If your student was recently deferred, you're not alone. With early applications at an all-time high, deferrals are becoming one of the most common outcomes of the 2025 admissions cycle, especially at highly selective colleges. It can feel confusing and discouraging to receive a "maybe" instead of a "yes," and even more confusing to understand what it means for your student's chances moving forward.
That's where clear, accurate college deferral statistics are essential.
In this guide, I'll break down the latest college deferral statistics for 2025, including how often colleges defer students, what percentage eventually get admitted, how deferrals vary across Ivy+ and Top 50 schools, and why strategy makes a measurable difference in the final outcome. Most importantly, you'll learn what these numbers mean for your student right now and how to use them to take the strongest next steps.
A deferral is not a rejection. Your student is still in the running. The key is understanding the data, staying grounded in reality, and moving forward with clarity and purpose. Let's begin.
What You Need to Know Right Now
Quick Answer: Understanding College Deferral Statistics
What is a deferral?
Your student's application is postponed to Regular Decision. They're still in consideration. This is not a rejection.
How common are deferrals?
At highly selective colleges, college deferral statistics show that 30–80% of early applicants are deferred. At schools like Harvard and MIT, 70–80% of early applicants are deferred.
What are the chances after deferral?
Based on college deferral statistics:
- Ivy+ schools: 2–8% of deferred students are eventually admitted
- Top 20 privates: 5–15% of deferred students eventually admitted
- Top 50 schools: 10–25% of deferred students eventually admitted
Does strategy actually matter?
Yes, significantly. Students admitted after deferral almost always take strategic action. Students who wait quietly almost never get in.
What should you do first?
Read your student's deferral letter carefully, meet with their counselor within one week, and start planning their Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI).
Your student was deferred. Now you're googling college deferral statistics at midnight, trying to figure out what this actually means for their chances.
Not the platitudes. The reality.
Let's start with this: a deferral is not a denial. But it is also not a waiting room where nothing happens.
This post walks through college deferral statistics for 2025, what they tell us, and how families should interpret them without panic or false hope.
How Common Are Deferrals in 2025?
Deferrals are more common than most families realize, especially at selective colleges.
Over the past several admissions cycles, colleges have increasingly used deferral as a way to manage enrollment uncertainty, reevaluate students in the context of the Regular Decision pool, and preserve flexibility in shaping the final class.
At many Top 50 colleges, 30–60% of Early Action or Early Decision applicants are deferred. At the most selective schools, the percentage can be even higher.
From an admissions standpoint, a deferral often means: "You're academically qualified, but we need more context before making a final decision."
That context comes from two places: the rest of the applicant pool, and what your student does after being deferred.
Does a Deferral Mean Rejection?
No. But it also does not mean your student is "basically in."
A deferral means the admissions office saw enough strength to keep the application alive, but not enough clarity to say yes yet. Your student is still competitive, but no longer evaluated in isolation. They are now compared directly against strong Regular Decision applicants, other deferred students, and institutional priorities that may shift between December and March.
The key takeaway: deferred students who are later admitted almost always strengthen or clarify their application in some way. Waiting quietly is rarely the winning move.
What Successful Deferred Students Do Differently
Here's what I've observed across hundreds of applications: students with a clear strategy don't always get in. But students without one almost never do.
Example: Strategic Follow-Up That Worked
One of my students was deferred from Duke. Rather than sending a generic LOCI, we focused on three specific updates: a research project she completed in December that aligned perfectly with Duke's Innovation Studio, her election as president of Model UN (demonstrating leadership continuity), and a thoughtful paragraph about why Duke's Public Policy program was the right fit for her specific career goals in education policy.
She was admitted in March. Her LOCI didn't just say "I'm still interested." It showed growth, clarity, and institutional fit.
Students admitted after deferral typically do three things well:
- They provide meaningful academic updates (stronger grades, continued rigor, new coursework that supports readiness).
- They clarify academic direction with specificity (why this major, why this program, why now).
- They submit a strong, well-timed LOCI that adds new information, reinforces fit, and sounds engaged (not desperate).
They also avoid over-communicating: no generic updates, no flooding admissions with extras the school didn't request.
Acceptance Rates: The Numbers Behind the Deferral
Colleges are not required to publish deferral admit rates, and many don't. When they do, the numbers can feel sobering without proper context.
Below are the numbers as a way to think, not a promise of outcome.
