Getting deferred from Amherst isn’t easy to hear – especially after everything you put into that application. You wrote, edited, revised, and hit submit, imagining what life might look like on the First-Year Quad. Now you’re sitting in limbo. Not accepted. Not rejected. Just… waiting. It’s confusing, frustrating, and yes, disappointing. But here’s the thing: Amherst didn’t say no. You’re still being considered. And that counts.
So give yourself a minute. Be sad. Be mad. Go for a walk, vent to a friend, do whatever helps. Then, when you’re ready, come back and remember this: a deferral isn’t a commentary on your talent or your potential. It’s a result of an incredibly competitive process at a school that admits a very small percentage of early applicants. Amherst’s Early Decision admit rate is low, under 30%, and Regular Decision is even more selective. But numbers don’t define you, and this is far from over.
Unlike some other schools, Amherst doesn’t release specific statistics about how many deferred ED applicants are later accepted, but we’ve seen it happen. Many times. So let’s make sure you’re taking smart, well-timed steps from here.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If Amherst was your main focus, and especially if it was your only Early Decision school, you may have pushed other apps to the back burner. That’s okay. A lot of students go all-in on their top choice. But now that the situation has shifted, it’s time to regroup and approach Regular Decision with a clear strategy.
Take a fresh look at your list. Do you have a healthy spread of reach, target, and safety schools? A good rule of thumb is around 8–12 total. And most importantly, are they schools you’d actually want to attend? If you’ve only applied to Amherst, Williams, and Brown, you need to make the list a little more diverse.
Think about what drew you to Amherst: maybe it was the open curriculum, the tight-knit community, the commitment to undergraduate teaching, or the chance to dive into your academic interests right away. Use that as your guide. Schools like Carleton, Davidson, Grinnell, Wesleyan, or even research institutions with strong undergrad focus like Pomona or Tufts might also be a good fit. Consider honors programs at larger schools, too. Look for places that support your goals, not just ones with familiar names.
Once your list feels right, shift your attention to the supplements. This is where you show schools that you’ve done your research and can explain exactly why you belong there. Be personal. Be specific. Be proactive. These essays matter more than people realize, and the earlier you start, the better you’ll do.
Step Two: Revisit Your Common App
Now that you’ve got a little space from your original submission, it’s a great time to look at your Common App essay with new eyes. Imagine you’re reading it for the first time. Does it sound like you? Does it say something meaningful? Or does it blend into the thousands of other well-written but ultimately forgettable essays?
Schools read thousands of essays each cycle, and most of them are solid. But the ones that stick? They have heart. They’re detailed. They’re unmistakably personal. You don’t need a shocking story. You just need to be honest and specific.
Prompt #7 often gives students the most creative freedom, but any prompt can work if your voice is strong and the reflection is clear. Watch out for common missteps: listing your résumé, writing about someone else more than yourself, or summarizing events without showing how they shaped you.
If something feels off, trust that instinct. It’s not too late to revise, and a powerful rewrite can make all the difference for RD and ED2 applications.
Need to completely revamp your Common App essay? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Step Three: Other Applications
Mid-December to early January is no joke; it’s one of the most intense parts of this whole process. But now that you’ve had time to process your Amherst deferral, you’ve got to shift gears fast.
Start by reviewing your activities list. Has anything changed since you submitted your Early Decision application? If so, update it. Did you take on a new leadership role? Win an award? Launch a new project? Add those accomplishments before you hit submit on your next round of schools.
Then, it’s all about the supplements. Be thoughtful. Be thorough. Schools want to know why you’re applying to them now that your early plan didn’t go as expected. This is where being specific really matters. If a school asks, “Why us?” you better have a clear answer – and no, you can’t just copy-paste what you wrote for Amherst. Use the foundation, sure, but build something new for each school that actually reflects their offerings and your fit.
Once your Regular Decision applications are polished and submitted, then, and only then, should you return to Amherst with an update. But we’ll get to that in a second.
Step Four: Update
Amherst doesn’t offer a ton of clarity about what to do after a deferral. But here’s what we recommend based on years of experience:
From experience, here are some things you may need to compile:
Mid-Year Report and Mid-Year Transcript
Your school counselor should submit this once first-semester grades are finalized. Double-check that they do.
Updated Test Scores
If you’ve taken the SAT or ACT again and your scores improved, send them along.
Letter of Continued Interest
This is your moment to re-engage with Amherst and show that you’re still serious.
Now, let’s get into the letter!
The Deferral Letter - Letter of Continued Interest
Your LOCI is not a place to repeat what’s already in your application. It’s a concise, confident, well-written letter that says: I’m still in, and here’s what I’ve been up to since I applied.
Keep it under 300 words, unless you’ve had a truly standout development that warrants a little extra space. The tone should be respectful, enthusiastic, and clear – not desperate. You want to show maturity and focus, not panic.
Start with a formal greeting. If you’ve been in contact with your regional rep, use their name. Otherwise, “Dear Amherst Admissions Committee” is perfectly fine.
In the opening lines, reaffirm that Amherst remains your top choice, and that you would immediately accept an offer of admission if extended. Be direct. They need to know that your interest hasn’t wavered, even after the deferral.
Then, offer 2–3 meaningful updates. These might include academic achievements, new leadership positions, creative work, research, or advanced coursework. Highlight what’s new, why it matters, and how it makes you an even better fit for Amherst.
Close with a sincere thank-you and a final note reinforcing your continued excitement about joining the Amherst community. Upload the letter to your portal, and if you’ve corresponded with your rep, you can send a quick heads-up email letting them know it’s been submitted.
Step Five: Wait
This is where it gets tough again. Once your LOCI is in and your RD apps are done, you have to step back and trust the process. Amherst doesn’t want extra emails, surprise updates, or frequent check-ins. More isn’t more, it’s just annoying.
Your application will be reviewed again during the Regular Decision process in the spring. Until then, focus on your schoolwork, stay involved in your activities, and keep being the awesome human who put together that impressive application in the first place.
Whether Amherst comes through in the end or not, you’re going to land somewhere great. And if you want help making sure that happens – we’re here.
We can help you bounce back from a deferral or rejection. Reach out to us today to learn more.