WHAT DOES “DEFER” MEAN?

Results from early decision and early action applications will be released to seniors soon.

What does “defer” mean?

12th Graders:

“Defer” can be one of the hardest responses to receive from a college or university, especially if you receive a defer from a school that you really like. To be deferred means that a school has not asked you to join their next class. Instead, the school has put your application into their regular decision application pool to be evaluated with all of the other students who apply to the school during regular decision. If you are still interested in a school that has deferred you, and the school accepts it, submit a letter of continued interest that updates the college about the strength of your academic progress and any new activities or awards that you have to report.

Then, most importantly, move forward with the rest of your college process.

Some schools defer a small number of students, making it unlikely but possible that you may be accepted regular decision at that school. However, some schools defer a large number of students. If you are deferred at a school along with a significant number of other students, your chances of being accepted during regular decision are low. Take time to reevaluate the schools on your regular decision application list. Keep the reach schools you were planning to apply to during regular decision on your list, but emphasize those schools on your list where you have a 50% or greater chance of admission. Prioritize creating and submitting strong applications to those schools before January.

11th Graders:

The college process can often be unpredictable. Next year, it is likely that you will receive a mix of good and bad news from the colleges that you apply to. To prepare yourself for next fall, explore a variety of different schools and develop a diverse list of colleges and universities with different acceptance rates to apply to next year.

If you would like help fine-tuning your regular decision application list, e-mail me:  michelle@samaracollegeadvising.com