Deferred or Waitlisted? What to Do?

Deferred or Waitlisted? What to Do?

In an ideal situation after applying Early Action or Early Decision students would earn an acceptance letter from their dream college, and if not, at least not get outright rejected. They’re often wondering what to do. That’s where deferrals and waitlists come into play because they aren’t definitive–neither an acceptance or a rejection. But does getting deferred or waitlisted mean students have no chance of admittance? Not necessarily, actually in the last few years waitlist actions have been active. 

Deferred vs. Waitlist

Deferred: Students who apply Early Action or Early Decision are granted the opportunity to be considered for Regular Decision. If deferred, students hear the final decision at the same time as Regular Decision applicants (typically in March or April).

Waitlist: Students who apply for Regular Decision may be waitlisted if they are not accepted or denied admission. Waitlisted students typically hear the final decision in the weeks following. 

Why Defer or Waitlist

Universities will defer students because they are unsure of the competition during the subsequent regular rounds (high volume of applications and uncertain enrollment numbers play a factor in considering to defer students). Similarly, they will waitlist students because they want to ensure their incoming first-year class meets their institutional needs. 

What Colleges Check for During Deferral and Waitlist Periods

Universities will check for evidence of students meeting their values. For Stanford University this includes checking for “distinguished academic achievement and significant potential to achieve at a high level during the undergraduate years.” On the other hand, Brown University reviews each applicant “holistically and in context.” Essentially, each university reviews applicants with the information they are given, whether it be what students originally submitted when they applied or when what they write about during their update or letter of continued interest. 

What to Do If Deferred or Waitlisted

While waiting to hear back from admissions, be sure to keep up your academics and extracurriculars. Plan your post high school-graduation with an emphasis on academics that are worth mentioning to the universities. Choose activities and programs that show your interest in the specific college and demonstrate your interest. They want to know you are interested in attending their institution. 

Key Takeaways

• Deferred means that students are granted the opportunity to be considered for Regular Decision
• Waitlist means that colleges are still considering their applications. 
• If waitlisted or deferred, continue to keep up academics and extracurricular activities to show leadership and academic excellence.