Getting deferred from Rice isn’t what you hoped to see – especially after months of work, polish, and pressing submit with fingers crossed. You imagined yourself on that Houston campus, but now you feel... stuck. Not in, not out. Just waiting. It’s frustrating, confusing, and yes, disheartening.
However! Remember that Rice didn’t say no, just not yet. A deferral means your application is still under consideration. And that means you still have an opportunity to make an impression.
Take some time to process the disappointment, however that looks for you. Call a friend, go for a drive, binge a comfort show, whatever helps. But once you’ve cleared your head a bit, remind yourself that this isn’t a judgment on your abilities or future. It’s the result of a highly selective admissions process at a university that receives tens of thousands of applications for just a few hundred spots. Rice’s ED acceptance rate is typically higher than RD (15% vs 9%), but that doesn’t mean the RD pool is a dead end – we’ve seen deferrals turn into admits more often than you’d think.
So what now? Let’s make sure your next steps are strategic, timely, and thoughtful.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If Rice was your main focus – or your only focus – your attention may have been entirely on that one app. Understandable! But now that your status has changed, you need to broaden your focus.
Take a step back and reassess your college list. Do you have a balanced mix of reaches, targets, and safeties? We typically recommend a list of 8–12 schools, but more importantly, you want to ensure that you’re excited about every school on the list.
Use what you loved about Rice – maybe it was the small student body, residential college system, strong STEM research, or emphasis on interdisciplinary study – to guide your choices. Schools like Vanderbilt, WashU, Emory, Tufts, USC, or even the honors programs at public flagships might offer similar benefits. Don’t let prestige drive your decisions alone, think about where you’ll thrive and what schools can help you meet your goals.
Once your list is solid, shift to supplements. These essays are your chance to show fit and intention. Start early and write with specificity, and we have guides on how to write these school-specific supplements on our blog.
Step Two: Revisit Your Common App
With a bit of distance from your first submission, now’s the ideal moment to look back at your Common App essay and ask: does this still represent me at my best?
Try to read your essay like someone who doesn’t know you. Does it offer new insight beyond your resume? Is it personal, reflective, and detailed? Or does it fall into common traps, like vague life lessons, overused metaphors, or a story that focuses more on someone else than you?
Admissions officers read thousands of essays every year. Solid writing isn’t enough, you need a narrative that feels unmistakably yours. The most effective essays aren’t trying to impress; they’re trying to reveal something that stats and extracurriculars can’t.
Prompt #7 (topic of your choice) remains an excellent option for students who have a specific story or perspective that doesn’t fit neatly into other prompts. And bonus, it’s our favorite prompt. That said, you can write a good essay with any prompt as long as you’re telling a clear, strong story.
And if the essay you submitted feels just okay, it’s not too late to revise or even rebuild. A refreshed version, one that’s clearer, deeper, or more authentic, could make all the difference in Regular Decision and ED2 rounds.
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 when the pressure spikes and it’s time to lock in. With Rice off the table (for now), your priority is to finalize all Regular Decision materials.
Start with your Common App, and not just the essay part. Make sure everything is updated, especially your activities list. If you’ve taken on anything new since you submitted your Rice ED app, make sure it’s reflected. New leadership roles, honors, or initiatives should be added where relevant.
Next: supplements. These essays really matter. Schools want to know why you're applying — especially now that your early plan shifted. Be specific. Don’t just copy and paste Why and Community essays – make sure they have the research needed to answer the question.
And please don’t wait until the very last minute to submit. Tech glitches and crashing servers are real, especially on Jan 1. Try to submit early to give yourself some breathing room.
Once everything is submitted, it’s time to update Rice.
Step Four: Update
Rice doesn’t offer much public guidance on what to do after a deferral.
“All admission decisions are final. There are three admission outcomes from Early Decision; the admission committee will:
Admit
Defer - Deferred applicants are considered with the Regular Decision pool.
Deny - Denied applicants will not be considered with Regular Decision pool, but are welcome to re-apply in the following application cycle.”
Thanks for that super robust explanation, Rice! Anyways, here’s what we recommend based on years of experience:
Mid-Year Grades
Your counselor will usually handle this automatically, but confirm.
New Test Scores (if applicable)
Only if you’ve seen a noticeable improvement.
Letter of Continued Interest
This one’s on you!
The Deferral Letter – Letter of Continued Interest
Your Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) is your opportunity to re-engage with Rice and demonstrate your continued commitment to attending. Keep in mind that this is not a recap, it’s a strategic update.
Keep it focused, professional, and confident. Around 350–400 words is ideal. Anything longer should only happen if you've had major developments. And we mean major updates like solving world hunger. You’re aiming for thoughtful and concise, not rambling or repetitive.
Start with a formal greeting. If you know your regional rep’s name, use it. If not, “Dear Rice Admissions Committee” works just fine.
In the first paragraph, state clearly that Rice remains your top choice and that you would enthusiastically accept an offer if admitted. They need to know your interest is real and hasn’t wavered. It’s very important that you specifically and explicitly say that Rice is your top choice and you will attend if admitted.
Next, share 2–3 significant updates. This could be an academic award, a creative accomplishment, a new project, or an expanded leadership role. Highlight growth, not just activity for activity’s sake. Focus on how these updates make you an even better fit for Rice’s community and programs. If you’ve taken initiative outside of school, e.g., launched something, published research, tackled a personal project, this is the time to mention it. You can connect what you’ve done and accomplished with what you’re looking forward to pursuing once you’re on campus next year, too.
Avoid restating anything already in your application or that they already know. You want to provide new context, not repeat old content. And no need for over-the-top praise or emotion for Rice. Keep the tone earnest and forward-looking.
Wrap up with a thank-you, and reiterate your continued excitement about the possibility of attending Rice. You will typically upload this to your applicant portal, but you can also email your regional rep (if you’ve already had a relationship with them) a copy and let them know you submitted it.
If done right, your LOCI can add meaningful value and remind the admissions team why you belong at Rice.
Step Five: Wait
Once your LOCI is in and your RD apps are submitted, the hardest part begins: waiting.
Resist the urge to send follow-ups or extra materials unless Rice explicitly requests them. Admissions officers are juggling thousands of files. Your best move now is to focus on school, continue your commitments, and give yourself credit for everything you’ve already accomplished.
You’re still in the running. And if you want support finishing strong or building a killer backup plan, we’re here for you.
We can help you bounce back from a deferral or rejection. Reach out to us today to learn more.