Getting deferred from your dream school can be hard -- especially if it’s a great school like Cornell. Don’t fear, you’ll get through this. Take a moment to feel your feelings, have a snack, and then jump into this guide to get some ideas on how to best strategize other applications and how to best handle the deferral.
Cornell no longer posts their admissions data, in order to mitigate what they call “metric mania.” This article from The Cornell Sun alludes to the class of 2024 having a slightly higher admission rate for Early Decision than in past years, but no mention of how many students were deferred. From what we know about other Ivy League schools, students who are deferred have a slightly higher chance in the regular admissions round.
There isn’t an exception to Cornell -- so we have this handy guide to help you figure out how to best strategize for the rest of Regular Decision.
College List
Look, we know you really wanted to go to Cornell. And maybe you put all your hopes and dreams into that one Early Decision application. Or maybe you only applied to one or two more schools. Either way, you need to make sure to apply to at least ten other schools.
A good college list will be balanced, with three safety schools, four target schools, and three reach schools. More on how to determine what school is which here. But when you brainstorm your college list, you need to get specific with what drew you to Cornell in the first place. Look at schools with similar sizes, campuses, cultures, locations, and academic programs. Really think of places that you could be happy at, places where you could accomplish your academic goals and have the college experience you’re looking for.
Supplements
Once you’ve completed your college list, you’re ready to step into the world of supplements. Not GNC, but college essay supplements. Take a look at all the supplements for all the schools on your college list, you’ll notice that many of them reuse themes like community, challenges, and why you want to attend their school. On our blog, you’ll find tons of posts about how to tackle each individual school’s supplements.
It can be hard starting these from scratch, so just think about the question and start putting some words down to get yourself started. Once you find the story you want to tell, getting the rest of the essay together will feel like a breeze. Have a teacher or a friend look over your supplement for grammar and clarity, now you’re almost ready to submit.
Before sending everything off, make sure to check in with your school’s guidance counselor about your plan and send off your test scores. It’s also important to follow up with the teachers who wrote your recommendation to Cornell and see if they’re still able to write letters of recommendation for these schools as well.
Deferral Letter
Now back to Cornell itself. You want to draft a letter to them that serves two purposes -- 1) update them on all the fabulous things you’ve been up to since applying, and 2) pledge your undying loyalty to Cornell.
First off, start by telling them one or two of the most interesting things you’ve done since you applied. Did you make captain of the lacrosse team? Did you start a business? Finish a huge research project? Use this letter to fill them in on the details without being too braggy. Next, make sure they’re aware that if accepted, you will attend. Colleges care deeply about their yield rate, or more simply put, how many students they accept that enroll. Pare this down to about 300 words and have friends, family, and teachers look over it to make sure it’s all clear. Now, you’re ready to send it off to Cornell’s Admissions Office via email.
Unfortunately, now you just have to sit back and wait. But feel confident that you’ve done all you can!
If you’re struggling with the college admissions process, need help with your college list, or want to work one-on-one with our counselors, reach out to us here.