How to Read These Tables
The college deferral statistics below show two critical data points: the share of early applicants who are deferred, and the share of those deferred students who are later admitted. Understanding both numbers helps you see the full picture of what deferral means at different selectivity levels.
| Selectivity Tier | Typical Deferral Range | Admitted from Deferral Pool |
|---|---|---|
| Ivy+ / Ultra-Selective | 40–78% | 2–8% |
| Top 20 Privates | 30–50% | 5–15% |
| Top 50 Selectives | 20–40% | 10–25% |
Tier 1: Ivy+ and Ultra-Selective Universities
Key Insight: According to college deferral statistics, deferral rates range from 40–78% of early applicants at these schools. Eventual acceptance from deferral typically falls between 2–8%. At this level, generic LOCIs accomplish nothing, and in some cases quietly hurt your student's chances.
| University | Early Apps (2024) | Early Deferral Rate | Admitted from Deferral Pool | Early Admit Rate | Overall Admit Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard | 9,553 (REA) | 78% | ~10% of deferred (2–3% overall) | 7.6% | 3.2% |
| Yale | 7,856 (SCEA) | 52% | ~6–8% of deferred | 10% | 3.7% |
| Princeton | 6,743 (SCEA) | 50–55% | ~5–8% of deferred | 13% | 3.9% |
| Stanford | 10,411 (REA) | 60–65% | ~3–5% of deferred* | 9.7% | 3.0% |
| MIT | 12,563 (EA) | 64% | ~5% of deferred | 5.7% | 4.0% |
| Columbia | ~6,000 (ED) | 40–45% | ~6–10% of deferred | 12% | 3.9% |
| Penn | 8,500 (ED) | 30–35% | ~8–12% of deferred | 15% | 5.1% |
| Brown | 6,770 (ED) | 45–50% | ~5–10% of deferred | 13% | 4.8% |
| Dartmouth | 3,592 (ED) | 40–45% | ~8–12% of deferred | 16% | 5.6% |
| Cornell | 9,000+ (ED) | 25–30% | ~15–20% of deferred | 19% | 7.3% |
| Caltech | 1,816 (EA) | 45–50% | ~5–8% of deferred | 10.4% | 2.7% |
| UChicago | ~15,000 (ED/EA) | 60–70% | ~7–12% of deferred | 13% | 4.7% |
*Stanford explicitly discourages additional materials after deferral
Abbreviations: REA = Restrictive Early Action (non-binding, but restricts where else you can apply early) | SCEA = Single-Choice Early Action (non-binding, cannot apply EA elsewhere) | EA = Early Action (non-binding) | ED = Early Decision (binding)
Sources: University admissions offices, Harvard Admissions, MIT Admissions Statistics
Tier 2: Top 20 Private Universities
Key Insight: College deferral statistics for Top 20 private universities show deferral rates typically ranging from 30–50%. Georgetown is an outlier at 85% due to its EA structure. Eventual acceptance from deferral ranges from 5–15% depending on the year. Strategy matters significantly at this level.
| University | Early Apps (2024) | Early Deferral Rate | Admitted from Deferral Pool | Early Admit Rate | Overall Admit Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 6,240 (ED) | 40–45% | ~8–12% of deferred | 16% | 4.8% |
| Northwestern | 6,425 (ED) | 35–40% | ~10–15% of deferred | 20% | 7.0% |
| Vanderbilt | 6,195 (ED) | 30–35% | ~12–18% of deferred | 19% | 5.8% |
| Rice | 3,164 (ED) | 35–40% | ~10–15% of deferred | 17% | 7.6% |
| Johns Hopkins | 3,600 (ED) | 35–40% | ~10–15% of deferred | 15% | 6.1% |
| Notre Dame | 11,377 (REA) | 45–50% | ~8–12% of deferred | 13% | 11% |
| Georgetown | 9,250+ (EA) | 85% | ~10–12% of deferred | 11% | 10% |
| Emory | 5,800 (ED) | 30–35% | ~12–18% of deferred | 22% | 11% |
| Carnegie Mellon | 4,900 (ED) | 35–40% | ~10–15% of deferred | 16% | 11% |
| USC | 12,000+ (Various) | 30–35% | ~10–15% of deferred | Varies | 9.9% |
| NYU | 10,000+ (ED) | 25–30% | ~15–20% of deferred | 23% | 8% |
| Tufts | 4,100 (ED) | 35–40% | ~12–18% of deferred | 22% | 9.7% |
What these college deferral statistics show: At this level, colleges are more transparent about using deferral as a genuine second look. Students who succeed post-deferral often update grades and rigor, add meaningful achievements or recognition, and show clear interest aligned with specific programs or values.
Tier 3: Top 50 Selective Public and Private Universities
Key Insight: At Top 50 schools, college deferral statistics reveal deferral rates of 20–40% of early applicants. Eventual acceptance from deferral ranges from 10–25%. These schools use deferral to balance enrollment and assess in-state vs. out-of-state priorities. Well-executed follow-up materials can meaningfully impact outcomes.
