Getting deferred from Stanford stings. You set your sights on one of the most selective universities in the world, poured time and energy into your application, hit submit… and now you’re sitting here. It’s not a no, but it’s definitely not a yes, and that’s disappointing. It’s disorienting! But, good news, you’re still under consideration, and there are concrete next steps you can take to give yourself the best shot possible and set yourself up for success no matter what happens.
We know it feels personal, but a deferral isn’t a judgment on your worth, intelligence, or potential. The truth is, Stanford’s applicant pool is wildly competitive. Their REA acceptance rate typically hovers around 6–7%, with Regular Decision coming in even lower, around 3%. So if you were deferred, that means they did see something they liked, they just need more time.
You applied early for a reason. Maybe it’s the unmatched innovation ecosystem, the proximity to Silicon Valley, or Stanford’s deep focus on interdisciplinary exploration. That connection still matters. So take a beat, regroup, and get ready, we’ll walk you through exactly what to do next.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If Stanford was your primary focus this fall, it’s time to broaden your scope. You don’t need to panic, but you do need a plan. Start by revisiting your college list. Is it balanced? Ideally, you want 8 to 12 schools with a thoughtful mix of reach, target, and safety options. You want to look for schools that align with your academic goals, extracurricular strengths, and learning style.
Also, steer clear of only adding Brand Name™ colleges to your list – it’s an easy way to have little to no options for freshman year. If Stanford appealed to you because of its entrepreneurial culture, emphasis on innovation, or flexible curriculum, look for those qualities elsewhere. Consider places like Brown, Pomona, USC, Northwestern, or the University of Michigan’s Honors College. If the Bay calls to you and you’re interested in things like poli sci or international relations, look at places like Santa Clara! Don’t sleep on smaller schools; many of them can offer similar benefits in a more intimate setting.
Once your list is locked in, it’s time to start writing. The supplements are your chance to show each school who you are beyond the numbers. Get specific, write strategically, and don’t wait until the last minute. We’ve got breakdowns for dozens of prompts on our blog if you need help getting started.
Step Two: Revisit Your Common App
Now’s the moment to read your Common App essay like an admissions officer would. Does it sound like you, or could it have been written by any high-achieving student with a strong resume and test scores? Admissions officers are reading hundreds, if not thousands, of these essays every year – if yours is boring, it probably doesn’t get put in the “take another look” pile.
And look, plenty of students write decent, but boring, essays and still get into great schools. But the ones who stand out (and have better results) often take risks. They write something unmistakably personal, rooted in a strong story and in their own distinct voice. If your current draft feels flat, generic, or like a summary of your resume, it might be time for a revision.
Prompt #7 is always our fave girlie, but almost any prompt can shine if you execute it well. You need to be telling a story, and you can do that in any of the other Common App prompts. We will tell you that the most common issues we see in the Common App are essays that echo the Activities section and talk about things they already know about you, focus too much on external events or people, or don’t show any of your unique or positive personality traits. If that rings true, don’t panic. You might just need a stronger revision, or, in some cases, a full rewrite. We know that’s stressful, but we help students do just that every year.
Need to completely revamp your Common App essay? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Step Three: Other Applications
If it’s mid-December to early January, this is the final push. Your Common App essay should be in excellent shape by now. From there, do a final sweep of your activities list, make sure everything is accurate, well-formatted, and ordered by significance. Then, turn your full attention to those supplemental essays.
Stanford’s prompts are famously unique, so you may have a little more work ahead of you if you haven’t tackled other applications. But every school wants the same thing: specificity, sincerity, and thoughtfulness. You can reuse some material where applicable, but make sure it’s tailored and intentional. For example, your Why essays for each school should have specific classes, professors, extracurriculars, etc., all mentioned in your essays, not just “ooooo I looooove your school,” type of stuff.
And above all, submit early. We’ve seen the Common App crash. You don’t want to be the student frantically uploading files at 11:58 p.m. Once your RD applications are done and dusted, then (and only then) is it time to circle back to Stanford with your update.
Step Four: Update
Stanford doesn’t give much away about their internal process, but here’s what we do know:
“Your application is deferred to Regular Decision, and you will receive a final decision by early April.
Stanford's philosophy is to make final decisions whenever possible. As a result, Stanford defers only a small percentage of Restrictive Early Action applications to Regular Decision.
If your application is deferred, you do not need to re-apply; you will be provided with a form to share any updates since your original application.”
Here’s what you should send:
Midyear Report (from your school counselor)
Updated test scores, if applicable
A deferral letter (LOCI) – see below
The Deferral Letter—Letter of continued interest
A deferral letter, sometimes called a letter of continued interest or LOCI, is your chance to re-engage with Stanford and make your intentions crystal clear: you’re still fully committed, and your application has only grown stronger since November.
Do not rehash your application or wax poetic about your love of Stanford. Your goals are simple: confirm that Stanford is your top choice, share 2–3 meaningful updates, and do so with professionalism and clarity. The tone should be confident, concise, and upbeat, not apologetic or overly effusive.
Keep it short. About 300 words is ideal, maybe a bit longer if you’ve had genuinely significant accomplishments (like, created true renewable energy or solved an international crisis significant). Avoid rambling, want to get your message across clearly.
You’ll open with a formal greeting. If you’ve previously connected (and only if you’ve previously connected) with your regional admissions officer, use their name. If not, “Dear Stanford University Admissions Committee” is totally fine.
In your first few lines, be direct: if offered admission, you will enroll. Say this explicitly. This part matters. Early Action deferrals are reconsidered in a much larger Regular Decision pool, and Stanford wants to know that you’re still a serious candidate and will positively impact their yield rate.
Then, you can use the body of the letter to highlight a few meaningful developments. Maybe you’ve earned a new academic award, taken on leadership in an extracurricular, started a research project, or had creative work recognized. Whatever you share, keep the focus on progress and impact, don’t just list achievements for the sake of it. You can also connect your achievement or update to something you’re excited to do at Stanford.
Close with a brief but sincere thank-you and a final, direct reaffirmation of your enthusiasm for Stanford. Once it’s polished, you will upload your letter through the applicant portal. If you’ve previously corresponded with your regional rep, you can send a polite note letting them know you’ve submitted an update and ask if there’s anything else they’d recommend you send.
Step Five: Wait
This part is hard! We know! But, you’ve done everything you can. Please don’t try to game the process with more emails or unexpected visits. It will not help. We guarantee that more updates do not mean more chances.
Your file will be reviewed again alongside the Regular Decision pool, with decisions typically released in late March or early April. In the meantime, keep your grades strong, stay engaged in your community, and trust the work you’ve already done. You’ve got this! Best of luck.
We can help you bounce back from a deferral or rejection. Reach out to us today to learn more.