It’s tough news. You put your heart into your UChicago ED application, hit submit, and waited with hope. But now you’re stuck in that frustrating in-between: deferred. It’s not the outcome you wanted, but it’s also not the end of the road. A deferral is a pause, not a rejection. So take a breath. You’ve still got options, and you’ve still got agency in this process.
Being deferred feels personal. But it’s not about your worth or how smart you are. You are an impressive student with a bright future ahead. This outcome has less to do with your achievements and more to do with how competitive UChicago admissions really is. Still, while you can’t change the past, there’s plenty you can do from here.
Let’s put things into context. UChicago’s Early Decision admission rate is estimated to be in the 20-30% range, and for Regular Decision, it drops closer to 4%. Unfortunately, the school doesn’t share data on how many deferred applicants are ultimately admitted. (And no, they haven’t returned our calls about that!). It’s true that UChicago accepts about 70% of their applicants every year from ED, EA, and ED2, but that number might include deferred students. And more on UChicago’s ED2 in a bit, because they offer something that might make you feel even more hopeful.
There’s a reason you applied to UChicago – it likely offered the kind of intellectual challenge, academic structure, and quirky vibe you were looking for. That’s still valid. And more importantly, your application is still in play. You’ve got a second shot. Once you’ve had a moment to feel your feelings, it’s time to regroup and figure out your next steps. Let’s go.
Step One: Double-Check Your College List
If UChicago was your only application so far, don’t freak out, but don’t wait around either. The next few weeks are critical. Start by reviewing your college list. Is it robust and realistic? A good list typically includes a balanced mix of reach, target, and safety schools – somewhere between 8 and 12 in total. Take a close look at how your grades, scores, and activities line up with each school’s admitted student profile.
And while we’re at it: your list shouldn’t only revolve around big names or schools you think sound impressive. Think deeper. If what drew you to UChicago was the Core Curriculum or the emphasis on intellectual curiosity, other colleges offer similar vibes, including Ivies like Yale or Brown, reach liberal arts schools like Amherst, Pomona, Carnegie Mellon, or WashU, or even more accessible schools like Reed, Wesleyan, or Carleton. Expand your search to include schools that match your priorities – whether that’s open-ended curriculum, strong faculty mentorship, urban setting, or offbeat culture.
Once your list feels solid, it’s time to get writing. Your supplemental essays are where you show schools who you really are and why you’d thrive there. Don't procrastinate. We’ve got guides on tons of school-specific prompts to help you crush it.
Step Two: Revisit Your Common App
Now’s a smart time to take a hard look at your Common App essay. Ask yourself honestly – does it stand out? Does it sound like you? Or could it be mistaken for something pulled from a template? We’re not saying there’s only one right way to write a college essay, but our most successful clients tend to submit essays that are bold, specific, and unmistakably personal. And if you applied to UChicago, there’s a pretty good bet you do have a creative essay, but it never hurts to take a second look.
We love Prompt #7 (she’s a classic for a reason), but you can create something special from almost any prompt if you lean into your voice. What usually holds students back are overused topics (scoring the big goal, your grandma, the worst day of your life (parenthetical inside a parenthetical to say you do not need to pimp out your trauma to get into college,and you have our permission not to do that), or something about your academic interests), essays that read like glorified resumes, or stories that lack insight into who you are. And rushed drafts, especially those written around December 27th, are a common culprit.
If you need to make a big change, it’s not too late. And if you’re starting to panic – don’t. We’re happy to help if you need a fresh pair of eyes.
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 between mid-December and early January, you’re deep in the most critical stretch of the admissions timeline. Deadlines are coming up fast. Your top priority right now is to polish and finalize your Common App essay.
Once that’s locked down, review your activities list and make sure it’s sharp and up to date. Then shift your attention to those supplemental essays. Please don’t wait until 11:57 p.m. on deadline night to submit. Submitting early means less stress and fewer tech issues. Once everything else is in, and only then, it’s time to send your final note to UChicago.
Step Four: Update
UChicago has nothing on their website about deferrals, but we have a copy of an email they sent to applicants last year:
“Thank you for the time and effort you put forth in your application to UChicago! Admissions decisions for Early Action and Early Decision I applicants will be available Friday, December 20 through your UChicago Account.
