We get it, hearing “deferred” from BU stings. You poured your time, energy, and hope into crafting an application that showed why you belonged in Boston. You clicked submit dreaming of a clear yes, and instead, you landed in limbo. It's easy to feel like this is a rejection in disguise. But it’s not. BU didn’t close the door – they said, “hold on, we need a little more time!” And that means you’ve still got a shot.
There’s a reason you chose Boston University as your ED school. Maybe you were drawn to the global focus, the access to major internships, or the chance to study across disciplines at a major research institution in the heart of a big city. Take a second to sit with the disappointment, eat a comfort snack, go for a walk – then let’s talk strategy. You’ve got another chance to make your case, and we’re here to walk you through it.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If your college strategy leaned heavily toward BU, it’s time for a reality check. Some students go all in on their ED school and leave the rest of their list fuzzy. That’s a problem we can fix. With deadlines around the corner, your next move should be reevaluating your college list. Is it balanced, with a mix of targets, reaches, and safeties? Do you have schools where your GPA and test scores (if submitted) line up well with their admitted averages? Do you actually want to go to every school you’re applying to?
And think about why BU felt like the right fit. Was it the urban setting? The strong internship programs? The interdisciplinary approach? Find other schools that share those traits – Northeastern, NYU, GW, American, maybe even some UCs or top state flagships. Build a list that’s not just “prestigious” but personal and practical.
And yes, we’re going to say it: now’s not the time to procrastinate. Supplements matter. Most students underestimate how important the school-specific essays are, and most students leave them until the last minute. Don’t be most students. We've got a mountain of guidance on our blog to help you write sharp, tailored supplements – use it.
Step Two: Revisit Your Common App
Now that you’re getting back into application mode, it’s time for a brutal self-edit. Pull up your Common App essay and give it a fresh read. Does it actually sound like you? Or does it sound like what you think colleges want to hear? Be honest with yourself – if the essay is polished but impersonal, or impressive but generic, you’re not doing yourself any favors.
The strongest essays are the ones only you could have written. They’re detailed, reflective, honest, maybe even a little weird. They don’t just describe what you did, they show it through an engaging story. If your essay is reading a little stiff or surface-level, consider revising or even starting fresh. This is your chance to stand out in the Regular Decision pool.
We still love Prompt #7 for its open-endedness, but you can write a fantastic essay with any prompt if the story’s right. Just avoid the usual pitfalls: rewriting your resume in prose, writing about someone else’s journey, or sounding so edited that you lose your voice. If your essay’s serving robot, take another pass. If you need help with a total rewrite, we’ve got you.
Need to completely revamp your Common App essay? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Step Three: Other Applications
It’s go time. If it’s late December or early January and you’re still staring at a long to-do list, welcome to the club – but don’t panic! Start with the personal statement, then move quickly to the rest of your app. Your activities list needs to be tight, clear, and in order of impact. If you need to use the additional info section, it should be for explaining important circumstances, not just restating anything from your resume or activities.
Then come the supplements. They’re not just filler, they’re a test of fit. Schools want to know: have you done your research? Are you going to contribute to our campus community? Can you take advantage of what we offer? That’s what these prompts are really asking.
And please, for the love of all things digital, do not wait until 11:59 PM to submit. We’ve heard it all, servers crash, Wi-Fi cuts out, someone’s laptop dies at the worst moment. Don’t let that be your story. Get your apps done early and give yourself the gift of a stress-free January.
Once all of your Regular Decision apps are squared away, then, and only then, circle back to BU.
Step Four: Update
BU’s deferral instructions are vague at best:
“If you are an Early Decision applicant who is not admitted, your application may be deferred for consideration during the regular admissions cycle. In that case, you will be considered for admission only after submitting your mid-year grades. You will be notified of a final admission decision in late March.”
Annoyingly vague, but we’ve been here before and know what to do. You’ll want to prepare a few key materials:
Mid-Year Report and Mid-Year Transcript
Your school counselor should automatically send this, but it never hurts to check in.
Updated Test Scores
If you’ve improved your SAT or ACT, go ahead and report it.
Additional letters of rec (optional!)
Only include one if it’s deeply personal and adds something new. A generic rec from someone tangentially connected to BU? Probably not worth it.
The LOCI (Letter of Continued Interest)
This is the big one.
The Deferral Letter – Letter of Continued Interest
A deferral letter, often called a LOCI, or Letter of Continued Interest, is your chance to reconnect with Boston University and reiterate your enthusiasm. This isn’t about restating your entire application or trying to cram in everything you’ve ever accomplished. It’s about giving BU a thoughtful, timely update: “I’m still here, I’m still interested, and here’s what’s new.”
Your letter should be clear, concise, and sincere. No grand speeches, no pleading, and definitely no extended “why BU” essay, you already told them that. This is your follow-up, and it should feel like a strategic continuation of your story. Keep it to around 300 words unless you’ve had truly exceptional developments to share since applying – think publication-level projects, major awards, or standout new leadership roles.
Format it like a formal letter. You’ll most likely upload it via your applicant portal, but if you’ve previously been in touch with your regional admissions officer, it’s okay to send a copy to them telling them you uploaded it to the portal.
Begin your letter with a clear and direct statement: Boston University remains your top choice, and you would immediately accept an offer if admitted. This is crucial. Your ED commitment no longer guarantees enrollment, so you want BU to know your intentions haven’t changed.
The main body should include two or three meaningful updates. Focus on standout achievements, academic recognition, new responsibilities, artistic or professional milestones, or anything else significant. Don’t waste space on minor grade changes or repetitive accomplishments. Choose the updates that help move your application forward. If you don’t have a ton of updates, find opportunities at BU that match your current activities and talk about how you’re excited to continue doing XYZ at their school.
Wrap it up with a genuine thank-you for their time and consideration, reiterate your continued interest in BU, and close with a respectful sign-off. Keep your tone confident and appreciative. You’re not starting from scratch – BU already saw promise in your application. Show them that you're still the kind of student they’d be lucky to have.
Step Five: Wait
This part is rough. You did everything right, and now it’s out of your hands. This is not the time to panic-send another email, beg for an interview, or casually plan a “surprise” campus visit. That will not help. It might actually hurt.
What you can do is rest in the knowledge that you’ve submitted a thoughtful application, put together a strategic college list, and followed up with a professional and compelling LOCI. That’s your job. You’ve done it.
BU usually releases decisions in late March, so for now, shift your focus. Put energy into your remaining classes. Take care of yourself. Celebrate the work you’ve already done. And remember: a deferral is not the end – it’s just a longer wait for a potentially great outcome. You’ve got this!
We can help you bounce back from a deferral or rejection. Reach out to us today to learn more.