Getting deferred from Harvard hurts. You aimed high, put your heart into the application, and now you’re in a holding pattern. It’s frustrating, confusing, and yeah, it stings. But take a breath. A deferral isn’t a no! it’s a “not yet.” And that means the door is still open and there are things you can control in this process.
We know this feels personal, but it isn’t a reflection of your intelligence, character, or future potential. You are a strong student. You’ve already accomplished a ton, and you have so much ahead of you. A deferral has more to do with Harvard’s incredibly selective admissions process than anything you did wrong. Let’s put it in context: Harvard’s Restricted Early Action acceptance rate hovers around 9%, and Regular Decision is closer to 3%. As for how many deferred students ultimately get in, Harvard won’t tell us, and honestly, we wish they would!
You applied early because you felt like Harvard fit – whether that was academically, socially, or aspirationally. The good news is, you’ve still got a shot. Once you’ve had a moment to regroup and eat a snack or two, it’s time to make a game plan. There’s still more you can do, and we’ll walk you through it.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If your entire fall was devoted to Harvard and you haven’t touched another application, it’s time to regroup. We’re not saying you should panic, but you need to get moving. What you do in the next couple of weeks matters, so let’s be strategic. Start by re-evaluating your college list. Is it realistic and well-balanced? Ideally, you want a thoughtful mix of reach, target, and safety schools – typically somewhere in the 8 to 12 range. If your list is thin, top-heavy, or still floating in your Notes app, now’s the moment to build it out. Use admissions data, your academic profile, and your extracurriculars as a guide when considering your odds.
And while we’re here: please don’t apply to schools just because they’re famous. Prestige shouldn’t be the only factor, and academic fit should be your number one priority. If Harvard appealed to you because of its academic flexibility, tight-knit residential system, or research access, look for those traits in other schools too. Schools like Yale, Princeton, and Stanford might feel adjacent, but don’t overlook smaller liberal arts colleges or honors programs that share a similar intellectual vibe.
Once you’ve locked in your list, it’s go time. Your supplemental essays are where you show schools why you’re a fit and why they should choose you. Start early, write smart, and remember: this is your chance to reintroduce yourself. If you’re looking for help, we’ve got guides for tons of school-specific prompts to help you get started.
Step Two: Revisit Your Common App
This is the perfect moment to take a fresh look at your Common App essay with clear eyes and a critical lens. Does it genuinely capture your personality? Or could it just as easily be written by any high-achieving student with a similar resume? We’re not saying there’s only one right way to do it, and sure, plenty of students are admitted with the classic “I learned something!” essays, but we are saying that the students we work with long-term (who often land at one of their top three choices) tend to write essays that really stand out.
While we’ll always have a soft spot for Prompt #7 (she’s timeless), a strong essay can come from nearly any prompt – as long as it’s done right. The most common issues we see, especially in drafts submitted close to winter deadlines, are essays that rehash what’s already in the activities list, essays that summarize rather than tell a story, pieces that focus too much on external events and not enough on personal insight, or writing that just doesn’t sound like you.
If any of that rings true for your current draft, don’t panic! You may just need a rework or you may need to go back to the drawing board. A well-executed revision now could make all the difference in the Regular Decision round.
Need to completely revamp your Common App essay? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Step Three: Other Applications
If you're reading this in the narrow window between mid-December and early January, you’re officially in the most high-stakes stretch of the admissions process. Deadlines are coming up fast, and your priority right now is clear: get your Common App essay in the best shape possible.
Once that’s solid, revisit your activities section to make sure everything’s clear, concise, and up to date. Then turn your attention to those supplemental essays – every school on your list deserves a thoughtful, polished response. Don’t flirt with disaster by waiting until 11:58 p.m. on deadline day. Submitting early means fewer glitches and far less stress.
Only after all of your Regular Decision applications are submitted and squared away should you turn back to Harvard and send a short, strategic update.
Step Four: Update
Harvard has a fair amount of information on deferrals on their website:
“Why was my application deferred?
Competition for early admission to Harvard College has, in recent years, been especially rigorous. Given that more than 60,000 candidates apply from around the world, and the relatively modest size of each entering class (about 1,650 students), the Admissions Committee must act with great care in making Restrictive Early Action Decisions. As a result, many strong applicants are deferred to the Regular Decision round for review.
I was deferred. Is there really any chance that I still can be admitted?
It is impossible to predict individual admission decisions. Past students whose applications were deferred have been admitted at various rates, often approximating the rate for Regular Decision candidates. Over the next few months, your application will be reviewed again, supplying another opportunity for eventual admission.
I was deferred. What can I do to improve my chances of admission?
In most cases, the essential details are already on file with the Admissions Committee. Additional information (sent via the Applicant Portal) should be limited to significant developments in your high school career. We will also expect to receive your Midyear School Report no later than February 1.”
Pretty straightforward. You’ll need to compile some things
Mid-Year Report and Mid-Year Transcript
This should come from your school counselor – they should send this automatically, but it doesn’t hurt to double-check
Updated Test Scores
If you have them – and only if you improved!
Updates to Harvard (more on this)
Do not send additional letters of rec, as Harvard states, they only want updates.
The Deferral Letter—Letter of Continued Interest
A deferral letter, also called a letter of continued interest or LOCI, is your opportunity to reintroduce yourself to Harvard with a strong footing and a clear message: you're still all in, and you've only gotten stronger since you hit “submit” back in November.
Your goal here isn’t to retell your entire life story or repackage your original application. This is about three things: affirming that Harvard remains your top choice, presenting new and significant updates, and doing it all with clarity and confidence. The tone should be respectful, polished, and upbeat – not anxious, apologetic, or overly flowery.
Keep it tight. Aim for around 300 words. You can go a bit longer if you’ve done something genuinely extraordinary since you applied, but resist the urge to ramble. A sharp, direct letter almost always outshines a lengthy one.
Start with a formal greeting. If you have a relationship with your regional admissions officer, address them by name. If not, “Dear Harvard University Admissions Committee” works just fine.
In the first few lines, be unequivocal: if you’re admitted, you will attend. That sentence needs to be in there, clearly stated. REA applicants have a strong chance of enrolling, which means they contribute positively to the yield rate. But now, Harvard has to consider you alongside Regular Decision applicants, a less guaranteed situation. Help them feel confident that you’re a “yes” if they give you one.
From there, shift into your updates. What’s changed since you applied? This is your moment to spotlight meaningful progress – think academic distinctions, leadership milestones, creative or research pursuits, new jobs or internships, or rigorous coursework. Focus on two or three quality updates, not a laundry list.
Close with a sincere thank-you and a final line reaffirming your commitment. Then, upload the letter to your applicant portal. If you have your regional rep’s email, you can send them a polite note letting them know you’ve submitted your update and asking if there’s anything else they’d like to see.
Step Five: Wait
Yeah, this part’s rough. Waiting is no one’s favorite hobby, especially after you’ve already put so much into the process. But the best thing you can do right now is step back.
You’ve submitted your application. You sent your letter of continued interest. You’ve done the work. Now is not the time to send another update, email your regional rep (again), or dream up some new reason to get in touch. And absolutely do not swing by campus in a surprise attempt to plead your case (Harvard won’t love that).
At this point, it’s out of your hands. The admissions team has your file, and it’ll be reviewed alongside the full Regular Decision pool. Most decisions will be released on Ivy Day – typically in late March or early April – so for now, the best thing you can do is stay grounded, stay focused on the rest of senior year, and trust that you showed Harvard your very best. You've done everything you can. Best of luck!
We can help you bounce back from a deferral or rejection. Reach out to us today to learn more.