Being deferred from early decision?

Hey guys! I recently applied to my dream school through early decision, and I'm a little bit stressed. If I don't get accepted, is it possible to be deferred to the regular decision applicant pool?

Absolutely, it's quite common for early decision applicants who are not accepted outright to be deferred to the regular decision pool. This means the college sees potential in your application but wants to review it in the context of the entire applicant pool. If deferred, it's essential not to consider it a rejection but rather as an opportunity to strengthen your application.

You might consider sending a letter of continued interest to the admissions office, affirming that the school remains your top choice and updating them on any new achievements or accolades since your application. Also, ensure your senior year grades remain strong, as colleges will look at these when reconsidering your application during the regular decision process. An example might be if you've become the president of a club or received new academic honors, which would be worth mentioning in your letter.

Stay optimistic and proactive. Being deferred is not the end of the road; many students are ultimately admitted to their dream schools after a deferral. Keep in mind to also have other applications ready for regular decision to other schools you're interested in, which not only provides backup options but also shows you're serious about your future college plans no matter what the outcome.