What does defer application mean in college admissions?

Hey everyone! I keep hearing people talk about 'deferred applications' in the context of college admissions, and I'm not really sure what this means. Can someone explain the concept to me and when it's typically used? Thanks so much in advance!

Hello! Great question. In the context of college admissions, "defer" usually refers to one of two situations:

1. Deferring an application decision: When you apply to a college through an Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED) program, the admissions committee might not have enough information to make a decision on your application during the early decision round. In this case, they may choose to "defer" your application to the Regular Decision (RD) pool. Crucially, deferral isn't the same thing as rejection - your application will be reconsidered along with the RD applications, and you'll receive a final decision (acceptance, waitlist, or rejection) later in the application cycle.

If your application is deferred, it's a good idea to write a letter of continued interest to maximize your chances of acceptance during the RD round; CollegeVine's blog contains detailed guidance on how to write this letter: https://blog.collegevine.com/deferred-or-waitlisted-tips-for-writing-a-letter-of-continued-interest.

2. Deferring enrollment: After you've been accepted to a college, you might decide that you want to take a gap year or need to delay your enrollment for some other reason (e.g., military service, medical issues). In this situation, you can request that the college allows you to "defer" your enrollment. If the college grants your request, your admission will be delayed for a specific period of time, usually one year. After that, you can enroll without having to reapply.

Both of these situations demonstrate how the term "defer" can be used in the college admissions process. The first scenario relates to your application being postponed for a decision, while the second scenario involves delaying your actual enrollment at the college. I hope this information clears up your confusion!