When students find out if they got into college, they might not get a definite yes or no. Instead, they could be put on hold or told they’re on a waiting list. These decisions aren’t final—they’re not a clear yes or no. It’s obviously better to get a yes right away, but if you’re put on hold or waitlisted, there’s still a chance you could get in.
In many cases, giving up at this point is like quitting an Ironman race just before the finish line—you’ve already gone through the swim and bike parts, so it’s worth sticking it out till the end.
What A Deferred Decision Means in College Admissions
When a student applies to college early, either through Early Action or Early Decision, they might get accepted, put on hold, or turned down.
If a student gets accepted through Early Decision, they have to go to that college and their application process is finished. If they get accepted through Early Action, they don’t have to commit right away. They have until May 1st to decide which college they want to go to.
If they get turned down, they won’t be considered for that college’s early applications that year, except for some University of California campuses which allow appeals.
If a student gets put on hold for a college they applied to early, their application gets moved to the regular decision pool. They’ll find out if they’re accepted later, usually by the end of March or early April.
Why Do Colleges Defer Students?
Colleges put students on hold because they’re not sure how many students they need for the next school year. Basically, colleges feel uncertain during the early application process. They’re not sure if they’ll get enough applications later on or if those applications will be strong enough. So, they keep some early applicants in case they need to fill spots later.
What Percentage of Deferred Students Get Accepted?
At top universities, about 10% of students who were initially turned down end up getting accepted later on. This rate can change from year to year and from one university to another, but it’s generally consistent.
What to Do After Being Deferred
Write a compelling Letter of Continued Interest. To increase your chances of getting off the waitlist, write a Letter of Continued Interest. This letter shouldn’t just list what you’ve achieved since applying.
Instead, it should express your love for the school and explain how you’ll contribute to its programs, culture, and traditions. It’s best to send this letter shortly after being waitlisted, so the admissions team sees you’re still interested and not just complaining.
Take the Letter of Continued Interest to the school counsellor and ask them to make a call to support you. With the letter, the counsellor will know how to talk about you to the admissions staff. Some counsellors may not want to make these calls, saying it’s not fair to help some students and not others, but that’s silly. Counsellors should help all their students—it’s what they’re supposed to do.
Think about sending another letter from a teacher who teaches an important subject like English, history, maths, science, or a foreign language. We didn’t suggest sending a letter from a famous person!
What Does Being Waitlisted Mean?
When a student applies to college through Regular Decision, they might get accepted, put on a waiting list, or turned down.
If they get accepted through Regular Decision, they don’t have to go to that college. They can choose where to go until May 1st.
If they get turned down, they can’t get into that college that year (except for University of California schools, where they can ask again).
If they’re put on a waiting list, the college is still thinking about their application. They’ll find out what happens in a few weeks.
Why Do Colleges Waitlist Students?
Colleges are waiting for applicants and delaying decisions for similar reasons. They haven’t figured out how many new students they need for the next school year because they’re not sure how many of the students they’ve accepted through Regular Decision will actually come. Some students who said they’ll come might change their minds, especially if they get off another college’s waitlist (called ‘Summer Melt’). So, the college wants to fill those spots fast.
What to Do After Being Waitlisted
Write a convincing letter to show your continued interest. It’s like the letter you’d write if your application got postponed. Send it a few days after you find out you’re on the waitlist. Sometimes, students have been taken off waitlists the same day they sent their letters.
Take the Letter of Continued Interest to the school counsellor and request them to make a supportive call. When the counsellor has the letter, they’ll know how to talk about the student to admissions staff. Some counsellors might not want to make these calls, saying it’s not fair to advocate for some students over others, but this doesn’t make sense. Counsellors should support all their students—it’s what they’re supposed to do.
What Percentage of Waitlisted Students Get Accepted?
On average, about 10% of students who are waitlisted at highly selective universities eventually get accepted, even after being initially rejected. This percentage can change from year to year and from one school to another, but it gives a rough idea of what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions about Deferred vs. Waitlisted
Can a student be deferred and later waitlisted?
Yes, students can be delayed during the Early Action/Early Decision round and then put on a waitlist by the same school after the Regular Decision round. This happens more often than many think. However, we think it’s unfair. By early November, the college’s admissions office already had the student’s application. By then, they should have been able to decide.
Is one’s chances better after being deferred or waitlisted?
Whether someone is postponed or waitlisted, their chances are similar. Around 10% of postponed candidates and 10% of waitlisted applicants are eventually accepted.
If a student gets waitlisted at several schools, do they have a chance at any of them?
Indeed! Students who are waitlisted at multiple schools have a good chance of being accepted into at least one. However, they need to take action at each school where they’re in limbo. They should send a Letter of Continued Interest to each school, expressing their desire to attend if accepted. It’s crucial for students to show their commitment rather than just stating it, as admissions officers might question their sincerity. Colleges may engage in strategic manoeuvres with students, so those on the waitlist need to respond accordingly.
