By applying early decision you’ve offered the college 100% commitment and devotion with no guarantees in return. After a nervous, lengthy wait a decision has arrived. Will it be the ecstasy of acceptance or the crushing blow of rejection? You’ve been…

Deferred.

While better than an outright rejection, being deferred can leave students feeling helpless and lacking further agency in the quest to win acceptance. This is simply not the case. Below are 5 things that you can do to improve your chances of being admitted in the regular admissions round.

1. If you haven’t already done so, draft a letter addressed to the Dean of Admission and to the admissions counselor assigned to your country, which (1) reiterates your intentions to enrol if admitted, and (2) restates why you believe the college is most suited to your interests and goals.  Be sure to reference specific courses, extracurricular activities, and/or research opportunities that you plan to pursue. Also, make sure that your letter strikes an upbeat and appreciative tone; doing so shows resilience and demonstrates your continued interest.
2. Solicit a letter of recommendation from someone who is able to offer a different and fresh perspective on your candidacy.  For example, if you’ve only submitted teacher recommendations thus far, consider sending a letter of recommendation from an extracurricular sponsor or work supervisor, who can attest to your abilities and work ethic outside of the classroom.
3. If your SAT, ACT and/or SAT Subject Tests constitute a relative weakness of your application, consider registering for an additional test or two. Standardized test scores still matter and improved results can go a long way toward improving your admission prospects. If you decide to take an additional exam, do so in January or February before your prospective colleges finalize their admission decisions.
4. Seek opportunities to earn additional recognition. If you’re a writer, send an article to your local newspaper; if you’re an artist, explore opportunities to exhibit your work; if you excel in math, enter a competition. Securing a competitive scholarship, distinguished award, or similar honor can often aid borderline applicants.
5. Study hard. Mid-semester grades are extremely important for deferred applicants and provide you with one last opportunity to exhibit scholastic promise and a trend of academic improvement. It is also important to note that a number of competitive colleges are willing to review January SAT and/or February ACT scores in their regular admissions processes, so if you’re not satisfied with your currents scores and believe improvement is possible, consider registering for one final test. 

Staying Realistic

Even if you dutifully adhere to the above advice, it’s important to remember that your first-choice school may still reject you in the regular admissions cycle. We simply advise that deferred applicants must quickly adopt a reality-based mindset. Continue to respectfully let your number one choice know that you still have an interest in them but also play the field.

There are countless institutions that can offer you a top-notch education. If your deferral turns into an acceptance, later on, that’s fantastic. If not, make sure that you are set-up to pursue a wonderful relationship with one of the many excellent schools that is just as excited about you as you are about them.

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