Deferred in Early Decision or Early Action: Next Steps

You applied early, hoping for an answer in December. Instead you got a letter saying that your application is being deferred. It is not the news you wanted, but it is not a no either. For many students, a deferral is a confusing limbo: you must wait for a decision that may not come until spring. The best response is to treat it as a prompt to act, not to despair.

This guide explains what a deferral means and what to do next. Policies vary by school and year, so follow the instructions in your deferral letter. This is general information.

What a deferral means

When a school defers you, it has chosen not to decide yet. Your application moves to the regular decision pool, where it is reviewed again alongside new applicants. The school may want to see midyear grades, updated information or more of the applicant pool before deciding.

A deferral is different from:

• An acceptance: you will not have a place unless you are later admitted.
• A rejection: you remain under consideration.
• A waitlist: a waitlist comes after the regular decisions, if the school does not have a place for you at that time.

How many deferred students are eventually admitted varies widely by school and year. Ask admissions if the numbers are available.

First steps

1. Read the letter carefully. Note any instructions, deadlines and whether updates are allowed.
2. Take a day to process. It is normal to feel disappointed.
3. Talk to your counselor. They may know how the school handles deferrals.
4. Review your list. Make sure it includes realistic and secure options.
5. Keep working on your other applications.
6. Keep your grades strong, since schools will ask for midyear reports.

Are you still bound?

If you applied early decision, you agreed to attend if admitted. If you are deferred, you are usually released from that agreement unless the school says otherwise. You can apply to other schools. If you later receive an offer from the school in the regular round, the early decision commitment generally no longer applies. Check the school's policy to be sure. Our guide to early decision vs early action explains the commitment.

If you applied early action, you were never bound.

Should you send an update?

Many schools welcome updates from deferred students, and some invite them. Consider sending one if:

• The school allows or encourages it.
• You have meaningful new information: improved grades, awards, projects, new leadership or experiences.
• You are still very interested.

A short letter of continued interest can restate your enthusiasm and add specific updates. Our guide to writing a letter of continued interest includes a template. Keep it to one page, and send it once. If the school says it does not accept additional materials, respect that.

What to include

• Thanks for considering you.
• A clear statement of interest, and that you would attend if admitted, if true.
• Updates: midyear grades, achievements, projects.
• A specific detail about the school that appeals to you.
• A brief close.

Avoid repeating your application, begging or exaggerating.

Strengthen your regular decision applications

The deferral may also be a chance to improve your other applications.

1. Review your essays. Are they specific and honest? Ask a teacher for feedback.
2. Check your supplements for each school.
3. Ask recommenders if they can update letters.
4. Update your activities list with recent achievements.
5. Consider adding a safer option, if your list needs balance.
6. Check deadlines and submit on time.

Our guide to reach, match and safety schools can help you review your list.

Money and aid

Keep applying for scholarships and completing aid forms. Aid deadlines often fall before regular decisions, so do not miss them. If you are deferred, you may not know your aid situation at that school until the regular decision. Compare offers from other schools when they arrive. If you need to decide before you hear, secure a place at another school.

Managing expectations

It is natural to hope. But plan for several outcomes.

• If you are admitted: you will have a choice to make, and you can compare offers.
• If you are waitlisted: you can follow the waitlist process.
• If you are rejected: you will have other options.

Having a plan reduces the pressure of waiting. Our guides to waitlisted: what next and handling rejection cover the other results.

Handling the waiting

• Limit checking email.
• Keep up your schoolwork and activities.
• Spend time with friends.
• Focus on what you can control.
• Talk to someone if worry builds.
• Remember that the decision does not define you.

The wait can be long, but it will end.

Communicating with the school

Be polite and patient. Do not call repeatedly. If you have a specific question, such as when updates are due, ask once. Use official channels. Avoid having others contact the school on your behalf, unless the school invites it.

International students

International applicants should consider timelines for visas and funding, and be ready to act if an offer arrives late. Ask the school about aid availability and deadlines. Keep documents ready.

A worked example

Imagine a student deferred from her early decision school in December. She reads the letter, which says that updates are welcome until the end of January. She talks to her counselor and decides to send a short letter confirming that the school is still her first choice, with her midyear grades and a note about a research project she completed in the autumn. She keeps writing supplements for the regular decision schools on her list and submits them well before the January deadlines.

In March, she is admitted to two of her regular decision schools and waitlisted at the deferring school. She compares aid and visits again, then chooses between her offers, with the waitlist as a bonus if it comes through. The deferral was disappointing, but she had a plan.

What schools look at in the second review

In the regular pool, schools may look more closely at your midyear grades, the strength of your courses, the quality of your writing and how you compare with the broader applicant group. They may also consider whether you have shown strong interest. Update the school with significant achievements that are new since you applied, and make sure your counselor sends midyear reports on time.

Mistakes to avoid while deferred

Do not stop working on other applications. Do not send several long letters. Do not contact admissions weekly. Do not let your grades slip. Do not accept an offer elsewhere with a binding commitment unless you are sure. Keep your behavior and communications professional, and keep your options open until you have an offer you want to accept.

Using the time to improve your story

A deferral can prompt you to look at your application again with fresh eyes. Reread your main essay and ask whether it shows who you are. Check that your activities list is accurate and current. If you have been involved in something new since you applied, find a natural way to mention it in the updates you are allowed to send. Ask a teacher to read your letter and tell you what impression it gives.

Also think about the counselor's role. Ask your counselor to send midyear grades promptly, and to share any context that would help the school understand your record. Counselors can sometimes call or email admissions on your behalf in a professional way. Ask whether this is appropriate for your school, and follow the counselor's advice about contact. Avoid having parents contact the school unless invited, since it can appear pushy.

Finally, plan the weeks ahead. Keep a calendar of regular decision deadlines, scholarship dates and the dates when midyear reports are due. If you are deferred at your first choice, make sure that you are excited about at least some of your other schools. Visit them if you can, and look at what they offer.

Common mistakes

• Assuming the deferral means rejection or acceptance.
• Sending repeated updates.
• Neglecting other applications.
• Letting grades slip.
• Ignoring the letter's instructions.
• Having no backup plan.

A quick checklist

• Have I read the deferral instructions and noted deadlines?
• Have I confirmed whether I am still bound?
• Have I decided whether to send an update?
• Have I strengthened my other applications?
• Do I have a balanced list and a plan?

Final thoughts

A deferral means "not yet." Use the time to keep your record strong, send a thoughtful update if allowed and finish your other applications. Whatever the outcome, you will have good options.