Why Were You Deferred from the Early Decision School? Sarah O'Neill Chester County Teacher Supreme Editing

Sarah O’Neill Chester County Teacher Supreme Editing 

There are a few reasons why you may have been deferred for your Early Decision school. Below is a list of reasons and an action plan on what you can do about it now. First, in college admissions, “deferred” refers to when an applicant who applied under an Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) plan is not accepted or rejected immediately. Instead, the admissions committee postpones its decision and reviews the application again during the Regular Decision round. This means the applicant is GOING TO BE CONSIDERED for admission, but the application will be evaluated alongside the larger pool of regular applicants. While being deferred can feel deflating, rest assured that it still offers a chance for acceptance! Top 10 Reasons Why You Might Have Been Deferred 1. High Competition The truth is, colleges, on average, receive thousands of ED applications every year. They definitely like ED applicants because the student is forced to commit to it no matter what. Last year, 96,382 ED applications were submitted. Think of it this way, “Northwestern University received approximately 5,200 Early Decision (ED) applications for the Class of 2028, which was similar to the previous year. The ED acceptance rate was estimated to be around 19%, a slight decrease from the previous year’s estimated 20%.” Colleges may have an overly-abundant amount of strong candidates during the ED round and want to compare you to the regular decision applicants. Yield Management: To avoid over-enrolling, some colleges defer qualified students until they have a clearer picture of their overall applicant pool. 2. Concerned about your GPA Admissions committees might want to see your first-semester senior year grades to confirm that your academic performance remains strong, so hopefully you continued to do well. Depending on your school’s rigor, they also want to know that you fare well within that realm. Make sure you have taken the most rigorous courses and have maintained a high GPA. If, say, sophomore year your GPA was low due to extenuating circumstances, it may hurt your chances. 3. Test Scores So/So Test Scores: If your SAT/ACT scores are on the lower side of the accepted range, colleges might defer you to see how you compare in the RD round. 4. Overarching Bigger Picture Incomplete Picture: Your application may have strengths but lacks specifics that THAT particular school is looking for like extracurricular depth or leadership roles that colleges hope to see in regular decision applicants. 5. Demonstrated Interest Uncertain Commitment: If they are unsure whether you are likely to enroll if accepted, they might defer you. Don’t be wishy-washy. 6. University/College Priorities Colleges used to consider DIVERSITY but not now. But, they do have other priorities. “The court case that struck down affirmative action in college admissions was Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina. The Supreme Court ruled on June 29, 2023 that these schools’ admissions programs violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Therefore, they will consider if your application aligns well with their values, service, and other factors. If your application looks identical to someone else’s, your ESSAYS might help you gain advantage in the RD round. 7. Early Application Policies Restrictive Early Action (REA) Policies: Some colleges with REA policies may defer strong candidates who applied early but are not allowed to commit until regular decision timelines. 8. Essay or Application Strengths Generic essays produced by CHATGPT or other bots that lack a sense of personal voice may be flagged. PUT EFFORT into your pieces! Weak Application: Missing details, rushed applications, or weak recommendations may raise concerns for admissions committees. 9. Class Size Constraints Self-explanatory and not much you can do about this one. 10. Red Flags Disciplinary Concerns: behavior, character, or integrity could lead to deferral. Lack of Growth: If your application doesn’t show growth or progress, colleges may want to wait for additional information. How to Respond if you were Deferred: Do these to IMPROVE your chances in the RD round. Send a Love Letter: Reaffirm your high love for the school and highlight any new accomplishments you have had since applying! Show you are active. Update Your Newest Achievements: Provide updated grades, awards, or significant achievements. Submit More Materials: If allowed, send another recommendation letter or an improved portfolio or an updated resume. Strengthen Your Academics: Focus on excelling in your coursework and standardized tests. Understanding the reasons behind deferrals can help you approach the next steps accordingly! Thank you for reading!