Deferred? Waitlisted? Here’s What You Need to Know

This is the time of year when students everywhere are anxiously awaiting early action and early decision letters from their preferred schools.

Unfortunately, some of those hopeful applicants are bound to end up deferred or waitlisted. What does that mean if you’re among them? Here’s what you need to know.

1. Don’t Take Deferral or Waitlisting as a Poor Reflection of Your Merits

It can be difficult to keep things in perspective when you feel like your entire future is riding on one decision, but it’s important not to take deferral or waitlisting too personally.

The application process at both Ivy League and top-tier schools has become increasingly complex. Plus, the number of applications keeps increasing every year – while the capacity for admittance at a given school usually does not.

Consider, for example, the fact that the acceptance rate to the University of Pennsylvania was 41% in 1990, while only about 10% of applicants were admitted in 2017. Being waitlisted or deferred indicates that the school does have interest in you – even if they can’t currently offer you a spot.

2. Understand the Difference Between Being Deferred and Waitlisted

If you receive a deferral letter, you may (rightfully) feel like you’re in a holding pattern because it’s somewhere between an acceptance and an outright rejection.

Deferrals are used only with the early admission process, and a letter of deferral usually means one of two things. The school may want to see some additional information – like your final GPA at school or additional test scores – before it commits. Alternatively, the school may have allocated only so many spots for early admission, and you were edged out by the competition. They’ll probably reconsider your application when the regular admission applications start rolling in.

Being waitlisted is very different. Waitlisting is used with regular and rolling admissions, and it basically means that you’re in line for admission – but only if a spot opens up. New information isn’t likely to change your status with the school. You simply have to wait to see how many accepted students decide to go elsewhere.

3. Recognize What You Should (and Should Not) Do in Response

Whether you’ve been deferred or waitlisted, look carefully at the information provided by the school. Some schools are specific about the fact that they don’t want you to update your application with any new information or send any letters – while others will make a broad invite or remain silent on the matter.

If the school doesn’t specify their policy or encourages you to send in new information, you definitely want to update them with any important information that could nudge an admissions officer into your corner. That includes the results of special research projects, another letter of recommendation from a school alumnus or updated SAT and ACT scores. This is particularly important if your application is deferred.

You also want to send a letter of continued interest (sometimes called a “letter of enthusiasm”). This reiterates your abiding interest in being part of the school’s incoming freshman class. Letting the school know that they’re still your top choice can help draw attention to your application.

4. Decide What Backup Plan You Should Have

This is a good time to work with an admissions counselor. If your application has been deferred, they can help you determine what kind of new information will support your cause. If you’ve been waitlisted, they can help you research the school’s history when it comes to moving applicants off the waitlist and into an open slot.

No matter which situation you are in, you need to shift some of your focus to your “Plan B.” That doesn’t mean giving up on your dream school, but it does mean acknowledging the reality that you might not get a slot.

Landing on a waitlist or being stuck in deferred status can be frustrating, to be sure, but this isn’t the end of the road.