Have you been deferred?
For students who were hoping to have an early acceptance to one of their top college choices, a deferral can be a frustrating development during the college application process. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you await a final decision:
Don’t despair! The number of applicants at many colleges continues to climb each year, and early action/decision application rates are soaring. Just because you were not admitted in the early round DOES NOT mean you are not a competitive applicant. Many successful early applicants are athletes, legacy candidates, or those with very specialized skills sought by a specific college. If you applied to a variety of colleges, you will likely have SEVERAL excellent options in the spring, so don’t allow yourself to develop a mindset that you can only be happy at one school or program.
Stay focused! If you’re like many seniors, you may notice the beginning of the common condition known as “senioritis!” While it may be tempting to ease up on your hard work, colleges will be receiving updated transcripts in the spring, and this is not the time to begin slacking off, especially if you are hoping to turn a deferral into an admittance!
Stay on the radar! If you are still interested in attending the college where you’ve been deferred, I recommend reaching out to your Admissions Officer with a polite email. While you DO NOT simply want to rehash what you’ve already included in your original application, it would be an excellent idea to include any of the following items in your email:
indicate that you are still very interested in attending if this school is a top choice or renew your commitment to attending the college if accepted (but only if you’re still positive that it remains your top choice)
new experiences or accomplishments you have had during your senior year that would enhance your application
an update if you’ve had the chance to visit the campus (be as specific as possible about significant experiences such as a professor who impressed you during a class observation or a student or activity with whom you connected)
