Why would a college defer you?

A student is deferred when they've applied through Early Action or Early Decision and college admissions officers decide that there isn't enough information or context to grant them a full acceptance. Rather than reject the student, the application is essentially put on pause until the regular decision admission cycle.

Do deferred students usually get accepted?

Some estimates say that most colleges will accept at least 5-10% of deferred students in regular decision pools. Others estimate that the deferral acceptance rate is often approximately equal to the regular decision acceptance rate. However, these estimates are overarching and don't apply to all schools.

Why would a college defer someone?

If you've been deferred, usually it's because the college wants to see how your application compares with applications submitted by students applying regular decision. After considering your application in the regular decision round, you can be accepted, rejected or waitlisted.

What are good reasons for deferral?

What to do if you are deferred from a college?

What to Do if You Get Deferred

Is a deferral basically a rejection?

A rejection means the student was denied admission. However, a deferral means the student's application is still being considered. Being waitlisted, on the other hand, means the student will be admitted if space becomes available.

How likely is it to get accepted after being deferred?

An applicant's overall chances are similar after being deferred or waitlisted. About 10% of deferred applicants and about 10% of waitlisted applicants ultimately get in.

Do deferred applicants have a better chance?

After a deferral, the likelihood of admission varies depending on the college and year. Most schools don't release acceptance data for deferred students. There are estimates that colleges will accept between 5-10% of deferred students during regular decision, but it really depends on the school.

Do colleges defer overqualified students?

While there is some anecdotal evidence that overqualified students get rejected, these students aren't usually turned down because of their better-than-average grades or test scores. Most likely, the overqualified student isn't the right fit for a school or they haven't shown enough interest to admission officers.

Is it better to be deferred or waitlisted?

In general, you can assume that your odds are better if you've been deferred rather than waitlisted. Deferred students are reconsidered during the regular decision round and should have about the same chance as other regular decision applicants.

How long can you defer in college?

It's a way to defer, or push back, your entry to college. For example, if you're admitted to the fall semester, you can defer your admission to the following fall. Deferral is usually for a year or less. Many students defer so they can take a break from studies after high school.

Why did Harvard defer me?

If you were deferred, you are academically qualified to go to Harvard. You have the extracurriculars and areas of focus they are looking for, and they're interested in comparing you against the regular decision applicants, but they aren't searching for a reason to say yes. They are waiting for a reason to say no.

Is defer better than rejection?

Being deferred from college doesn't mean you've been denied acceptance. Being waitlisted means you are on a list reserve because spots are filled. Very selective colleges defer as many as 70-80% of early applicants. If you take important steps, you still have a chance for admissions.

Why do colleges defer instead of reject?

A student is deferred when they've applied through Early Action or Early Decision and college admissions officers decide that there isn't enough information or context to grant them a full acceptance. Rather than reject the student, the application is essentially put on pause until the regular decision admission cycle.

How many people get deferred then accepted to Harvard?

Historically, about 10% of students who Harvard defers ultimately earn admission in Regular Decision. While this data point can vary from year to year, it's rarely released by the school. But, over the years, Ivy Coach's sources in Harvard's admissions office have confirmed that 10% is the general rule of thumb.

Can you get deferred and then waitlisted?

If you receive a deferral letter, it means the school will review your application again at a later date and decide to accept, decline, or waitlist you at that time.

Can a college deny you after acceptance?

Colleges do have the right to revoke an admission offer. This contingency is often written into the acceptance letter. Colleges take their admissions decisions seriously, though, and they try to avoid revoking acceptances at all costs.

Can you apply to other colleges after deferring?

You have to enroll in a university before you can reapply to a university. You can accept an offer and request for a deferment, and if a deferment is granted, during the deferment you can apply to other universities; however, you cannot enroll in another university and keep a deferment.

What is it called when colleges reject overqualified students?

So what is “yield protection”? Also known as “Tufts Syndrome”, it's colleges' tendency to reject overqualified applicants in fear that they will turn down the college in favor of a higher-rated school to which they've also been accepted, thereby decreasing the college's yield.

How do you increase chances after being deferred?

Why am I getting deferred so much?

Colleges defer students because they are not ready to make a final decision, may have had a large number of early applications or may expect a large number of applications in the Regular Decision round and want to keep spots open for the right candidates. It does not mean an automatic rejection at all.

How can I increase my chances of acceptance after deferral?

How do you write a letter to colleges after being deferred?

​​How to format a letter of continued interest

First, begin with “Dear [the name of the college admissions officer you are writing to].” Then, thank them for their consideration. Explain that you are still interested in attending their school and that this school is your first choice.

Why does Harvard defer so many applicants?

When you apply in the early action pool, Harvard will deny, defer, or accept your application. Getting “deferred” just means that Harvard still thinks you're pretty neat-o and wants to look at your application again during the regular decision pool.

What is the risk of deferral?

Project deferral risk is the potential for a project to be delayed or postponed due to external factors. This type of risk can arise from a variety of sources, including changes in customer requirements, delays in obtaining necessary resources, or unexpected events that require additional time and effort to address.