Quick Answer: What Should I Do If I Get Deferred?
Your most important action after getting deferred is maintaining or improving your senior year grades. Strong first semester grades provide concrete evidence of continued academic excellence. Beyond grades, send a compelling letter of continued interest, share meaningful new achievements, and consider an additional letter of recommendation if it adds genuinely new perspective. Learn more about what a deferral really means and your next steps.
Understanding What to Do When Your Student Gets Deferred
Getting a deferral letter instead of an acceptance can feel devastating. I've sat with hundreds of families when this news arrives, and the first question is always the same: what should I do if I get deferred? The good news is that a deferral is not a rejection. It means the admissions committee sees potential in your student's application but wants to see more before making a final decision.
Over my 18 years working with students through the college admissions process, I've guided many families through successful deferral strategies. The key is understanding that if you're wondering what should I do if I get deferred, you're asking exactly the right question at exactly the right time. The months between a December deferral and the final decision in March or April represent a genuine opportunity to strengthen your student's candidacy.
When families ask me what should I do if I get deferred, my answer always starts with the same reassurance: this is not over. In fact, some of my most successful student outcomes have come after initial deferrals. Last year, I worked with a student who was deferred from Yale and ultimately accepted in the regular decision round after we implemented a strategic response plan. What made the difference wasn't luck, it was a thoughtful, well-executed approach to the waiting period.
Why Colleges Defer Applicants
Before diving into what should I do if I get deferred, it's helpful to understand why colleges defer students in the first place. According to the Common Application, highly selective schools defer significant portions of their early applicant pools because they want to compare these candidates against the full regular decision pool before making final decisions.
Universities defer applicants for several strategic reasons. They may want to see your student's first semester senior year grades to confirm academic trajectory. They might need to better understand how your student compares to the full applicant pool. Sometimes they're managing enrollment targets and need more data about yield rates from the early round before committing additional spots.
Understanding this context helps answer what should I do if I get deferred more effectively. You're not trying to completely reinvent your student's application. Instead, you're providing targeted updates that address the committee's likely questions and demonstrate continued excellence and commitment.
The Timeline: When to Take Action After a Deferral
Timing matters significantly when considering what should I do if I get deferred. Most early decision and early action decisions come out in mid-December. Your student's first semester senior year typically ends in late January. Regular decision notification dates usually fall in late March or early April. This timeline creates a natural structure for your response strategy.
I recommend families begin planning their response immediately after receiving the deferral. However, the most impactful updates usually happen after first semester grades are finalized. This timing allows you to send substantive academic updates rather than premature messages that lack meaningful new information.
Senior Year Academic Updates That Matter
The most important element of what should I do if I get deferred involves your senior year academic performance. Colleges deferred your student partly to see continued academic strength, so first semester grades carry enormous weight in the final decision.
First Semester Grades
When families ask what should I do if I get deferred, I always emphasize that maintaining or improving grades is non-negotiable. If your student's first semester grades show an upward trend or sustained excellence in rigorous courses, this becomes powerful evidence for the admissions committee.
I worked with a student last year who was deferred from Princeton. His first semester senior year grades showed straight As in five AP courses, including AP Calculus BC and AP Physics C. We made sure those grades were prominently featured in his update to the admissions office. He was admitted in the regular round, and I'm confident those grades played a significant role.
Example: Academic Update Email
"I wanted to share my first semester senior year grades with you. I earned a 4.0 GPA while taking AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C, AP Literature, AP Government, and Advanced Topics in Computer Science. My calculus grade improved to an A+ after receiving an A- junior year, reflecting my continued growth in mathematical reasoning."
New Coursework or Independent Study
If your student has started any new academic pursuits since submitting their application, this helps answer what should I do if I get deferred. Perhaps they're taking an additional online course through a university. Maybe they've begun an independent study project with a teacher mentor. These updates show intellectual curiosity and initiative.
One of my students who was deferred from Stanford had started an independent research project in environmental science with a local professor. We included this in her update, along with preliminary findings. It demonstrated that her academic interests extended beyond required coursework and aligned perfectly with her intended major.
New Achievements and Recognition
When considering what should I do if I get deferred, new awards and achievements since your application submission deserve prominent mention. However, the key word here is "new." Don't rehash accomplishments that were already in the original application.
