Deferred? Now What?
A deferral can stir up disappointment, confusion, and a lot of questions about what comes next. For many students, the early round feels personal — you worked hard, you hit submit, and you hoped for a yes. A deferral isn’t the answer you wanted, but it also isn’t the end of the road.
The video below, hosted by College Admissions: Grown & Flown, walks you through the practical steps you can take, what colleges are actually looking for at this stage, and how to keep perspective as you move into the regular decision round. With a steady plan and a clear understanding of the process, you can stay in the game while also staying excited about the many great options ahead of you.
First, please know: feeling sad, angry, or discouraged is human. Give yourself time to feel it and talk it through with someone you trust. Then you can move into strategy.
Here’s how to respond to a deferral in a thoughtful, effective way:
Follow the college’s instructions exactly
Check your portal, email, and the admissions site. Some colleges do not want extra materials. Others invite them. Doing more than they ask can hurt, not help.
Confirm you still want to be considered
Most schools ask you to “opt in” on the portal or via email. Don’t skip this step.
Send your first-semester grades
Every college wants to know how you’re doing academically. Confirm with your counselor where to send mid-year grades.
Share any true updates (if allowed)
Stronger test scores, new honors, awards, or significant activities can be worth sharing. A short, clear letter of continued interest can also help if the college says they accept one.
Loop in your school counselor
Show them what you plan to send. Ask if they’re willing to reach out on your behalf. They may say no for good reasons, but it’s okay to ask.
Keep showing genuine interest
Open the college’s emails, attend virtual events, visit campus if you can, and send a brief follow-up note with specific reasons the school still feels like a fit.
What not to do
- Don’t call admissions to ask “Why was I deferred?”
- Don’t email your rep every few days.
- Don’t complain, guilt-trip, or try flashy stunts or “outside the box” tricks.
- And never, ever sabotage another applicant.
The hardest part to hear: statistically, many deferrals don’t turn into admits, even for strong students. It does happen, but you’ll feel better if you’re also getting excited about your other colleges—researching them, talking to current students, and picturing yourself there.
Your job now is to finish senior year strong, keep your options open, and look for a school that will value you and your growth. Students almost always land where they can grow, thrive, and have fun.
