Getting deferred from EA—what does it mean?

Hey all, I was just wondering what it actually means to get deferred when applying Early Action to a college. Could someone break down the process and what my chances are after being deferred? Appreciate the help!

Getting deferred from Early Action (EA) means that your application will be reconsidered during the Regular Decision (RD) round instead of receiving a direct admit or deny during the EA round. It's important not to lose hope as your application still has a chance of being accepted during the RD round. Here's a breakdown of the process:

1. You apply Early Action to a college.

2. The admissions committee reviews your application.

3. Instead of accepting or denying, the committee decides to defer your application.

4. Your application now moves to the RD round, where it will be reviewed alongside all the RD applicants.

5. The admissions committee will make a final decision on your application during this RD round: admit, waitlist, or deny.

As for your chances after being deferred, it widely varies depending on the specific college and the applicant pool in a given year. Some schools have higher admit rates for deferred applicants, while others might admit significantly fewer deferred applicants compared to the RD pool. Keep in mind that many factors (such as new application materials, changes in the applicant pool, or shifting institutional priorities) can influence admission decisions for deferred candidates.

Now that you've been deferred, you should:

- Update the college with any significant accomplishments, improvements in your grades, or additional awards since submitting your EA application.

- If you haven't already, send a letter of continued interest to the admissions office, expressing your strong desire to attend the school if you're accepted.

- Continue applying to other schools that interest you to make sure you have a diverse offering of options.

Stay positive, and remember that being deferred is not the end of the road. You still have a chance during the RD round and should continue working hard to maximize your chances of being admitted to the school of your choice. Good luck!