Academic Competitions and Awards
If your student has won any academic competitions, earned recognition in science fairs, or received new scholarships since applying, these strengthen the deferred application significantly. According to NACAC data, demonstrated achievement in competitive academic settings provides objective validation of student abilities.
Last year, I had a student deferred from Columbia who went on to win a regional math competition in January. This wasn't just another line on a resume, it was concrete evidence that he could compete successfully at high levels in his intended field of study. We made sure the admissions office knew about this achievement.
Leadership Roles and Community Impact
Many students wondering what should I do if I get deferred overlook new leadership responsibilities or community impact that has emerged during senior year. If your student was recently elected to a new position, completed a significant community project, or took on additional responsibilities in an existing activity, these updates matter.
Example: Achievement Update
"Since submitting my application, I was selected as one of 15 students statewide to participate in the Governor's STEM Fellowship program. This included presenting research on renewable energy solutions to state legislators and collaborating with graduate students at the state university on a policy white paper."
Additional Letters of Recommendation
A common question within what should I do if I get deferred concerns whether to submit additional letters of recommendation. The answer depends on whether new recommenders can provide genuinely different perspectives that strengthen your student's candidacy.
I generally recommend an additional letter only if it meets one of these criteria: it comes from someone who has worked with your student in a new capacity since the application was submitted, it provides insight into an aspect of your student's character or abilities not covered in the original letters, or it comes from someone with specific relevant expertise or connection to your student's intended field.
A student I worked with who was deferred from Yale had begun working with a professor on a research project in November. By January, this professor could speak authentically about the student's research abilities, intellectual curiosity, and potential for college-level work. That letter provided new information the admissions committee hadn't seen before, making it valuable rather than redundant.
Who Should Write Additional Recommendations
When families ask what should I do if I get deferred regarding additional recommendations, I advise careful selection. The best additional recommenders are usually research mentors, internship supervisors, community organization leaders where your student has taken on significant responsibility, or teachers of new courses who can speak to recent academic growth.
Avoid asking for additional letters from people who will essentially repeat what was already said in the original application. A second letter from another regular classroom teacher usually doesn't help unless that teacher can speak to remarkable recent achievements or growth.
The Letter of Continued Interest
The centerpiece of what should I do if I get deferred is the letter of continued interest. This is your student's opportunity to communicate directly with the admissions committee, reaffirm genuine interest in attending, and provide meaningful updates since the original application.
I've reviewed thousands of these letters over the years, and the difference between effective and ineffective letters is stark. The best letters are specific, focused, and forward-looking. They demonstrate knowledge of the university beyond surface-level details and connect new information to the student's original narrative. For detailed guidance on structure and tone, read our comprehensive guide on how to write a letter of continued interest.
What to Include
When crafting a response to what should I do if I get deferred through the letter of continued interest, include these elements: a clear statement that this school remains your student's first choice if that's true, specific updates about academic performance and new achievements, explanation of why the school is the right fit based on recent campus visits or conversations with current students, and one or two specific programs, courses, or opportunities your student is excited about.
Be authentic here. Admissions officers can spot generic enthusiasm from a mile away. If your student has had meaningful interactions with the university since applying, perhaps attending an information session, connecting with a professor, or participating in a virtual event, mention these specifically.
Example: Letter of Continued Interest Opening
"Thank you for your continued consideration of my application. Princeton remains my first choice, and I wanted to share several meaningful updates since I applied in November. My first semester senior grades demonstrate continued academic strength, and I've also taken on new research responsibilities that have deepened my commitment to studying molecular biology."
What NOT to Include
Understanding what should I do if I get deferred also means knowing what not to do. Never express disappointment with the deferral itself or question the admissions committee's judgment. Avoid rehashing information that was already in the original application without adding new context. Don't include updates about minor or trivial achievements that don't meaningfully strengthen the candidacy.
I once had a family want to mention that their daughter had won "student of the month" at a part-time job. While nice, this wasn't the type of achievement that would move the needle for a deferred Columbia application. We focused instead on her published research paper and significant improvement in AP Physics grades.
