Finding out you’ve been deferred by Middlebury after submitting your Early Decision application can be a real gut punch. You worked hard. You carefully revised every essay. You envisioned life on that Vermont campus. And now you’re stuck in the middle: not accepted, not denied, just waiting. But remember, Middlebury didn’t shut the door. You’re still in the running.
So let yourself feel the disappointment. You’ve earned that. But once you’ve processed it (go take a walk! Talk to someone! Eat something comforting!), come back ready to focus. A deferral doesn’t define your worth or potential. It’s just the reality of applying to a school with a limited number of Early Decision spots and an intensely competitive pool. Middlebury admits a lot of ED applicants (~45%), and the Regular Decision odds are even slimmer (16%). Still, those are just numbers. They’re not the whole story.
Middlebury doesn’t share exact figures on how many deferred students are later admitted, but it does happen. We know about ~13% of last year's applicants were deferred, and Middlebury typically only accepts a small number of deferred students who have a vested interest in being at Middlebury. It’s hard, but we’ve seen it firsthand. So now the focus shifts to what you can do—strategic, meaningful steps to strengthen your case.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If Middlebury was your main focus, or maybe your only school, you may have delayed other applications. That’s understandable. Plenty of students go all-in for their top choice. But now, it’s time to recalibrate.
Start by checking the strength of your list. Do you have a solid balance of reach, target, and safety schools? Eight to twelve is a good range. And just as importantly, do you actually like the schools on your list? If your backup plan includes nothing but Middlebury lookalikes (Amherst, Williams, Bowdoin, etc.), you may want to expand your horizons.
Think about what drew you to Midd in the first place. Was it the close-knit campus? Small classes? The emphasis on the environment and outdoor learning? Whatever it was, use those qualities as your compass. Schools like Carleton, Bates, Colby, Macalester, and Kenyon often offer a similar vibe, but don’t sleep on honors colleges or smaller programs at larger universities either.
Once your list feels balanced, it’s time to get to work. Your supplemental essays are the key to showing fit. Be personal, be detailed, and be deliberate, because these are your chances to stand out.
Step Two: Revisit Your Common App
This is the perfect moment to revisit your Common App essay with a fresh pair of eyes. If you rushed it to meet the ED deadline, there’s probably room to elevate it before Regular Decision.
Ask yourself: does this essay sound like me? Is it telling a story only I could tell? Or could a dozen other high-achieving students have written something similar?
The best essays, whether they’re about your first job, a weird obsession, or a quiet slice of life, are grounded in personal insight. They don’t have to be dramatic. They just have to be true. You don’t need to force a life lesson or narrate your biggest hardship. You just need to reflect.
If you feel like the writing is a little flat, or you relied too much on summarizing events instead of unpacking them, don’t worry. There’s still time for a rewrite, and that rewrite might be what helps you stand out in this next round. We are big fans of Prompt #7 (write an essay of your own design), but any prompt can work if you tell a clear, unique, and engaging story.
Need to completely revamp your Common App essay? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Step Three: Other Applications
Welcome to the most hectic few weeks of senior year. If it’s between mid-December and early January, your priority right now is finishing strong.
Start with your Common App. Make sure your activities section is up to date and easy to skim; this is not the place for describing what tennis is or adding every meaningless club on your list. Focus on the stuff that backs up your academic interests first.
Then move to your supplements. They matter more than you think. Generic or vague answers won’t cut it. Admissions teams can tell when you’ve copied and pasted from another app, especially if you didn’t edit in anything about the school that app is going to. Instead, show you’ve done your homework and can clearly articulate why you’re applying. Be specific about academic programs, professors, campus culture, etc., anything that connects back to your story.
Once your Regular Decision apps are finalized and submitted, then (and only then!) circle back to Middlebury.
Step Four: Update
Middlebury’s website isn’t overflowing with deferral instructions, but here’s what you’ll likely need to send in:
Mid-Year Report and Transcript
Your school counselor usually handles this in January once grades are finalized, but confirm it’s on their radar.
New Test Scores (optional)
If you’ve improved significantly, go ahead and send them. Otherwise, skip it.
Letter of Continued Interest (required)
This is the key. A thoughtful LOCI shows that you’re still invested, still committed, and are excited about Middlebury.
The Deferral Letter - Letter of Continued Interest
Your Letter of Continued Interest should do three things: reaffirm your commitment, show meaningful progress, and keep it tight.
Start with a clear opening. If you know your regional rep (and have talked to them before applying ED), use their name. If not, “Dear Middlebury Admissions Committee” works just fine. In the first paragraph, confirm that Middlebury is still your top choice and that you would absolutely enroll if accepted. This isn’t a place to play it cool – be direct. Say it explicitly.
Then, share 2–3 updates that strengthen your application and prioritize quality over quantity. Think about new leadership roles, academic achievements, research projects, creative work, community impact, whatever helps build your case. You can also frame each update in a way that connects back to your values or academic interests, especially if you don’t have many updates to make.
We also want to reiterate that you should avoid rehashing your full resume. They already have it! This is about what’s new since you applied, and why that progress makes you an even stronger candidate.
And make sure to keep the tone confident and upbeat – not desperate or overly emotional. You’re reminding them that you’re a great fit, not begging for a second chance.
Wrap it up with a thank-you and a final line reinforcing your enthusiasm. Then, you’ll either upload the letter to your applicant portal or send it off to the admissions email for Middlebury. If you’ve been in touch with your regional rep, it’s okay to send them the email, too.
Step Five: Wait
Once your LOCI is submitted and your Regular Decision apps are in, it’s time to… wait. Yes, it’s hard – but resist the temptation to over-communicate. Don’t send multiple follow-ups, don’t email them about random sports awards, and don’t show up on campus offering to plead your case.
Middlebury will revisit your file in the spring during their RD review process. Final decisions usually come out in March. In the meantime, keep doing what you’ve been doing – challenging yourself, showing up, and getting excellent grades.
No matter what happens, this deferral doesn’t define you. And if you want help navigating what comes next, we’re here. You’ve got this!
We can help you bounce back from a deferral or rejection. Reach out to us today to learn more.