What Decisions Mean
Admit: Congratulations! If you were admitted through the Early Decision I round, you have until January 17, 2025 to confirm your enrollment. If you were admitted through the Early Action round, you have until May 1, 2025 to reply to the University of Chicago.
Defer: We are not able to offer you a place in the Class of 2029 at this time, but we will reconsider your application and give you a final decision during the Early Decision II or Regular Decision round if you complete the defer response form. Please complete this form in your UChicago Account by January 17, 2025.
Students who elect to move into our binding Early Decision II application pool must complete the Early Decision II Agreement form in their UChicago Account. Students who previously applied in the Early Decision I round do not need to resubmit this form if electing to be considered in the Early Decision II round.”
Interestingly, unlike any other college we typically work with, UChicago allows deferred students to double down and shift their application to ED2. We do not recommend this for the majority of applicants – the UChicago student, if you will, is very distinct, and unless you have something new and killer to include (think perfect score on the SAT), this may not be your best option, especially since it seems you will not be submitting new essays or your refreshed application along with it. Please reach out to us if you’d like an application review – we are very good at UChicago applications and can give you solid insight into if this is the right move for you.
Moving on, here’s what they want from you as a deferred student:
Mid-Year Report and Transcript
This should come from your school counselor—most schools send them automatically, but it’s worth confirming.
New Test Scores (optional)
Only submit these if they’re meaningfully better than what’s already in your file.
“Supplemental Materials” (optional)
Incredibly vague: “You can continue to upload supplemental materials directly to your UChicago Account through the Portfolio and Upload Materials sections. This is not necessary, but if you do have additional materials you’d like to share, please feel free to upload them.” Feels like a trap to us, but maybe you could put published research here or some kind of award?
ED2 Agreement (optional)
If you choose to double down.
Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
Important. More on this below.
The Deferral Letter—Letter of continued interest
Your deferral letter – also known as a letter of continued interest (LOCI) – is your opportunity to reaffirm your commitment to UChicago and highlight what’s new since you first applied. It’s your shot to say I’m still in, and here’s why you should still want me.
Here’s what a strong LOCI should do: 1) Confirm that UChicago remains your top choice, 2) Promise you’ll attend if accepted, and 3) Provide 2–3 meaningful updates that strengthen your file. No need to restate your resume or rehash your application. Just focus on fresh, relevant progress.
Keep it short, ideally 300 words, max 400. Be clear, enthusiastic, and direct. No begging, no fluff. Make it professional but personal.
Start with a greeting. If you know your regional admissions officer, address them by name. If not, “Dear University of Chicago Admissions Office” works great. In the opening lines, say, clearly, sincerely, and directly, that if admitted, you will enroll. Do not skip this. You must explicitly state that you will attend if accepted. This is key. When you applied ED, you were a guaranteed “yes” and they knew you’d positively impact their yield rate. Now that you’re in the Regular pool, they need reassurance that you’re still all in. UChicago has a very high yield rate and they want to keep it that way.
Then, get into your updates. This is the meat of the letter. Focus on what’s new and notable: academic honors, new leadership roles, creative projects, independent research, jobs, etc. Improved grades or making the soccer team may not be particularly noteworthy if you have something more impressive. The updates should take up most of your word count.
Close with a brief thank you and one more explicit acknowledgment of your commitment. Upload the letter to your UChicago Account. If you’ve got your regional rep’s email, feel free to send a copy to them with a polite note letting them know it’s been submitted and asking if they need anything else from you.
Step Five: Wait
Yeah, we know. This part’s no fun. But trust us, there’s nothing to be gained from sending extra updates, pestering admissions, or (please don’t) showing up on campus unannounced. You’ve done everything you can.
You built a smart list. You prepped strong apps. You wrote a thoughtful LOCI. Now it’s their turn. UChicago decisions will be released with the rest of the Regular Decision batch, typically in late March.
So, hang in there. Stay focused on the rest of senior year. And remember: no matter what happens, this isn’t the end of the story. You’ve got this!
We can help you bounce back from a deferral or rejection. Reach out to us today to learn more.