If you opened your early action or early decision decision and saw the word deferred, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of the running. A deferral can feel confusing, frustrating, and emotionally draining, especially after months of hard work and anticipation. But it’s important to know this: a deferral is not a rejection. It’s a pause, and often, an opportunity.
Here’s how to understand what a deferral really means—and what you should do next.
What a Deferral Actually Means
When you’re deferred, the college is saying:
- We see your potential.
- We’re not ready to make a final decision yet.
- We want to review your application again in the regular decision pool.
This means your application will be reconsidered alongside regular decision applicants, often with additional context like senior-year grades or new accomplishments.
1. Take a Breath
It’s okay to be disappointed. Many students interpret a deferral as bad news, but colleges defer strong applicants every year. With record-breaking application numbers and an additional layer of uncertainty, admissions offices often need more time to compare applicants across a larger pool. In many cases, your application is still very much in contention.
Give yourself permission to feel what you feel—but don’t let disappointment turn into discouragement.
2. Keep Your Grades Strong
Senior-year grades matter more than many students realize. Admissions officers want to see that you’re finishing strong academically, especially in rigorous courses.
3. Send a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
If the college allows it, this is your opportunity to reaffirm your enthusiasm for the school. In many cases, the best timing is in the new year—typically late January to February—though some schools may provide a specific deadline. Be sure to follow each college’s instructions carefully, and reach out to your College Calm counselor for guidance and support.
A strong LOCI should:
Express genuine continued interest. Many schools do not ask applicants to explain why they want to attend, so this may be your chance to share what draws you to the institution—especially if that information is not already clear in your application.
Include meaningful updates. This might include improved grades, new leadership roles, awards, projects, or other accomplishments. If you anticipate updates later in the year, it’s okay to give yourself time to share them thoughtfully.
Consider an additional letter of recommendation (if permitted). If you did not previously submit a letter from an employer, coach, or teacher in a specific subject area (such as the arts), this round may be a good opportunity to provide that added context—if the school allows it.
Be concise, specific, and sincere.
Avoid restating your entire application—focus on what’s new and why this school still matters to you.
4. Revisit and Strengthen Your College List
A deferral is a good reminder to stay balanced. Continue working on regular decision applications with care and optimism. There are many colleges where you can thrive, even if your original first choice feels uncertain right now.
A Bigger Perspective
Some of the most successful, fulfilled college students were once deferred—or even denied—by their early-choice schools. College admissions is not a measure of your worth, intelligence, or future success. A deferral simply means: your story isn’t finished yet. So, stay engaged, hopeful, and open-minded. We have been doing this for a long time, and the process always seems to work out in the end.
