By Justin Neiman, Former Ivy League Admissions Officer

Georgetown Deferral Statistics

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Georgetown’s Early Action program operates differently compared to some of its top-tier peers. Last year, Georgetown accepted 881 out of 8,584 Early Action applicants, resulting in an acceptance rate of 10%. This rate is consistent with Georgetown’s Regular Decision acceptance rate. Unlike many elite colleges, which often show significantly higher acceptance rates for Early Action or Early Decision applicants, Georgetown intentionally maintains relatively even chances between the two processes.

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According to Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Charles Deacon:

“We have always had a policy that says we will not favor early action, because we think the pool is slightly balanced toward the more successful, more affluent students who are ready earlier.”

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Additionally, acceptance rates vary slightly by school within Georgetown:

• McDonough School of Business: 9.4%
• Georgetown College of Arts and Sciences: 9.9%
• School of Health: 11.2%
• Walsh School of Foreign Service: 11.7%
• School of Nursing: 12.9%

Understanding these nuances can provide better context for your application outcomes.

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Deferred by Georgetown

As a former Ivy League Admissions Officer, I frequently hear from students and parents about the challenges of deferral from top universities. While receiving a deferral can be disappointing, it’s important to remember that a deferral is not the end of the road.

If you applied Restrictive Early Action to Georgetown and received a deferral, it’s natural to feel disheartened after putting so much effort into your application. However, a deferral means your chances of admission are still alive.

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Early Action Outcomes at Georgetown

If you applied Early Action to Georgetown, there are two possible outcomes:

1. You are offered admission.
2. Your application is deferred to Regular Decision.

Unlike many other top universities, Georgetown does not deny students under its Early Action program. Instead:

“If a student is not admitted under EA, his or her application is automatically given a full second review during Regular Decision.”

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What Does “Deferred” Mean?

Being deferred means your application is still under consideration. The admissions committee chose not to offer you a spot during Early Action but will review your candidacy alongside the full Regular Decision pool. Your application will undergo another comprehensive evaluation.

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What Are Your Chances During Regular Decision?

According to Georgetown Admissions, typically about 15% of candidates deferred from Early Action are admitted during the spring review. This statistic underscores that while being deferred is not a guarantee of admission, it’s also not an outright rejection. You still have an opportunity to strengthen your application and make a compelling case for admission.

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What Can You Do to Improve Your Chances of Admission?

1. Submit a Letter of Continued Interest/Deferral Letter:
   Reiterate your strong interest in attending Georgetown. If Georgetown is still your first choice, let that be known. A letter of continued interest signals that you remain enthusiastic and ready to enroll if accepted.
2. Share Significant Updates:
   There may be relevant updates or new information that have come to light since you first submitted your application in October. Some possible information to share:
   • A major award or recognition.
   • A paper or project that gained new traction or publication opportunities.
   • Leadership roles or community initiatives that have grown significantly.
3. Submit Your Midyear Report:
   Strong grades can strengthen your candidacy. Make sure your midyear transcript reflects your continued academic success.

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What About Your Other Applications?

Although you can’t change your Georgetown materials, you can update applications for other schools. A deferral offers a chance to reassess and make last minute changes before early January deadlines.

• Review your essays: Could your Common App essay be stronger or more compelling? Does it highlight the most important aspects of your candidacy? Are supplemental essays tailored to each school and filled with specific details?
• Revisit your college list: Is it balanced, with a range of target, reach, and safety schools?
• Make strategic updates: Are there additions you can make to your application to increase its competitiveness and quality?

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Stay Positive and Focused

A deferral is not a rejection—it’s an invitation to stay in the game. Keep excelling academically, remain proactive, and use this as an opportunity to refine your strategy. Remember, many successful students use setbacks as fuel for future success.

I like to share this quote from a past student to just offersome perspective:

“If I hadn’t been deferred in the early round, I wouldn’t have realized how much my application needed improvement. I made changes and ended up getting into all of my top schools during regular decision. It was a blessing in disguise.”

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Need Help or Advice?

‍If you have questions or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you through every step of the process!

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About the Author

Justin Neiman served as an undergraduate admissions officer at Harvard University and as an Assistant Dean at Stanford University. With over a decade of experience working at two of the nation’s most competitive universities, Justin brings a unique understanding of the selective admissions process.

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