7,921 hopeful high school students applied early action to Harvard in 2023. 8.74% were admitted. 7.7% were rejected. 0.5% withdrew their applications. 83.06% were deferred.
What does getting “deferred” mean in college admissions? Well, you probably can guess it’s not as bad as being rejected. Also, look at those percentages again: Getting deferred is quite common.
What should you do if you’ve been deferred? Scream? Send a distraught email to the college’s admissions office? Prepare to attend the last school on your college list?
No. There’s no reason to panic. Why? That’s what we’ll cover below.
We’ll explain what deferred means, why colleges defer applicants, the difference between deferred vs waitlisted, and how you can improve your chances of still gaining admission.
Let’s begin.
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(click to skip ahead)What does deferred mean in college admissions?
Getting deferred means the admissions office liked your application. They think there’s a chance you’re a good fit for the incoming freshman class. But… They need more time to make a final decision.
Why the wait? There are a few potential reasons:
They can’t admit every early applicant. College admissions is a competitive process, and admissions departments need to keep space for applicants in the regular admission round to ensure fairness and class balance (and to meet institutional priorities).
They want to see more from you. This could include updates on your academic progress, such as senior year grades, or any significant achievements or activities since you submitted your early application.
They want to see how you compare to the rest of the application pool. By deferring your application, admissions committees can evaluate your academic profile alongside those of applicants in the regular admissions pool, ensuring they select a well-rounded incoming class.
Makes sense, right? We hope. But to be clear (and to ease any anxiety you’re feeling), we’ll add this…
Getting deferred does NOT mean you’re not good enough for that college. Stay out of that headspace. It’s not true.
Getting deferred also does NOT mean there’s no possibility you’ll get admitted. Typically, colleges offer admission to around 10% of students deferred during early application rounds (Though heads up that this can vary a lot from college to college).
So, there’s still a chance that come April or May you’ll receive an email saying, "Congratulations! We’re pleased to offer you admission to [college name]."
But, just so you’re prepared for anything, we do want to warn you—there’s also a chance you could be waitlisted after the regular admissions cycle.
What does waitlisted mean, and how is it different from deferred?
Deferred vs waitlisted
Getting deferred from a college means your application is neither accepted or rejected. Getting waitlisted for a college also means your application is neither accepted or rejected.
So, what’s the difference between deferred vs waitlist? Mostly, it’s about when you submit your application.
You can only get deferred if you apply early action, restrictive early action, or early decision to a college. When you’re deferred, the admissions office reviews your application again with the regular decision applications.
You can only be waitlisted during the regular admissions round.
There’s more.
Getting waitlisted means the college admissions office would like to offer you a spot in the freshman class. But currently, there’s no more space. To get off the waitlist, someone admitted to the college would need to reject their acceptance offer.
Is that possible? Yes.
For example, in recent years about 15% of people accepted to Harvard choose to go elsewhere. Many students get admitted to multiple colleges. Obviously those students can’t say yes to all of them. Someone will reject the offer to attend the school you’ve been waitlisted at, making it possible for the college to accept some students (potentially you) from the waitlist.
What do I do if I’m deferred?
Being deferred from a school you’ve pinned your hopes on can feel like the end of the world. But let us remind you: there’s still a chance you’ll get in during the regular decision application round. You’ll likely receive the final decision in April or May.
In the meantime, there’s still a lot you can do. So, pause. Breathe. You’re going to be okay. Panicking about being deferred is not a good use of your mental energy.
Instead, take the following steps that may boost your chances of still gaining admission.
Step 1 - Follow the college's instructions
Sometimes, colleges request additional information, recommendation letters, or updates from deferred applicants. Other times, colleges explicitly state that no further action is required.
Adhere to their guidelines precisely. Avoid the temptation to provide unnecessary updates, as this could potentially harm your chances rather than help them.
Step 2 - Write a letter of continued interest (if appropriate)
A letter of continued interest is a short email you can send to let the college know you’re still interested in attending and why.
We recommend sending a letter of continued interest if a college requests additional information or updates after you’ve been deferred.
Here's how you’d write the letter:
Express gratitude for the opportunity to provide an update on your continued interest.
Reiterate your enthusiasm for attending the college or university.
Provide any relevant updates since submitting your application, such as academic achievements, extracurricular activities, or personal developments.
Highlight specific aspects of the college or university that attract you and why you believe you would thrive there.
Close with appreciation for their time and consideration, and express hope for a positive outcome in the admissions process.
Want to see an example of a letter of continued interest, with analysis? Check out this guide: How to Write a Great Letter of Continued Interest.
Step 3 - Keep applying to your regular decision schools
Remember that there are many excellent colleges and universities out there, each offering unique opportunities for growth and learning.
By continuing to apply to other schools, you keep your options open and maximize your chances of securing admission somewhere you'll be happy.
So, stay proactive and focused on finding the right fit for you.
Final thoughts on getting deferred
While being deferred can feel disappointing, it's very much not the end of your college admissions journey.
It also doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough to attend a particular college. The admissions office will reevaluate your application alongside regular decision applicants.
While waiting for the final decision, continue working hard on your other college applications.
You may even discover that you’d prefer to attend another college more than the one that deferred your early application!
If you need support to ensure you're submitting the best applications possible, check out the resources on our College Application Hub.
Ameer Drane
Ameer is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about college admissions and career development. Prior to freelancing, Ameer worked for three years as a college admissions consultant at a Hong Kong-based education center, helping local high school students prepare and apply for top colleges and universities in the US. He has a B.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago and an M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from UCLA. When he’s not working, Ameer loves traveling, weight lifting, writing, reading, and learning foreign languages. He currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
Top values: Growth / Diversity / Empathy
