What to Do If You're Deferred

By now, many students who applied Early Decision or Early Action have received their results. If yours landed in the frustrating middle category: deferred, you’re probably feeling confused, disappointed, and unsure what (if anything) you should do next.

First, take a breath. A deferral is not a rejection! It means the admissions committee found your application strong enough to keep in the pool, but not strong enough yet to admit outright. That’s not nothing, especially in an increasingly competitive admissions landscape. That said, a deferral also isn’t a promise. The key now is to be strategic, realistic, and proactive without overstepping.

Step 1: Read the Deferral Letter Carefully

This sounds obvious, but it’s critical. Some colleges are very specific about what they want next: first-term grades, a midyear report, an additional form, or a brief update. Others explicitly say they do not want extra materials. Follow their instructions exactly. Admissions officers are busy, and ignoring guidelines is one of the fastest ways to hurt your case.

Step 2: Keep Your Grades Strong

If there’s one universal rule after a deferral, it’s this: your senior-year grades matter more now than ever. Colleges will look closely at your first-semester performance to see whether you maintained (or even improved!) your academic momentum. A strong upward trend can help. A dip can quietly take you out of the running.

Step 3: Consider an Update Letter (If Allowed)

If the school welcomes updates, a short letter can be helpful. Think 1–2 concise paragraphs, not an essay redux. Your goals:

• Reaffirm why the school is a strong academic and personal fit

• Share any new information (a leadership role, award, research, performance, improved grades)

• Clarify continued interest without sounding desperate or over-the-top. Avoid dramatic “dream school” language or emotional appeals. Calm confidence beats pleading every time.

Step 4: Follow the Rules—Strictly

Some colleges welcome updates, recommendations, or portfolios. Others don’t. Sending extra materials when they’re not invited doesn’t show initiative; it shows you didn’t read the instructions! When in doubt, err on the side of restraint.

Step 5: Treat Regular Decision Seriously

This is crucial. One of the biggest mistakes students make after a deferral is mentally “waiting” for that early school while rushing or half-heartedly completing the rest of their applications. Statistically, most deferred students are ultimately denied in Regular Decision, especially at highly selective schools. You should proceed as if your RD list is where you’ll land, and make those applications as strong as possible!

Step 6: Loop in Your Counselor

Your school counselor may need to send a midyear report, updated transcript, or additional context. Make sure they know about the deferral and any requests from the college.

The Bottom Line

A deferral keeps the door open, but often only a crack. The smartest approach is to do what’s in your control: follow instructions to the letter, and emotionally prepare to move forward, even as you keep yourself in the running. Hope is fine, preparation is better!