We know, this wasn’t the email you wanted to open. You submitted your UT Austin EA application with hope, and now, instead of a clear yes or no, you’re in limbo. Not admitted. Not denied. Just… waiting. And that stings! Take a moment. Be mad. Eat something warm and carby. Then, when you're ready, let’s talk about your next steps.
Here’s what a deferral doesn’t mean: it doesn’t mean you’re unqualified, and it definitely doesn’t erase all the effort you’ve put in. UT Austin receives an enormous number of EA applications each year, and they simply don’t have the room to admit everyone early, especially with highly competitive majors like business, engineering, and computer science. Their process is holistic – but also deeply unpredictable. Last cycle, there were so many EA applications that a lot of students were just automatically deferred because they didn’t have enough time to get through them.
And while UT doesn’t publish detailed stats on how many deferred students ultimately get in, we know it’s not impossible. Deferred applicants do receive offers during Regular Decision. So let’s focus on what’s still within your control and how to use that to your advantage.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If you were banking on Texas and let other apps slide, it’s time to regroup. Open up that college list and see how it’s holding up. Do you have a realistic mix of reaches, targets, and safeties? Just as importantly, would you be genuinely happy to attend any of them?
Go back to what drew you to UT in the first place. Was it the size? The culture? Access to research or a strong major in your area of interest? Use those preferences to guide your next batch of applications. Public schools like Georgia Tech, Wisconsin, or UNC might share similar strengths. Honors colleges at places like Indiana or UMass Amherst might also offer what you’re looking for, too..
Once your list is solid, get back into essay-writing mode. Your supplements are where you get to demonstrate fit and personality. Don’t phone them in; each one is a chance to make your application stand out. And we have guides on how to write tons of supplements on our blog, as well as the other common essay types: the why essay, the community essay, and the disagreement essay.
Step Two: Revisit Your Common App
Now’s your chance to take a hard look at your Common App essay and ask yourself: does this still feel like the best version of my story?
Plenty of students submit decent essays – competent, but not especially memorable. That might have worked in earlier rounds, but Regular Decision is more crowded, and “competent” won’t help you rise to the top. If your essay could’ve been written by five other kids at your school, you might want to rethink it. Ask yourself: Is this story truly unique to me? Does it show a side of me that isn’t obvious elsewhere in my app? Is there real insight here, or just a recap of events?
A great essay doesn’t have to be a tearjerker or a tale of triumph over adversity. Some of the best ones are quiet, quirky, or hyper-specific—as long as they reveal something real. If yours feels a little flat or too safe, consider rewriting. Even a small shift in angle or tone can make a big difference.
We’re big fans of Prompt #7 (write your own topic), but any prompt works if you’re telling an honest, reflective story that only you could tell.
Need to completely revamp your Common App essay? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Step Three: Other Applications
The stretch between now and January 1 moves fast. If you’re still wrapping up RD apps, now’s the time to shift into gear.
Update your Common App activities section if needed—just the essentials. Then, dive into the supplemental essays. These are not the place to recycle vague answers. Take what you loved about your UT Austin essays and tailor those themes for each new school. The more specific, the better.
Admissions officers are reading hundreds of these. You want yours to feel intentional. Use school-specific programs, courses, professors, or student organizations as anchor points—and always tie them back to who you are and what you hope to do.
Once everything is submitted, you’ll circle back to UT with your update.
Step Four: Update
UT Austin doesn’t share a ton of detail on their EA deferral process, but they do allow deferred students to submit updates. Here’s what they do say on their website:
“Early Action applicants will receive their admission decision or a notification of deferral by January 15, 2026. Applicants who receive a notification of deferral and regular deadline applicants will receive a decision by February 15, 2026.
Notice of Deferral
Due to the competitiveness of the applicant pool and limited space in high-demand programs, some applicants who meet the Early Action deadline may receive a notice of deferral by January 15. These applicants will continue to be considered for admission based on the competitiveness of the applicant pool. Applicants who receive a notification of deferral and regular deadline applicants will receive a decision by February 15.
This is your opportunity to express continued interest and highlight anything new since your original submission. Here’s what to send:
Mid-Year Report and Mid-Year Transcript
Usually sent by your counselor in January, but it’s okay to follow up with them.
Updated Test Scores
If they strengthen your application.
Your deferral letter, a.k.a., the letter of continued interest.
The most important part of your update!
The Deferral Letter - Letter of Continued Interest
Now that you’ve been deferred, it’s time to strategically reconnect with UT Austin. Your Letter of Continued Interest is your chance to remind the admissions office why you’re a great fit, and why you’re still 100% on board.
Start with a warm, professional greeting. If you’ve been in contact with your regional admissions officer before, address them by name. If not, “Dear UT Austin Admissions Committee” works just fine.
Your opening paragraph should be straightforward: confirm that UT Austin remains your first choice and that you will enroll if admitted. Be specific and enthusiastic – don’t play coy. Admissions offices like clarity.
Next, offer 2–3 meaningful updates that bolster your application. These might include academic achievements (awards, grades, new coursework), extracurricular milestones (competitions, leadership roles, performances), or personal projects or community work (volunteering, internships, creative endeavors, research completion)
If you’re light on updates, it’s okay. Instead, you can reaffirm your interest by highlighting aspects of UT’s programs, culture, or mission that align closely with your goals. Just make sure your points are fresh – not just recycled from your original essays.
Avoid listing your full resume again. They already have it. Keep this letter focused on what’s new, what’s meaningful, and what deepens your alignment with UT Austin.
Tone matters here: stay confident, sincere, and forward-looking. You want to sound like someone who belongs on campus, not someone begging for reconsideration.
Wrap it up by thanking them for their time and reiterating your commitment. Then, upload the letter through your applicant portal.
Step Five: Wait
Once your LOCI is in and your RD apps are done, the best thing you can do is wait – quietly.
Avoid the urge to check in repeatedly or flood admissions with updates about every quiz bowl or honor roll mention. One strong follow-up is enough. UT will revisit your application during their Regular Decision review period, and according to them, you should hear back by February 15th, 2026.
In the meantime, stay focused. Keep your grades high, stay involved in your activities, and give yourself some credit. You’re navigating a tough process with maturity and strategy.
Whatever comes next, you’ve already done the hard part – and we’re here if you want help with the rest. You’ve got this!
We can help you bounce back from a deferral or rejection. Reach out to us today to learn more.