What does it mean to defer an application for college admissions?

Hey all, I came across the term 'defer application' while browsing college forums, but I'm not exactly sure what it means. Can someone clarify the meaning of deferring an application in the context of college admissions?

Deferring an application in the context of college admissions refers to postponing your admission to a later semester or academic year. This can occur in two main scenarios:

1. Voluntary deferral: After being accepted, a student may choose to defer their enrollment for various reasons, such as taking a gap year, addressing personal or financial issues, or participating in work, internships or travel opportunities. In this case, the student contacts the college and requests a deferral, usually by submitting a written request explaining their reasons. Policies and conditions for granting deferrals vary from one institution to another. Some colleges may require you to pay an enrollment deposit, and they may have limits on the duration of the deferral. It's important to read up on a school's specific deferral policies and follow the necessary procedures.

2. Involuntary deferral: In the context of early decision or early action application processes, if a college is unable to make a final decision on an applicant's admission during the early round, they might "defer" the application to the regular decision pool. This means that the applicant's file will be reviewed again alongside the regular decision applicants before a final decision is made. It's important to note that being deferred in this scenario does not mean an applicant's chances for admission are reduced; it simply means that the admissions committee needs more time or context to make a decision.

When an application is deferred, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, it’s essential to stay in touch with the college and closely follow their instructions to provide any required updates or additional materials.