By Justin Neiman, Former Harvard Admissions Officer

What To Do If You Are Deferred

Many universities will be releasing admissions decisions this week as part of the early application review process. For high school seniors, this can be an especially stressful and tense time as they await the results. While social media will undoubtedly be filled with celebration videos from the fortunate students who receive offers of admission, the reality of selective college admissions is that the majority of applicants will face mixed news—a deferral to the spring admissions process.

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What Does Deferred Mean?

In practical terms, your application is still under consideration. The admissions committee wasn’t ready to offer you a spot but wants to review your candidacy alongside the full Regular Decision pool. Your application will undergo another evaluation and you may be offered admission during the next review process.

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5 Tips for How to Handle a Deferral

As a former Harvard Admissions Officer, I understand the mix of emotions that comes with a deferral. Here are five tips to help you navigate this process and maximize your chances of eventual admission:

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1. Assess the Deferral

A deferral can mean different things at different universities. Research the specific deferral statistics for the school you applied to:

• How many applicants were deferred?
• What percentage of deferred applicants are ultimately admitted?

For example:

• Yale: In recent years, Yale has been shrinking its deferral pool, which could increase your chances.
• Georgetown: Traditionally, Georgetown will choose to defer all early students who are not offered admission rather than reject them. As a result, you are part of a large pool of deferred candidates.

Understanding the context will help you set realistic expectations and tailor your next steps accordingly.

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2. Understand the School's Policies

Each university has specific guidelines for deferred applicants. Many schools publish FAQs explaining what steps you can take, including:

• Whether submitting additional materials (e.g., mid-year grade reports or updates) is encouraged.
• The timeline for any updates or actions.

Read these instructions carefully to ensure your response aligns with the school’s expectations.

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3. Submit a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)

Most schools allow deferred applicants to submit a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI). This letter provides an opportunity to:

• Reiterate your enthusiasm for the school and why it remains your top choice.
• Share new achievements, awards, or developments that have occurred since your initial application.

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4. Reassess and Strengthen Other Applications

While you can't change your early application, you can still refine your Regular Decision applications. Review your essays, ensuring they are compelling and highlight your strengths. Consider whether your college list is balanced and if there are any strategic updates you can make to increase your competitiveness.

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5. Stay Positive and Focused

A deferral is not a rejection, but rather a chance to strengthen your application. Maintain a positive outlook, continue to excel academically, and use this experience as motivation to refine your strategy.

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A Word of Encouragement

Deferrals can be disheartening, but they’re often a turning point. Many students find success during the Regular Decision round, sometimes even gaining acceptance to schools they once thought out of reach.

I like to share this quote from a past student to just offer some 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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