Strategic Considerations for Multiple Deferrals
Many students facing what should I do if I get deferred are actually dealing with multiple deferrals if they applied to several schools early. In these cases, you need to prioritize your efforts strategically.
Focus the most detailed, personalized updates on your student's genuine top choice schools. For other schools, you can send briefer updates highlighting the most significant new information. Be careful about claiming each school is the "first choice," as admissions offices sometimes communicate with each other and authenticity matters.
I had a student last year deferred from both MIT and Stanford. We crafted specific, tailored letters for each that honestly acknowledged he'd be thrilled to attend either but highlighted different aspects of his profile that aligned with each school's distinct culture and academic strengths. He was ultimately admitted to Stanford.
What to Do While Waiting for the Final Decision
After implementing what should I do if I get deferred strategies, your student still faces months of waiting. This period requires continued focus and strategic thinking about the overall college list.
First and most importantly, maintain strong academic performance. Second semester grades matter, especially at schools where you're deferred. Admissions committees can and do request mid-year and even third quarter grade reports before making final decisions.
Stay genuinely engaged with schools that deferred your student, but don't overdo communication. One well-crafted letter of continued interest with substantive updates is far better than multiple emails with minor news. If something truly significant happens, like winning a major competition or receiving a prestigious award, it's appropriate to send a brief update.
Make sure your student's regular decision applications are strong. Many families become so focused on what should I do if I get deferred that they don't give adequate attention to other applications. The statistical reality is that most deferred students are not ultimately admitted, so having excellent options in the regular round is essential.
Understanding Realistic Outcomes
I always try to set realistic expectations when families ask what should I do if I get deferred. The truth is that acceptance rates for deferred students vary significantly by school, but they're generally quite low at the most selective universities.
According to data from various universities, anywhere from 5% to 20% of deferred students are ultimately admitted in the regular round, depending on the institution. For specific statistics by school, including Ivy League and top universities, see our detailed breakdown of college deferral statistics. This means that even with an excellent response to the deferral, your student faces challenging odds. This isn't meant to discourage strategic action, but rather to emphasize the importance of having a well-balanced college list.
I've seen wonderful outcomes for students who were deferred and then admitted after implementing strong deferral strategies. I've also seen students deferred and ultimately denied who went on to thrive at other excellent universities. The deferral doesn't define your student's worth or potential.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
In my years of advising families on what should I do if I get deferred, I've seen several common mistakes that can actually hurt an application.
Don't have parents contact the admissions office to advocate or ask for explanations. This rarely helps and can sometimes create a negative impression. Don't send excessive updates about minor achievements. Quality matters far more than quantity. Don't express negative emotions about the deferral or suggest the decision was unfair.
Avoid sending gifts or unusual materials to try to stand out. Admissions offices explicitly discourage this, and it doesn't influence decisions. Don't fabricate or exaggerate achievements. Integrity matters, and misrepresentations can result in rescinded admissions if discovered.
Finally, don't neglect your student's emotional wellbeing during this stressful time. The waiting period after a deferral is genuinely difficult, especially when peers may have received acceptances. Make sure your family maintains perspective and supports your student's mental health alongside the practical aspects of what should I do if I get deferred.
Moving Forward with Confidence
If you're asking what should I do if I get deferred, you're already taking the right approach by seeking strategic guidance rather than giving up. A deferral, while disappointing, represents continued possibility. By focusing on meaningful updates, maintaining academic excellence, and demonstrating genuine interest, your student gives themselves the best possible chance in the regular decision round.
Remember that your student's value and future success aren't determined by any single admissions decision. I've worked with countless students who faced deferrals and rejections from their dream schools but went on to have extraordinary college experiences and successful careers. The college admissions process is imperfect and often unpredictable, but your student's talent, hard work, and potential remain constant regardless of any particular outcome.
Focus on what you can control: strong grades, meaningful updates, and authentic communication. Then trust that the right outcome will emerge, whether that's ultimately an acceptance from the school that deferred your student or an opportunity at another excellent institution.
If you need personalized guidance on what should I do if I get deferred specific to your student's situation, Stand Out College Prep offers expert consulting to help families navigate this challenging process. We can help craft compelling letters of continued interest, identify the most strategic updates to share, and develop a comprehensive plan for the remainder of the admissions cycle.