| University | Early Apps (2024) | Early Deferral Rate | Admitted from Deferral Pool | Early Admit Rate | Overall Admit Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UVA | 17,500+ (EA) | 40–45% | ~15–20% of deferred | 19% (in-state) | 18% overall |
| UNC Chapel Hill | 31,000+ (EA) | 45–50% | ~12–18% of deferred | 23% (in-state) | 16% overall |
| UMichigan | 11,000+ (EA) | 50–60% | ~10–15% of deferred | 41% (in-state), 19% (OOS) | 18% overall |
| Boston College | 5,200 (ED) | 35–40% | ~15–20% of deferred | 26% | 15% |
| William & Mary | 7,800 (ED/EA) | 35–40% | ~18–25% of deferred | 34% (ED), 30% (in-state EA) | 33% overall |
| Georgia Tech | 20,000+ (EA) | 30–35% | ~15–20% of deferred | 46% (in-state), 17% (OOS) | 16% overall |
| Tulane | 8,500 (ED/EA) | 25–30% | ~15–25% of deferred | 18% (ED), 12% (EA) | 11% |
| Wake Forest | 3,800 (ED) | 30–35% | ~18–25% of deferred | 37% | 21% |
| Villanova | 4,200 (ED/EA) | 25–30% | ~20–28% of deferred | 31% (ED) | 23% |
| UT Austin | 30,000+ (Various) | 20–25% | ~18–25% of deferred | Varies greatly | 29% overall |
Important Notes: OOS = Out-of-state applicants | The UC System (including Berkeley and UCLA) uses a single application deadline and does not offer early decision or early action programs, so college deferral statistics do not apply | At public universities, in-state vs. out-of-state status significantly impacts both early and overall admission rates
Sources: University admissions offices, UVA Admissions Blog, individual university common data sets
Why the Numbers Don't Tell the Whole Story
While it's tempting to fixate on percentages, college deferral statistics don't show the real differentiator: what admitted deferred students did next.
Admissions officers aren't only asking, "Is this student strong enough?" They're asking: "What has changed or become clearer since December?"
Common Deferral Mistakes That Hurt Chances
Deferrals create anxiety, and anxiety leads to mistakes.
The most common: sending a rushed or emotional LOCI that restates the original application without adding value. Your LOCI needs to add something new, not repeat what admissions already knows.
Another: assuming silence is safer than action. Failing to submit any meaningful update is one of the biggest mistakes families make.
Also: flooding admissions offices with extra materials the school did not request. More emails and more documents rarely help, and sometimes hurt.
Finally: treating all deferred schools the same. Each institution has different policies and priorities. Tailor your follow-up accordingly.
Example: What NOT to Do
I once worked with a family whose student was deferred from Northwestern. The father, meaning well, emailed the admissions office three times in two weeks with "updates" that included a photo of the student volunteering at a soup kitchen (not new information), a revised activities list that simply reordered existing activities, and a letter from a family friend who was an alumnus but had never met the student.
The student was rejected in March. The admissions officer later told the high school counselor that the emails felt "unfocused and excessive." Less is more when it comes to post-deferral communication.
Is Strategy Really Necessary?
Yes, because deferral is an evaluation phase. Admissions officers are still building a class. They are still comparing students. They are still looking for reasons to say yes.
A thoughtful strategy helps ensure that your student's strongest angles are reinforced, new information is presented clearly and appropriately, and the application evolves rather than stagnates.
Strategy does not guarantee admission. But students without a strategy almost never get in.
One Important Caveat
Even with perfect execution, most deferred students don't get admitted. That's not pessimism. It's math.
But strategy isn't about guarantees. It's about making sure that if your student doesn't get in, it won't be because you missed something obvious in December.
What to Do Next If Your Student Was Deferred
The weeks following a deferral matter more than most families realize. This is not the time for panic, but it is the time for structure.
At a minimum, families should understand each school's deferral policies and timelines, decide whether and when to submit a LOCI, identify what meaningful updates can be shared, and avoid actions that could undermine the application.
Get the Defense Guide
If you want a step-by-step plan that walks through exactly how to handle a deferral, including LOCI guidance and timelines, start here:
College Deferral Defense Guide
A step-by-step framework covering:
- Exactly when and how to send a LOCI (with 3 complete examples)
- Which updates matter and which don't
- Month-by-month timeline from December through April
- What not to do (mistakes that actively hurt)
Download the College Deferral Defense Guide to get started today.
Need Personalized Guidance?
Is a Strategy Meeting right for your family? It makes sense if your student was deferred from multiple highly selective schools, you're unsure which schools warrant follow-up, or your family needs help prioritizing limited time effectively.
In one session, we'll map out which schools to focus on, what updates to send, and when.
Book a 1-Hour Deferral Strategy Meeting, and we'll create a clear, confident plan together. No pressure, no sales pitch, just strategic support when you need it most.
Conclusion: Moving Forward with Clarity
A deferral is emotionally draining. It comes after months or years of hard work, right when families are already exhausted.
But college deferral statistics for 2025 tell us something important: many students who are deferred are still very much in the running.
The difference between those who are admitted and those who are not is rarely luck alone. It's clarity. It's timing. And it's having a plan.
What to do right now (before you close this tab):
- Download the Defense Guide if you need the full roadmap
- Book a Strategy Meeting if your student was deferred from multiple reaches or needs personalized guidance
Or simply breathe. You have time. But use it.
For more guidance on navigating deferrals, read Deferred from College? Here's What to Do Next.
