Last Updated on October 1, 2026
Quick answer: Being deferred from Early Decision means the college will review your application again with the Regular Decision pool, so you are still a qualified candidate. Next, follow each college’s deferral instructions, send midyear grades and meaningful updates, write a letter of continued interest if the school accepts one, and finish your Regular Decision applications on time.
Deferred From Early Decision: Advice on Your Next Steps
If you’ve recently learned that you’ve been deferred from early decision or restrictive early action at your top-choice school, you might not be thrilled. After all, you worked very hard to put together a polished application. Worry not however, because deferral still means that you are a qualified candidate for the college. [1] In order to continue showing the admissions office that the college is your top choice we have elaborated on the meaning of college deferral as well as how to craft the perfect letter of continued interest.
What Does It Mean to Be Deferred From Early Decision?
If you’ve been deferred from early decision at your top choice college, it means that the school will reconsider your application profile in the regular decision round. So, don’t lose hope! You’ve still got a shot. Make sure to craft a solid letter of continued interest emphasizing that the university is still your number one, as well as reiterating any recent accomplishments and grades that have been released since you submitted your Common Application profile in November. [2] In the meantime, you could also consider an early decision II school if there is another college that you have had your eye on that you can see yourself committing too.
Meanwhile, once the early decision acceptance rates come out, revisit your regular decision school list to decide whether there’s any college that might be tough given your current profile. Most importantly, don’t take acceptance at the school where you’ve been deferred from early decision for granted, while a small portion of deferred students do get admitted every year, admission in the RD round is never guaranteed. So, keep applying to regular decision schools and make sure you’ve kept a good balance of reach, target, and safety options.
How to Respond to an Early Decision Deferral
Your first move after a deferral is to read your decision letter and the college’s website closely. Colleges handle deferred applicants differently, and following their instructions shows the maturity and genuine interest admissions officers want to see.
Follow Each College’s Instructions
Some schools ask deferred applicants to complete a specific form rather than send a letter. The University of Virginia, for example, asks deferred students to complete a defer form in the applicant portal and notes that this form takes the place of a letter of continued interest. [1] The University of Michigan invites postponed applicants to submit an optional Expression of Continued Interest form along with grade updates, and prefers to receive only those materials unless it requests more. [2] If a college gives no specific instructions, a concise letter of continued interest is usually the right choice. Whatever the format, keep your update brief, specific, and positive.
Send Your Midyear Grades
Your senior year grades are among the most useful updates you can offer. Ask your school counselor to send your midyear report as soon as grades are available, and confirm each college’s deadline. UVA, for instance, asks deferred students to submit midyear grades by February 15. [1] Keep your grades high through the spring as well, since your final transcript still matters.
Keep Your Regular Decision Plan on Track
While you wait, finish your Regular Decision applications on time and make sure your list includes a balanced mix of reach, target, and likely schools. If another college has become your clear first choice, read our guide to Early Decision II to see whether a second binding application makes sense for you. When you are ready to write, our guide on how to write a letter of continued interest walks through the process step by step.
Finally, give yourself some grace. A deferral can feel discouraging, but it also means the admissions committee saw enough in your application to keep it in consideration. Stay engaged in your classes and activities, since new achievements this spring give you fresh updates to share, and lean on your school counselor as decisions approach.
Next Steps: The Letter of Continued Interest
It’s very important to continue demonstrating interest in the college if you’ve been deferred from early decision. Many colleges welcome updated grades and new achievements, and at schools that accept one, the letter of continued interest is often the best way to share them. Remind the admissions officers why their institution is a top choice for you. Admissions officers take statements like “I will attend if accepted” very seriously when deciding who to admit from the RD pool. In your letter, talk about what you could bring and how you would be a good fit. But don’t bombard the admissions office with phone calls! Let’s take a closer look at this letter.
Letter of Continued Interest Template
Dear [School Name] Admissions Officer,
My name is [Student], and I was recently deferred as an Early Decision applicant. I am sending this letter to express my enthusiasm for [School Name] and update you on my recent activities.
Express love for the school for example: From the [name landmark] statue to the [name landmark/campus highlight], I loved X University the moment I laid eyes on the campus. During my recent visit to campus, I imagined taking X Course and conducting research on [your area of interest] under Professor Y, as well as learning from friends from diverse backgrounds through student organizations such as XYZ club.
Updates:
Senior Year Grades and Curriculum: [have your grades been steadily improving? Was there a particular subject you were struggling with that you’re doing better in now?] For example:
I have continued to maintain straight “A’s” in all subjects. My current GPA is 4.425.
As part of the mentorship program at X Company, I have completed the senior research in one semester, normally taken in two semesters. For my mentorship, I stayed in school for 2 days a week and for the other 3 days attended X Institute for research.
Due to this schedule, it was impossible for me to take higher-level classes such as AP Physics (a yearly course). I have now taken all Biology courses that my school has to offer.
Add any new standardized test scores to report
Research/independent projects, for example:
- I have made progress in my cancer research at X University. I am now working with my mentor to write a paper on the results.
- We have found a promising lead to cure the X neurodegenerative disease. More specifically, I have been exploring… (add specific examples of your work)
- Any evolution of your interest in a particular subject (something new you’ve read or tried, something new you’ve interacted with)
Volunteering, clubs, leadership, and other activities with tangible and measurable results you can share: EMT Volunteer Work [note that you can include other materials to demonstrate your achievements, and also mention how you’d like to contribute to activities and community at the college], for example:
- I am currently volunteering at the local Fire Department for 30 hours a month. I recently turned 18 and received my national EMT certification, which I included with this letter for your reference.
- I am currently learning how to drive an ambulance and expect to be certified to drive within the next month.
[Add any certifications and awards you have received in this particular activity]
How you’ll contribute to the school: I look forward to adding value to the [Name of School] community through research, volunteering with MERT, promoting STEM by extending my Funbotics non-profit robotics camp, making friends, and cheering on the people around me.
Mention any contacts with alums, coaches, Admissions Officers etc. at the school
Conclusion and expression of commitment (make sure they know this is still your first choice): Your university remains my top-choice school, and if admitted to X University’s class of [Year], I would absolutely commit to attending! Thank you for your continued consideration of my application.
Sign-off: GO [Insert School Mascot]! Sincerely,
[Name]
Common App ID [Number]
[Name of High School], Class of [Year]
Notice what makes this letter effective:
- There is not too much elaboration. Keep it concise and neatly organized, with bullet points and a clear purpose in each section.
- There is no discussion of admissions.
- The tone is positive, not negative. It’s about highlighting achievements and expressing enthusiasm, not disappointment or inquiry about the school’s decision to defer or waitlist you.
Being deferred from early decision can be disheartening but it’s not the end of the world. Look on the bright side: the admissions office made a decision that you were clearly competitive enough to make the cut. They almost certainly do not have any doubts about your ability to succeed academically as a student. Keep your head up, apply to RD schools, including safeties, and send any updates each college requests by its stated deadline. Good luck!
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