Oof. We know this one stings. You spent weeks (maybe months) pouring your energy into your Dartmouth ED application. You hit submit, envisioned yourself bundled up on the Green, and now, you feel stuck or lost. Not rejected, but not accepted either, just hanging in that awkward “maybe” space. It’s frustrating, it’s disorienting, and yeah, it’s a little heartbreaking. So first, take a deep breath. A deferral isn’t the end – it’s a second chance and an opportunity to regroup.
We want to be clear with you: a deferral from Dartmouth doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It doesn’t mean you did something wrong. This is about limited space and fierce competition. Dartmouth’s ED acceptance rate hovers around 20–25%, while RD is closer to 6%. And unfortunately, the number of deferred students who eventually get in is a stat Dartmouth keeps under wraps. But what we do know is this: you still have a shot. We help students get into Dartmouth after being deferred every year. And we’re here to help you, too.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If Dartmouth was the main event this fall and your other apps are still sitting in draft mode (or worse, don’t exist yet), it’s time to regroup. You’ve got a narrow window between now and the January deadlines – and you need to use it wisely.
First, make sure your list is well-balanced. We find that increasingly, most students do have a list, but it’s not always a healthy, strategic mix. You need a good combination of reach, target, and safety schools, somewhere between 8 to 12 total. In order to determine where is a reach, target, or safety, you want to take a look at your grades, test scores, class rigor, and extracurriculars and compare them to admitted students from last year.
Not sure where to apply next? Think about what drew you to Dartmouth in the first place. The tight-knit community? The rural setting? The D-Plan’s academic flexibility? That should guide your search. You might look into schools like Middlebury, Williams, Bowdoin, Amherst, or even places like Brown and Northwestern if you're drawn to intellectual, engaged student bodies and strong undergraduate teaching. Just don’t build your list around brand names or vibes alone. Focus on where you’ll actually thrive.
Step Two: Revisit Your Common App
This may be the biggest piece of this whole endeavor. This is a great time to take a hard look at your Common App essay and ask yourself the tough questions. Is it specific? Is it personal? Or could literally any other high-achieving student have written this? If the answer is yes, it’s time to hit refresh.
You don’t need to write about your greatest achievement or your deepest trauma to impress Dartmouth (and actually, we’d prefer you didn’t). The best essays feel unmistakably you. We’re always fans of Prompt #7 because of the freedom it gives, but any prompt can work if the story is honest, vivid, and reflective. Common mistakes we see this time of year? Rehashing your activities list, writing about someone else more than yourself, or telling a story without really saying why it matters.
If your essay feels flat or forgettable, it’s not too late to revise.
Need to completely revamp your Common App essay? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Step Three: Other Applications
It’s crunch time! If you’re reading this between mid-December and early January, you’re in the busiest (and probably most stressful) part of application season. Your first priority is locking down that Common App essay. Then, take a look at your activities section. Any major updates? Honors? Promotions? Add them. Are your descriptions straightforward? Descriptive? Are the activities you included strong? Are they in a good order? These are all things to consider.
Next, it’s all about supplements. Every school wants something different from you, and these essays matter. A lot. They're your chance to show schools you’ve done your research and are genuinely excited to attend. They may ask about your academic goals, what kind of personality fit you might be for the school, or how you’ll contribute once you get there. We’ve got tons of guides on how to tackle supplements on our blog. And please, please, don’t wait until 11:59 p.m. on January 1 to hit submit. Get your apps in early.
Step Four: Update
Here’s what Dartmouth officially says about deferrals:
“If you were deferred under the Early Decision plan, you will receive your final decision in the spring. We encourage deferred applicants to share significant updates in mid-winter.”
Which, in classic Ivy fashion, is vague and unhelpful. So here’s what we actually recommend you send:
Mid-Year Report:
Your counselor will submit this, but follow up to make sure it’s sent on time.
Updated Test Scores:
If you’ve taken another ACT or SAT and your score improved, send it.
Additional Rec Letters (optional):
Only if the letter provides new insight — not from someone who’s just going to repeat what’s already in your file.
Your Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI):
More on that below.
The Deferral Letter: Letter of continued interest
A deferral letter, a.k.a, a letter of continued interest (LOCI), is your opportunity to re-engage with Dartmouth and make your case one more time. This should be a crisp, confident message that says, “I still want this, and here’s why I’m an even stronger applicant now than I was in December.”
Your LOCI should do three things: confirm that Dartmouth remains your #1 choice, provide meaningful new updates, and strike the right tone. You don’t want to be desperate or pleading, but confident and excited about the school. This isn’t the place for repeating your resume or waxing poetic about your love for Dartmouth. Keep it focused, specific, and under 300 words (or 400. Only if you’ve got truly major updates).
You’ll upload your letter directly to Dartmouth’s applicant portal. If you have an existing relationship with your regional admissions officer, you can also email them a quick heads-up that you’ve submitted it. Just don’t send the letter as an email unless the school instructs you to, they definitely keep track of what students are detail oriented or not!
Begin with a respectful salutation. If you know your rep, address them directly. If not, “Dear Dartmouth Admissions Committee” works just fine.
In your first few lines, be extremely clear that Dartmouth is still your top choice, and you’ll absolutely attend if admitted. That’s not implied, and it must be written explicitly. Since your application is now in the Regular Decision pool, you’re no longer bound by the Early Decision agreement. They need to know you’ll say yes, which helps them manage their yield.
Then, shift to your updates. Focus on major accomplishments since you submitted your application: academic awards, leadership changes, internships, research, independent projects, or new coursework. Prioritize impact and relevance over quantity — 2–3 well-chosen updates are plenty. If you don’t have many updates (however, if you’re an Ivy hopeful and a strong candidate, you should!), you can mention specific academic things you’re looking forward to at Dartmouth, but don’t repeat anything from your original Why essay.
Close with a final reaffirmation of your enthusiasm, a sincere thank-you, and a professional signoff. Upload it to the portal, and if you’ve been in contact with your rep, let them know it’s there. That’s it! No follow-up needed.
Step Five: Wait
The hardest part? The waiting. Once your LOCI is in and your apps are out, you’ve done everything you can. Don’t send another update next week. Don’t email “just to check in.” Don’t show up in Hanover hoping to talk to someone. We love the enthusiasm, but let’s channel it into something more productive, like finishing senior year strong.
Dartmouth typically releases RD decisions in late March or early April, so until then, focus on schools still in play, keep your grades up, and try to breathe. You put your best foot forward, now let them do their thing. You’ve got this.
We can help you bounce back from a deferral or rejection. Reach out to us today to learn more.