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As a former Harvard Admissions Officer, I often hear from students and parents about their deferral experiences. While everyone hopes for an acceptance letter, the reality is that only a small percentage of Early Action applicants are admitted. For the Class of 2028, the Early Action acceptance rate was 8.74%.
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. Here’s what you need to know:
3 Early Action Outcomes at Harvard
If you applied Early Action to Harvard this fall, there are three possible outcomes:
What Does Deferred Mean?
Harvard’s official statement on deferrals explains:
“Competition for early admission to Harvard College has, in recent years, been especially rigorous. Given that more than 60,000 candidates apply from around the world, and the relatively modest size of each entering class (about 1,650 students), the Admissions Committee must act with great care in making Restrictive Early Action decisions. As a result, many strong applicants are deferred to the Regular Decision round for review.”
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. Harvard defers a significant portion of early applicants—sometimes up to 80%—so the competition remains fierce in the Regular Decision round. However, there are ways to improve your chances.
How Can You Improve Your Chances of Admission?
Harvard addresses this directly in their FAQ:
“In most cases, the essential details are already on file with the Admissions Committee. Additional information (sent via the Applicant Portal) should be limited to significant developments in your high school career. We will also expect to receive your Midyear School Report no later than February 1.”
This means Harvard already has what they need, but any significant new achievements or updates since you applied can help. Here’s what to focus on:
What About Your Other Applications?
Although you can’t change your Harvard materials, you can update applications for other schools. A deferral offers a chance to reassess and make last minute changes before early January deadlines.
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 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.”
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!
As a former Harvard Admissions Officer, I often hear from students and parents about their deferral experiences. While everyone hopes for an acceptance letter, the reality is that only a small percentage of Early Action applicants are admitted. For the Class of 2028, the Early Action acceptance rate was 8.74%.
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. Here’s what you need to know:
3 Early Action Outcomes at Harvard
If you applied Early Action to Harvard this fall, there are three possible outcomes:
What Does Deferred Mean?
Harvard’s official statement on deferrals explains:
“Competition for early admission to Harvard College has, in recent years, been especially rigorous. Given that more than 60,000 candidates apply from around the world, and the relatively modest size of each entering class (about 1,650 students), the Admissions Committee must act with great care in making Restrictive Early Action decisions. As a result, many strong applicants are deferred to the Regular Decision round for review.”
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. Harvard defers a significant portion of early applicants—sometimes up to 80%—so the competition remains fierce in the Regular Decision round. However, there are ways to improve your chances.
How Can You Improve Your Chances of Admission?
Harvard addresses this directly in their FAQ:
“In most cases, the essential details are already on file with the Admissions Committee. Additional information (sent via the Applicant Portal) should be limited to significant developments in your high school career. We will also expect to receive your Midyear School Report no later than February 1.”
This means Harvard already has what they need, but any significant new achievements or updates since you applied can help. Here’s what to focus on:
What About Your Other Applications?
Although you can’t change your Harvard materials, you can update applications for other schools. A deferral offers a chance to reassess and make last minute changes before early January deadlines.
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 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.”
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!
Former Admissions Officer, Harvard University
Former Assistant Dean, Stanford University
As a College Counselor I help students navigate the college admissions process. My goal is to help students stand out and get accepted to their top-choice schools.
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