Getting deferred from a college means your early application (Early Action or Early Decision) wasn't accepted outright, but it also wasn't rejected. Instead, the admissions committee postpones the decision, moving your application to the regular decision pool for review alongside all other applicants, typically in March or April.
Key Implications
A deferral keeps you in contention and signals potential interest, as colleges like Harvard defer many strong early applicants (75-80%) to compare against the full pool. It lifts any Early Decision binding commitment, freeing you to apply elsewhere. Unlike a denial, which ends your chances, deferral offers time to strengthen your case.
Deferred vs. Other Outcomes
- Denied : Final rejection; no further consideration.
- Waitlisted : Happens in regular decision, offering a spot only if enrolled students drop out—different from deferral's active review.
Next Steps
Send a letter of continued interest with senior-year updates, new achievements, or test scores if allowed. Check the college's specific policy, as some encourage this to boost odds.
