You’ve Been Deferred, What’s Next?

Kenny Sholes
Dec 17
3 min read

If you’ve just opened a decision letter that says “Deferred,” you’re probably feeling a confusing mix of disappointment, anxiety, and uncertainty. It’s not a yes, but it’s not a no either. And that gray space can feel heavier than a rejection.

Let’s start with the most important truth:

A deferral is not the end of the road.

It is a signal that the college saw enough strength in your application to keep you in consideration. How you respond matters.

First: What a Deferral Actually Means

When a college defers you (from Early Action or Early Decision to Regular Decision), it usually means:

Your application was competitive
The college wants to see more context (senior-year grades, updated achievements, or how the overall pool shapes up)
You’re being reconsidered alongside a much larger applicant group

A deferral is not a judgment of your worth or your potential. It’s a timing decision.

Context is important as deferrals also vary greatly by school. Duke admitted 12% of their EA applications this year and deferred another 20-25%, MIT admitted 5% with 65% of students receiving a deferred decision, and Georgetown delivers no denials, choosing to defer any students not admitted.

Common (and Understandable) Mistakes After a Deferral

Students often respond emotionally instead of strategically. Some common missteps:

Doing nothing and hoping for the best
Sending a rushed or generic letter of continued interest
Over-emailing admissions offices
Mentally “giving up” on the school altogether

The goal after a deferral is intentional, measured action—not panic.

What You Should Do After Being Deferred

1. Pause and Reframe

Give yourself a moment to feel disappointed. Then shift your mindset: This school didn’t say no. They said: not yet. That distinction matters.

2. Review Your Application Objectively

This is where clarity matters most. Ask:

Was my academic profile aligned with this school’s middle 50%?
Did my essays clearly communicate my voice, values, and academic direction?
Were there any weaker areas (grades, rigor, testing, activities) that could improve with time?

This step is hard to do alone—because students are often too close to their own story.

3. Decide Whether to Send a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)

Not every school wants one. If a school indicates that they do NOT want any additional information, don’t send anything!

A strong LOCI:

Is concise and specific
Reinforces why the school is a strong fit
Includes meaningful updates (academic progress, new leadership, awards, research, work, or service)
Reflects maturity, reflection, and continued enthusiasm

A weak LOCI simply repeats information or sounds desperate.

(See this blog post for more information on LOCI’s: https://www.foundryadmissions.com/post/college-deferrals-and-letters-of-continued-interest )

4. Strengthen the Rest of Your College List

Here’s an important mindset shift: You don’t put your life on hold for one school.

While you remain in consideration, you should also: