We know getting deferred stings. You set your sights on Brown, and now… well, now you’re in limbo. First, take a breath. You’re allowed to be disappointed. A deferral doesn’t feel great, but it also isn’t a no. It’s a not yet. And that means you still have work to do (but luckily, we’re here to help you figure out exactly what that looks like).
Let’s hear it from Brown themselves:
“Students whose Early Decision applications are deferred are well-qualified for study at Brown. A deferral should not be seen as an indication of shortcomings. Deferred applicants will be considered anew among the Regular Decision applicants.”
We know it’s just words, but you need to understand that you are a great student. You will do great things! You will be successful! A deferral is not a reflection of your abilities or personal moral good, it has to do with things completely outside your control. But there are things you can control.
Let’s start with some perspective. Brown is tough to get into. Brown’s ED acceptance rate is around 18%, while their RD acceptance is around 5%. We don’t know how many students who were deferred were eventually accepted, and we wish schools would release that information, but no one in charge of those things listens to us. They should! We have good ideas!
Of course you loved Brown. It checks a lot of boxes for you – that’s why you applied early. But you’re not out of the game. You’ve been given a second chance. Once you’ve had a moment to process, it’s time to rally and make the most of it. Let’s get into what you need to do to bounce back from your deferral and hit the ground running.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If Brown was the only app you worked on, don’t panic, but do get moving. The next few weeks are going to be crucial. First things first: take a hard look at your college list. If it’s balanced, realistic, and includes a solid mix of reach, target, and safety schools, you’re probably in decent shape. But if it’s stacked with dream schools, only has a few options total, or doesn’t even exist, it’s time to reassess. A well-rounded list usually has 8–12 schools, and you’ll want to evaluate each based on acceptance rates, how your stats line up with their middle 50%, and the strength of your coursework and activities.
Let’s also remind our readers that your college list shouldn’t just be based on rankings, name recognition, or campus aesthetics. You need to genuinely like these schools. Think beyond prestige – if you liked Brown, you probably liked the open curriculum. Look for other schools that have similar offerings. After that, consider factors like student culture, class size, location, and climate. Not every school you apply to will check every single box, but they should all check the important ones.
Once you’ve landed on a smart list, your next move is simple. Start writing. Your supplemental essays are the key to standing out, and they can’t wait until the last minute. Luckily, we’ve broken down how to approach supplements for a ton of different schools on our blog.
Step Two: Revisit Your Common App
Now might be a good time to revisit our advice on writing a strong Common App essay. Take a pragmatic look at your current Common App essay, does it stand out? Is it cliche? We’re not saying our way is the only way (plenty of students do get into college with those classic “I learned a lesson” essays), but we are saying that all of our long-term clients end up at one of their top three schools. And year after year, we see impressive results from our ED2 and RD applicants who took the time to get their essays just right.
We’ll always be Prompt #7 loyalists (she is that girl, after all), but you can write a unique essay using almost any of the prompts. What trips students up, especially when we read last-minute drafts around December 20th, are the usual culprits: writing about something already covered in the activities section, telling a story that really isn’t a story, focusing too much on external stuff and not enough on you, or simply not bringing enough voice or flair to the page.
Need to completely revamp your Common App essay? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Step Three: Other Applications
Odds are, you’re in the crunch window (December 15thish to January 5thish), the short stretch between ED decisions and RD deadlines. Which means the clock is ticking, and fast. Your first focus should be on tightening up your Common App essay.
Once that’s done, check your activities section again and then move on to your supplements. Please do not wait until the last possible minute to submit. The earlier you hit “submit,” the more peace of mind you’ll have. Then, and only then, is it time to draft and send in your final appeal to Brown.
Step Four: Update
Brown tells us what they want from their deferred applicants:
“You may certainly let us know if there is a significant accomplishment or a noteworthy change in your circumstances, but it is not necessary to amend your application as a matter of course. Remember that a deferral does not mean that an applicant has fallen short in terms of qualification for admission. Make sure that your counselor submits the Mid-Year Report form along with your Mid-Year transcript so we are able to review your fall term grades and any updates your school would like to provide. You are also welcome to submit a letter of continued interest during the Regular Decision admission process if Brown remains your college of choice. You may upload your letter through the Brown Applicant Portal.”
Fairly straightforward. You may need to gather/follow up on a few things:
Mid-Year Report and Mid-Year Transcript
This should come from your school counselor – they typically send this automatically, but it doesn’t hurt to double-check
Updated Test Scores
If you have them – and only if you improved
Additional letters of rec (optional!)
Truly optional – we know – rare in the college app world. You should only send this in if it’s groundbreaking new stuff, or someone with an undeniable connection to Brown (like a professor or board member).
And of course….
The Deferral Letter—Letter of continued interest
A deferral letter, also known as a letter of continued interest. is your shot at a second impression with Brown. Think of it as your chance to say, “Hey, I still love you the most,” and back it up with real updates that show them you’re even more of a catch than you were in December.
The entire purpose of this letter is to affirm your continued interest, reinforce that Brown is still your #1, and share meaningful updates to strengthen your application. You’re not rehashing your whole life story here, or telling them things they already know. Keep it short and sharp: 300 words is ideal, and 400 is the absolute max (and that’s only if you’ve cured a disease, published a novel, and solved world peace since you applied).
This will be a portal submission, so format it like a polished, professional message. No fluff, no rambling; just clear, thoughtful writing with a confident tone. Desperation? We don’t know her.
Start with a polite greeting. If you know your regional rep, address them directly. Otherwise, a simple “Dear Brown University Admissions Office” will do just fine.
In the first few sentences, affirm your continued interest. Explicitly say that you will 10000% attend if you are accepted. If this is not explicitly written out, the letter is a waste. You want them to know that if you’re accepted, you’ll attend. Since your ED application has been moved to RD, it is no longer binding. They need assurance that admitting you helps their yield rate. So give them that assurance!
Next, give updates. If you were already a Brown-minded student, these updates should be easy, because you should be continuously engaged in activities after sending in your original application. Focus on new developments since you applied: academic awards, leadership roles, new jobs or internships, projects, research, or coursework. These updates should take up the bulk of the letter, around 200 words.
End with another brief statement of commitment, a polite thank you, and a professional signoff. Upload it to the portal, and if you have your regional counselor’s email, feel free to email them a copy, tell them that you uploaded the letter to the portal, and ask if there’s anything else you can send to them.
Step Five: Wait
Bummer, we know, and we also know this part isn’t fun. Resist the temptation to send more follow-up emails, more updates beyond your original LOCI, or show up on campus unannounced (no Joe from You vibes, please). You’ve done your part: you built a thoughtful list, applied widely and strategically, submitted a polished application, and sent a well-written letter of continued interest to Brown.
Now, the ball’s in their court. Most decisions will come out with the rest of the Regular Decision batch on Ivy Day. So hang tight, take a deep breath, and keep your focus on what’s ahead. You've done everything you can.
We can help you bounce back from a deferral or rejection. Reach out to us today to learn more.