What does early decision deferred mean?

Hi all! I'm a high school junior wondering what it means when an early decision application gets deferred. Will I still be considered for the regular decision pool? What does this mean for my chances at getting accepted? Thanks for your help!

Hello there! It's great to see you're proactively looking into the admissions process. When an early decision (ED) application is deferred, it means that the admissions committee is not ready to make a final decision on your application during the early decision round. Instead, your application will be reconsidered with the regular decision applicant pool. Your application will be reviewed again without prejudice, meaning you still have a fair shot at being accepted. Being deferred doesn't necessarily indicate anything negative about your application; sometimes, colleges defer applicants because they're trying to assess the overall pool of candidates.

For your chances of being accepted after a deferral, it truly depends on the college and the strength of the regular applicant pool. Make sure to keep your grades up and continue with your extracurricular activities, as the college will still be looking at your accomplishments and character. Additionally, it wouldn't hurt to send an update letter to the school expressing your continued interest and any new achievements. Good luck!