Deferred College Applications: What Does It Mean?

Hey, I recently received a letter saying that my application was deferred from one of my top colleges. I'm feeling a bit confused and honestly, kinda stressed. What exactly does being 'deferred' mean for my chances of getting accepted?

Being deferred in the college application process means that the college has neither accepted nor rejected your application during the Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) round. Instead, they are postponing their decision and will evaluate your application along with the regular decision applicants.

It's normal to feel stressed or confused, but remember that a deferral is not a rejection. College admissions officers simply want more time to review your application in context with the larger regular decision applicant pool. Now, your application will be reconsidered alongside the remaining pool of applicants, and you'll receive a final decision, typically by April.

Your chances of ultimately being accepted vary by college. Some colleges may offer admission to a significant number of deferred applicants in the regular decision round, while others may admit only a handful. It's important to continue pursuing other college options while also remaining optimistic about the college that deferred you.

In the meantime, you may want to research and apply to other schools in case you don't get accepted at this particular one. Also, consider updating the deferred college with any new achievements or accomplishments since submitting your application. These updates could potentially strengthen your application and improve your chances during the regular decision round. Reach out to the admissions office to find out their preferred method for submitting additional information.

To sum it up, being deferred is not a rejection but rather an opportunity for your application to be reviewed once more during the regular decision timeframe. Stay positive, keep exploring other options, and make sure to update your deferred college with any new developments in your academic or extracurricular achievements. Good luck!