Getting deferred from Swarthmore after applying Early Decision can be a tough pill to swallow. You did everything right – wrote and rewrote your essays, poured your energy into the application, imagined yourself in Parrish Hall – and now you’re in limbo. Not admitted. Not denied. Just… waiting.
Take a moment to process that disappointment. It’s real, and it’s valid. But once you’ve given yourself a beat, it’s time to regroup. A deferral isn’t the end; it’s a reset. Swarthmore is still on the table. And with their small size and intensely qualified pool, deferrals often come down to numbers, not a reflection of your potential.
Swarthmore doesn’t publish detailed stats on ED deferral outcomes, but they do say they’re looking for students who continue to show strong interest, academic consistency, and alignment with the college’s values. We’ve seen deferred students get in. It’s rare, but it’s possible. Now, the goal is to take action that can actually move the needle.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If you went all-in on Swarthmore and haven’t looked much beyond it, now’s the time to widen your lens.
Check your list. Are there reaches, targets, and safeties you’re genuinely excited about? A smart list includes more than just liberal arts colleges, such as Swarthmore. Consider what drew you in – was it the Quaker values? Intellectual intensity? Seminar-style classes? Then look at schools that offer similar academic rigor and culture. Haverford, Reed, Wesleyan, Grinnell, or even honors colleges within larger universities might offer a similarly dynamic experience.
As you work through your list, make sure you’re not just swapping in Swarthmore clones; you’re aiming for schools that resonate for you. Once your list feels solid, it’s time to dive into the details: essays, supplements, and making your story come alive. We have guides on tons of different school supplements on our blog, as well as how to answer common supplement questions, like the why essay, the community essay, and the disagreement essay.
Step Two: Revisit Your Common App
This is a good time to reread your Common App essay with a fresh set of eyes. Be brutally honest: does it still feel like the best version of you? Or does it play it a little too safe?
Plenty of students write decent essays that check all the boxes – but “decent” often blends into the crowd. You want your essay to be unmistakably yours. Watch out for the usual traps: telling someone else’s story, turning it into a resume recap, or leaning too hard on abstract metaphors or life lessons. None of that will make you stand out in Regular Decision, and there’s a chance that a tired admissions officer has read one of those cliched essays at least 10 times today.
Ask yourself: is this essay specific, personal, and reflective? Does it give a reader insight into how you think? Is there a moment that only you could have written about? If not, it may be worth tightening it up, or even starting fresh. It may feel daunting, but we’ve helped countless students write killer, stand-out essays in the few weeks between deferrals and ED2/RD deadlines.
Prompt #7 continues to be our favorite for flexibility, but a compelling narrative can be built from any question. What matters most is that you sound like you, not like someone trying to impress.
Need to completely revamp your Common App essay? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Step Three: Other Applications
It’s crunch time. The RD deadlines are usually between January 1st - January 5th, and you’ll want every part of your app to be polished.
Double-check all of your Common App content – especially your activities section. You might have updates or changes since submitting to Rice. Then, once the bulk of your Common App is polished, it’s time to shift focus to your supplemental essays. These matter more than most students think. They’re the place where you demonstrate school-specific fit, so take the time to research courses, programs, and professors you’re genuinely excited about, especially for those omnipresent Why essays.
A well-tailored supplement can be a game-changer. Think about how you approached Swarthmore’s prompts, and channel that same energy and specificity into each new app. You’re not just applying to college – you’re showing them why you belong. And once you feel confident about each supplement, you want to submit ASAP.
Once that’s squared away, it’s time to update Swarthmore.
Step Four: Update
Swarthmore doesn’t provide a detailed playbook for deferred applicants, but here’s what you’ll typically want to send:
Mid-Year Report and Transcript
Your counselor usually submits this after first semester grades post, but it never hurts to follow up.
New Test Scores (optional)
Only submit if they reflect meaningful improvement.
Letter of Continued Interest (required)
This is your most important move. Do it well.
The Deferral Letter - Letter of Continued Interest
Your Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) is your chance to reconnect with Swarthmore and add meaningful context. This isn’t about repeating your resume, it’s about showing who you are now and how that aligns with what Swarthmore values.
If you’ve already been in contact with your regional admissions officer, address them directly. If not, “Dear Swarthmore Admissions Committee” is just fine. In the first paragraph, express that Swarthmore remains your first choice and, if admitted, you would absolutely attend. Say it clearly and explicitly. Now is not the time to be vague!
Next, share two or three significant updates that enhance your profile. These could be academic, such as a recent award or new coursework, or extracurricular, including leadership achievements, research, community work, or creative endeavors. What matters is that they’re new, relevant, and help admissions see your momentum. If your updates are lighter, lean into depth: reflect on an academic project you’ve pursued further or a specific interest you’ve explored in more depth since applying and connect it back to what you’ll do at Swarthmore.
Tone-wise, aim for confidence and clarity. No need to over-apologize or gush or beg. This is a professional communication, not a plea. You’re reminding Swarthmore that you’re not just still interested – you’ve grown, you’re thriving, and you’d still be a great fit.
Wrap up with a warm thank-you and a final line reaffirming your commitment. Once finished, upload your LOCI to your applicant portal. If you’ve corresponded with your rep before, it’s fine to send them a brief follow-up letting them know it’s been submitted.
Step Five: Wait
With your LOCI in and your RD apps out the door, the waiting begins.
Don’t fall into the trap of over-communicating – one strong LOCI and your mid-year grades are enough. Resist the urge to email every time something minor happens or to ask your recommenders to send more letters.
Swarthmore will take another look at your file during Regular Decision review in March. In the meantime, stay focused. Keep your grades high. Finish the year strong.
This deferral isn’t the final word. You’re still in it. And if you want help writing your LOCI, finalizing your essays, or navigating next steps – 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.