Getting deferred from Notre Dame stings – no sugarcoating it. You spent months building an application that told a story you were proud of; you hit “submit” with fingers crossed, and instead of a yes, you got a maybe. It’s a frustrating middle ground that leaves a lot of students wondering what went wrong.
But a deferral is not the end. It doesn’t mean Notre Dame isn’t interested. It means they want more time to see how the rest of the applicant pool shakes out. In fact, the very fact that they deferred you means you’re still very much in the running. Most students get a definitive answer from ND during the REA round, so if you got deferred, that really does mean you have a second chance rather than just being denied. You can even hear this from ND themselves:
“A deferred decision means that the admissions committee is not yet ready to make a final decision on a student’s application. We receive about one-third of our total applications during the Restrictive Early Action cycle, and our staff wants the chance to evaluate deferred students’ applications within the context of the larger Regular Decision pool. Being deferred is not the end of the admissions process. With a highly competitive applicant pool, we are very serious about which students we choose to defer, and we only do so if we feel that they will be competitive later in the process.”
So take a deep breath, grab your favorite snack, and let yourself feel whatever you need to feel. Then, let’s move forward with purpose. You’ve got another shot, and we’re here to help you make it count.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If you put all your hopes in Notre Dame and haven’t done much beyond that, it’s time for a reset. Now is the moment to ask yourself whether your college list is truly balanced. You should have a thoughtful mix of reaches, targets, and safeties, with each school offering something you’re genuinely excited about. A strong academic profile is just one part of the puzzle – fit matters too.
And think about what drew you to Notre Dame in the first place. Was it the tight-knit community? The emphasis on moral leadership? The blend of academics and athletics? The Catholic education? Search for other schools that reflect similar values – maybe Boston College, Georgetown, Villanova, Santa Clara, Holy Cross, or public universities with honors colleges or top programs in your major area.
Once you’ve locked down your list, get serious about those supplements. They aren’t throwaways – they’re a chance to show schools who you are beyond the stats. Need help? Our blog is packed with detailed guidance on writing strong, specific school essays. Don’t sleep on these, they matter more than most students realize.
Step Two: Revisit Your Common App
Now’s the time to give your Common App essay a critical second look. Set aside your original excitement and ask yourself, does this actually sound like me?
The strongest Common App essays feel personal, grounded, and honest. They aren’t trying to cram in every accomplishment or prove worthiness. That doesn’t mean it needs to be dramatic or life-changing – it just needs to reflect your perspective and voice.
Too often, we see essays that echo familiar patterns: overcoming a challenge, bouncing back from a setback, winning (or losing) something important. And while plenty of kids get into great colleges with those essays, they don’t stand out. And we want to help you stand out! If your draft reads more like a polished summary than a touching story, you might not be doing yourself justice.
Here are a few quick gut checks: Does your essay reveal something that isn’t already clear from your activities list? Could someone who’s never met you understand what matters to you after reading it? Could another student in your class have written something similar?
If you're feeling uncertain, it might be worth revising – or even starting fresh. Prompt #7 (“topic of your choice”) is still our favorite for a reason – it gives you maximum freedom to tell a story that actually matters to you. But truthfully, any prompt can work, as long as the writing is personal and specific.
Need to completely revamp your Common App essay? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Step Three: Other Applications
Mid-December through early January is no joke. If you’re reading this with a to-do list longer than your winter break, you’re not alone. Start with the big stuff: polish your Common App essay, then finalize your activities list. Make sure it’s clear, concise, and ordered by impact. If you’re using the Additional Information section, only include what’s absolutely necessary.
Then it’s time for the supplements. These are not just busywork. Admissions officers are using them to figure out: do you belong on our campus? Are you curious, engaged, and ready to contribute? Show them you’ve done your research and that you’re genuinely excited about what their school has to offer.
And please, whatever you do, don’t hit submit at 11:59 PM. We’ve seen it all – tech meltdowns, frozen laptops, last-minute panics, Common App crashes. Beat the rush. Finish strong.
Once your RD apps are in, then you can shift your focus back to Notre Dame.
Step Four: Update
ND has a pretty fleshed-out section on what deferred and waitlisted students can expect here. Here are some highlights:
“Keep us updated with any changes to your application.”
“You should also update us on any significant extracurricular accomplishments or awards that you have or will receive after our Restrictive Early Action process.”
“If Notre Dame is truly one of your first-choice schools, you may also write a letter of desire explaining why you believe Notre Dame is the best school for you. You may upload the letter to your applicant status portal so we can be sure to add it to your admissions file. This letter of desire is a great opportunity to tell the admissions committee a little bit more about yourself and to explain why you would love to attend Notre Dame.”
Check the link above for more detailed information, but here’s what to gather:
Mid-Year Report & Transcript
Your counselor should handle this, but follow up to be sure.
New Test Scores (if relevant)
Improved SAT or ACT? Go ahead and send it.
Your LOCI (Letter of Continued Interest)
This is the most important piece.
The Deferral Letter – Letter of Continued Interest
Your Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) is the only part of your Notre Dame application where you still have total control. Remember, this isn’t a second personal statement, and it’s not the place for emotional appeals. It’s a professional update – one that reinforces your interest and shows the admissions team that you’re still an applicant worth paying attention to.
Begin with a clear statement of intent. Let Notre Dame know, unambiguously and unequivocally, that they remain your first choice and that you would immediately enroll if admitted. Say this explicitly after you introduce yourself, because colleges like ND care about their yield rate and admissions officers need reassurance that you’re still serious. Stating your continued commitment, plainly and confidently, matters.
After that, shift into what’s changed since you submitted your application. Focus on two to three meaningful updates that reflect personal growth, academic momentum, or new achievements. That might include a new award or honor (academic, artistic, athletic, or extracurricular), a leadership role or ongoing community impact, a standout project or competition win, or research, work, or internship experiences that relate to your future goals.
If you don’t have much in the way of updates, take what you do have and connect it to things you’re looking forward to at Notre Dame, like if you finished a big research project at school, how will you keep that momentum up at ND?
You’ll submit your LOCI through Notre Dame’s applicant portal by February 1st, but we recommend doing this sooner rather than later (before RD apps are due). If you’ve already been in contact with your regional admissions officer, it’s fine to email them to let them know you’ve submitted.
Close with a brief but sincere thank-you for their time and consideration, followed by a second clear affirmation of your enthusiasm for Notre Dame.
Overall notes for the letter: keep your tone optimistic, confident, and grounded – no pleading or dramatics necessary. You’re here to demonstrate that you’re still a competitive candidate who’s moving forward, not standing still or suffering from senioritis. Keep it concise, professional, and approximately 350–400 words.
Step Five: Wait
This is the hardest part. You’ve done the work. You sent your updates, applied widely, and stayed focused. Now, it’s time to let the process play out. Avoid sending extra updates,
Notre Dame typically releases final decisions by late March. Until then, shift your energy to your classes, your wellbeing, and all the other fantastic options on your list. A deferral doesn’t define you; it’s just one step on a longer path.
We can help you bounce back from a deferral or rejection. Reach out to us today to learn more.