By Justin Neiman, former Assistant Dean at Stanford University‍

Deferred by Stanford

As a former Stanford Dean and Ivy League Admissions Officer, I often hear from students and parents about their deferral experiences from top universities. While everyone hopes for an acceptance letter, the reality is that only a small percentage of Early Action applicants are admitted to Stanford every year and if you applied Restrictive Early Action to Stanford this fall, you may find yourself with the outcome of a deferral.

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If you've been deferred, I understand how disappointing it can feel. You've poured your heart into your application, and it's natural to feel disheartened. However, a deferral doesn't mean your chances are over.

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Stanford Admissions Statistics

Stanford University does not currently publish specific statistics for its Restrictive Early Action (REA) admissions process. This is quite a different approach from MIT and some other peer institutions, which are very transparent with this data. Harvard, which has released its Early Action acceptance rate of 8.74% for the Class of 2028, is one such example. The only available admissions statistics for Stanford that have been released is their overall acceptance rate of 3.91% for the Class of 2028. Stanford’s Admissions Website does share that “Stanford’s philosophy is to make final decisions whenever possible. As a result, Stanford defers only a small percentage of Restrictive Early Action applications to Regular Decision.” What exactly this “small percentage” is, we can only make calculated guesses based on peer data.

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3 Early Action Outcomes at Stanford

If you applied Early Action to Stanford this fall, there are three possible outcomes:

• You are offered admission, and you have until May 1 to respond to your offer.
• You are not offered admission. This is a final decision, and you may not reapply in Regular Decision.  
• Your application is deferred to Regular Decision, and you will receive a final decision by early April.

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What can you do to improve your chances of admission?

Stanford officially states on its website that

If your application is deferred, you do not need to re-apply; you will be provided with a form to share any updates since your original application.

This means Stanford already has what they need, but any significant new achievements or updates since you applied can help. Here’s what to focus on:

1. Submit a Letter of Continued Interest/Deferral Letter:
   Reiterate your strong interest in attending Stanford. If Stanford 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 Stanford 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.