We know, getting deferred from Georgetown stings. You poured your energy into that application, hit submit with hope, and now you're stuck in limbo. It’s confusing, it’s frustrating, and it’s totally valid to feel let down. But here’s the thing: a deferral is not the end. It’s a pause, not a period! And there are still aspects of this process you can control.
Try not to internalize this. A deferral from Georgetown doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It doesn’t erase your accomplishments or your drive. This is more about the nature of Georgetown’s highly competitive admissions process than anything you did wrong. To put it in perspective, acceptance rates for REA hover in the low double digits (~10%), and the Regular Decision round is even more selective. We know that no one gets rejected EA from Georgetown, but the university doesn’t publish exact stats for deferred applicants or the number of deferred students who get admitted. We wish they did. We, however, do know from experience that you can get admitted from a deferral, and we see it every year!
You applied early because you saw something in Georgetown, something that felt like it fit. That’s still valid. But now it’s time to shift gears and make your next moves count. Let’s walk through what happens next.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If Georgetown was your main focus this fall and the rest of your applications have been collecting dust (or don’t exist), it’s time to recalibrate. This doesn’t mean hitting the panic button, but it does mean being proactive. Revisit your college list. Is it realistic? Balanced? Do you have a healthy mix of reaches, targets, and safeties? If not, now is the moment to round it out. Aim for 8–12 schools total, and make sure each one is a fit for you academically and personally.
And yes, we know, it’s easy to chase prestige, but that shouldn’t be the only factor. Think about what attracted you to Georgetown in the first place: maybe the global focus, strong programs in government and policy, or the Jesuit values. Look for schools that offer similar vibes and strengths, whether that’s Boston College, Notre Dame, Emory, or an honors program within a larger state university, like UNC, UT Austin, or your state university.
Once your list is ready, focus on those supplements. Every school wants to know why you belong there. That’s where your essays come in, and we have guides for tons of supplements on our blog. Start now, revise thoughtfully, and show them who you are.
Step Two: Revisit (Or Start) Your Common App
If Georgetown was your only Early Action school and you haven’t touched the Common App yet, don’t panic, but do get moving. Most Regular Decision schools will expect a personal statement, and Georgetown’s application doesn’t include the true Common App essay that other schools do. That means you may be starting from scratch while everyone else is polishing. But here’s the upside: you get to write with more perspective. With a few more months of life experience behind you, you may be in a better place to tell a story that really lands! Silver linings!
If you do already have a Common App essay, maybe you drafted one for another school but didn’t submit it, or submitted to some other EA schools, it’s time to give it a second look. Read it again, but this time, imagine you’re an admissions officer. Does it feel like an authentic reflection of your personality, values, and curiosity? Or could it have been written by any other high-achieving student?
The strongest essays are specific, reflective, and emotionally grounded. They sound like the writer. The most common traps we see are essays that list accomplishments instead of telling a story, essays that try to prove you learned some grand lesson, or ones that turn life into one big metaphor for something.
If your essay falls flat – or if you haven’t started one at all – it’s not too late. A powerful essay can absolutely reshape your narrative and help you stand out in a crowded Regular Decision pool. Personally, we love Prompt #7, writing an essay of your own design, because it gives you the most freedom to tell a truly personal, unique, and compelling story, but any prompt can turn into a good essay if you tell a story.
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 mid-to-late December, the clock is ticking. These next few weeks are critical. First, finalize your Common App essay. Then go through your activities section with a fine-toothed comb, make sure everything is clean, accurate, and prioritized well. Since Georgetown is not yet in the Common App (next year!), you may have to really go through the Common App and make sure you’ve filled everything out correctly.
Then comes the supplemental essays. Don’t treat these as afterthoughts, they’re just as important as your main essay. Each one should be sharp, thoughtful, and specific. Avoid the urge to copy-paste from school to school – and while you can get away with this for some prompts, each one needs to be looked at and edited to reflect the school you’re submitting it to. And don’t wait until 11:59 p.m. on January 1st to submit, we’ve seen too many last-minute tech issues derail great apps!
Once your RD applications are in, then it’s time to turn your attention back to Georgetown with an update.
Step Four: Update
Georgetown’s admissions office has a pretty detailed FAQ page on their EA process, but not a ton of info on deferrals themselves:
“I was deferred at Early Action. What can I do to increase my chances of being admitted at Regular Decision?
Early Action admission is offered to a limited number of students, those whom the Admissions Committee is certain they would offer admission based on information from freshman, sophomore and junior years only. Deferred students are strongly encouraged to maintain high senior year grades and submit any new information, such as standardized test scores, new honors or awards.”
Fairly minimal information, but gives us enough to go on. Here are some things you should compile and send:
Updated Grades
Your counselor usually submits this automatically, but confirm that it’s been sent
Updated Test Scores
If you’ve tested again and your scores have improved, go ahead and submit them
A Letter of Continued Interest (Deferral letter)
This is where you wil update them on everything else that’s been going on since you hit submit.
The Deferral Letter - Letter of Continued Interest
This letter is your chance to reconnect with Georgetown and affirm your continued enthusiasm. It’s not about rehashing your whole application; it’s about offering new context, clear updates, and a reaffirmed commitment.
Start your letter with a respectful greeting. If you’ve had any prior contact with your regional admissions officer, you can address them by name. If not, a general salutation to the admissions committee is perfectly appropriate. In the first few lines, you’ll want to be direct: confirm that Georgetown is still your top choice and that you would attend if admitted. Be explicit. Since you applied under a (semi) restrictive early action policy, they already know you were serious – now you’re showing that your commitment hasn’t wavered, even after the deferral.
The body of your letter should focus on the new. What’s changed since you submitted your application? Highlight two to three meaningful developments. These could be academic achievements, new responsibilities, notable awards, or personal or creative accomplishments that add depth to your file. Avoid listing minor updates; prioritize quality over quantity. Keep your tone confident and professional, and avoid sounding overly emotional or pleading.
Wrap up with a thank-you and another clear statement of your continued interest. Then, you will typically upload your letter to the applicant portal. If you have a regional rep’s contact info, and you’ve already had contact with them prior to applying EA, it’s okay to email a short note letting them know you’ve submitted an update, but don’t overdo it. Georgetown is watching how you follow up, so make it count.
Step Five: Wait
This is the most brutal stretch. You’ve done what you can: you applied early, followed up thoughtfully, and finished your Regular Decision applications strong. Now comes the waiting.
Try to avoid obsessing over what’s out of your control. Resist the urge to send more updates, emails, or extras unless something truly significant happens. Trust that your application, and your LOCI, will speak for itself.
Georgetown typically releases RD decisions in late March. Until then, focus on finishing senior year strong, taking care of yourself, and staying grounded in everything you’ve already accomplished. You’ve shown Georgetown your best self. The rest is up to them.
We can help you bounce back from a deferral or rejection. Reach out to us today to learn more.