Let’s be real: this probably isn’t the outcome you were dreaming of. You hit submit on your Michigan application, feeling hopeful and maybe even optimistic, but now you don’t even have a solid answer. It’s not a rejection, but it’s definitely not the early “yes” you were hoping to celebrate. It’s okay to be frustrated. Let yourself feel that for a second. Then, when you’re ready, we’ll help you move forward with purpose.
Here’s the truth: this deferral doesn’t mean you’re not qualified, and it definitely doesn’t cancel out all the hard work you’ve done. It’s a result of how many students apply to Michigan each year, especially through EA. In fact, their EA pool has ballooned to tens of thousands of applicants, with acceptance rates hovering around 20–25%. As of now, Michigan hasn’t published clear numbers on how many EA deferrals get accepted later, but we know it happens. This is also the first year Michigan has offered Early Decision, and we’re definitely interested in digging into their acceptance and deferral stats once this cycle is over. While there’s a lot you can’t control at this point, we’re going to help you maximize what you can.
You chose Michigan early for a reason. Perhaps it was the opportunity to dive into research as a first-year student, or to be part of one of the country’s strongest undergraduate programs in business, engineering, or liberal arts. Whatever your “why,” it still matters, so let’s talk about what to do next.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If you put most of your energy into Michigan and didn’t put much thought into other schools, now’s the time to pivot. Pull out your college list and evaluate it critically. Do you have a balanced set of reach, target, and safety schools? Are you happy with all of them? Would you actually be excited to attend each one? If not, time to diversify – and not just by name recognition.
Think about the traits that drew you to Michigan. Was it a large public school with top-tier academics? Was it the blend of research and school spirit? If so, look at schools like Wisconsin, UVA, UT Austin, or even private universities with a similar vibe, like USC or Northeastern. If you were drawn to the business program, schools like Wake Forest, Indiana, or UNC might also interest you.
Once your list is feeling solid, turn your attention to the writing side. If you need guidance on specific school supplements, we’ve got plenty of tips and guides to help you tackle the most common prompts and structure strong, authentic answers.
Step Two: Revisit Your Common App
Now that your early app is behind you, it’s worth revisiting your Common App essay with a more objective lens. Does it still resonate? Is it something that truly reflects you and adds something unique to your application? Is it likable?
Most essays are decent, even if they are super cliched – but decent doesn’t stand out. You want yours to be thoughtful, layered, and specific. A “solid” essay might check the boxes, but one that really shines makes the admissions officer stop and remember who you are. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. It just needs to feel personal and insightful.
Ask yourself these questions: Does this tell a story only I could tell? Is it different from what my activities list already covers? Does it reveal something deeper about how I think or what matters to me? If not, you still have time to rework it. A small tweak might do the trick, or you might find a new angle that fits better for Regular Decision or ED2.
We always recommend answering Prompt #7 (we love her open-mindedness!), but good essays can come from any of the prompts. What’s most important is that you tell us a story through your answer. You don’t need to spell out a period of growth, or connect your life to a big metaphor – instead, bring us into a piece of your life and let that do the talking for you.
Need to completely revamp your Common App essay? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Step Three: Other Applications
Between now and January 1, your calendar is going to fill up fast. If you're still working on your RD applications, now’s the time to put your head down and finish. Recheck your activities section; if you have any updates since your Michigan submission, add them. Then move on to the supplements, because these are where your application really comes to life.
Each school wants to know why they still make sense for you. So if you wrote a compelling Why essay for Michigan, take the same strategy and apply it elsewhere, with fresh examples. What matters is specificity and connection: classes, programs, communities, professors, traditions. Same goes for the other prompt you were asked about community – does the other school want to see a connection from your community story to their school? Make sure not to just copy-paste, but really look at the question and make sure you’re answering all the crucial parts of it.
Once your RD apps are in and polished, then it’s time to circle back to Michigan with an update.
Step Four: Update
The University of Michigan doesn’t tell us much about their internal deferral process, save for some nice blog posts from former deferred students. They also call deferrals “postponements,” which we guess is a nice sentiment, but also, why do you have to be different?? From their website:
What Is Postponement?
Michigan postpones (this is sometimes known as “deferral” at other schools) applicants from the Early Action pool to the Regular Decision pool. This simply means that you will get your response later in the spring. It doesn’t mean that the school doesn’t see you as a strong applicant. It’s a step in the process that you may not have been expecting, but think of it as a chance to further express your interest to the university. You can find more FAQs for postponed applicants on the Admissions website.
Here are some things, from experience, that you may want to gather:
Mid-Year Report and Mid-Year Transcript
Your school counselor should submit this on your behalf, but don’t be afraid to follow up
Updated Test Scores
Improved scores are always a boon!
Your deferral letter, a.k.a., the letter of continued interest.
They call this the “Expression of Continued Interest (ECI)” form (just haaaad to be different!), more on this next
The Deferral Letter - Letter of Continued Interest
Now that you've been deferred, it's time to reconnect with Michigan and send in your final update. This is where your letter of continued interest, often shortened to LOCI, comes in, and it's one of the last ways you can influence your application. At Michigan, it’s called the Expression of Continued Interest, and it serves the same purpose as a deferral letter or LOCI.
This letter serves a clear purpose: to reaffirm your enthusiasm for Michigan, provide meaningful updates, and strengthen your case for admission. You don’t need to rehash your whole application or repeat what they already know. Instead, focus on what’s new, compelling, and how it reinforces the value you’d bring to campus. Aim to keep it tight – about 300 words is ideal. Only stretch beyond that if you have truly significant updates (think publishing major research, winning a national award, or launching something beyond impressive).
Michigan has students upload materials directly to their applicant portal. If you’ve had previous contact with your regional admissions rep, you can also email them to let them know you’ve submitted, but don’t do this unless you’ve already had contact with the rep before submitting your ED or EA app. Otherwise, it might leave a bad taste in their mouth as a transparent attempt to juice your app.
Start with a professional greeting. If you know the name of your regional officer, use it; otherwise, something like “Dear University of Michigan Admissions” works well. Open the letter by expressing, without hesitation, that Michigan remains your top choice and that you would immediately accept an offer if admitted. This kind of directness matters, because showing that you’re 100% committed plays a role in their decision-making process.
The body of the letter should highlight two or three key updates that improve your candidacy. Maybe you’ve earned an academic honor, taken on a new leadership role, had success in a competition, or made progress in a personal or research project. Be thoughtful in your choices and keep the tone confident and factual, this isn’t the place for fluff. If you don’t have a ton of updates, connect what you can update about to concrete things you’re excited to pursue at Michigan.
Wrap up by thanking them for their time and consideration, reiterating your interest in the university, and signing off with a professional close. Keep the tone optimistic and respectful. You’ve already made a strong first impression, and now you’re reinforcing your interest and showing growth since you applied.
Step Five: Wait
This last part is tough, but it’s also the most important. Once your letter is in and your RD apps are out the door, let it go. Obsessively checking your email or brainstorming reasons to “check in” again with Michigan won’t help you – and it could even hurt your chances. To quote them, “If you would like to submit additional information, our preference is to receive only the ECI form, grade updates, or any specifically requested information. Anything outside of this will not impact your final decision.” See? One thoughtful LOCI is enough.
You’ve done everything right. You built a strong application, followed up with intention, and showed Michigan you’re still serious. That’s all you can do.
Now shift your focus: finish senior year strong, stay engaged, and take care of yourself. Michigan will revisit your application in the spring, and you’ll get their final decision then. Until that happens, keep your momentum going. You’ve got this.
We can help you bounce back from a deferral or rejection. Reach out to us today to learn more.