Before we get into the specifics of the next steps, let’s discuss what being deferred actually means. A lot of students think that colleges defer them “to be nice” or “to not hurt your feelings.” This is not something that colleges do. When you are deferred, you are put into the regular decision pool of applicants. It means that the school wants to see how your application will hold up once everyone else applies.
But let’s face it, being deferred is tough. It puts students in an uncomfortable holding pattern during which they’re forced to half-heartedly consider new options while still holding out hope for their #1 school.
So, what’s the best thing to do once you’ve gotten deferred? Tell yourself that you aren’t getting in. Pretend that your dream school does not exist, or else you will be comparing all of the new additions to your list to a school that might ultimately reject you. It’s the only way that you’ll be able to truly focus on what needs to be done — and a lot needs to be done.
Friendly reminder: it’s going to be okay. A deferral is not the end of the world. It might, however, be the end of your winter break social life if you don’t take the necessary steps to get on track with the rest of your regular decision applications right away. Here’s what you should do:
1. Figure out where else you want to apply:
Get back to basics. Look at your test scores, grades, and extracurricular activities. You’re going to want to create a balanced list, which means that you need target, reach, and safety schools. Focus on the aspects of your dream school that you liked best, and see where else you can find those things. Look into specific programs, locations, and research opportunities that are similar to those at the school you were deferred from. And most importantly, be open during this process. A negative headspace will not help you here. Take the time to explore new opportunities, and you never know what you might find.
2. Revisit your common app essay:
Again, rough, but it might be a necessary evil. Every part of your college application should introduce a new aspect of yourself and your personality. We are not suggesting that you do a complete rewrite, rather evaluate what you have and make sure that you’re honing in on what’s most important. We’ve worked with TKG clients and have done massive rewrites, and we’ve also slightly tweaked certain essays. If you wrote your common app essay about an extracurricular activity (or anything else that appears elsewhere on your application,) then you are in the rewrite boat. We only have so many chances to tell colleges who we really are, so don’t double down on anything.
3. Make your way through the supplements:
The first thing you should do is write down all of the deadlines and then create a plan of attack. And stick to it. Next, figure out how you can streamline the process by looking for overlap in the supplements. Write out your origin story, which is a short story about the impetus of your academic interests. A lot of schools ask about activities or work experiences, so pick one and use that answer where you can. Under no circumstance should you skimp on the research process of the “Why X School” supplement, and you should never simply copy and paste. But work smarter, not harder.
4. Send a deferral package to your ED school in January or February.
Remember we told you to forget that your ED school exists? For this step, they are coming back into play. But here’s something important: this is a step that you should take ONLY IF you are still interested in the school (meaning that it’s still #1 on your list) and if you have taken actionable steps that would make you a stronger candidate. If both aren’t true for you, you’re wasting your time and the time of the admissions team.
Students that are ultimately accepted after being deferred have continued doing all of their extracurricular activities and more. They have taken them to the next level and improved (or at least maintained) their grades. Perhaps they have taken on something of more magnitude that builds onto their existing application.
If this applies to you, you should send them a deferral package. It’s a letter, and in that letter, you should reintroduce yourself to the admissions committee and remind them that X school is still your top choice. Tell them (again) why you want to go there, and it should be extremely specific. Do not include basic things such as weather and culture of the school, your list should include classes, professors, and research opportunities. You should also include your updated transcript and write about what you’ve accomplished since being deferred. Lastly, you might also include an additional letter of recommendation. But again, this is a step that you should only take after carefully considering whether or not X school (deferral school) is still your top choice.
We realize this is a lot to accomplish in a short amount of time, but it has to be done. Think of it as a very necessary (yet stressful and time-consuming) step that will hugely impact your future. Before you start, take a day off and come back regrouped and recharged.
We work with students who need help creating backup plans that they’re excited about. Contact us here if you’d like to work with someone one on one.