Many students will know the feeling of opening an admissions decision and seeing one of two words: deferred or waitlisted. After the already stressful application process, this news might put you in a state of further uncertainty. This can be stressful for not only students but also for parents and counselors alike. Understanding the distinction in the deferred vs. waitlisted decision is essential to navigating this stage with confidence.
Continue reading our guide to learn more about the differences between being deferred and being waitlisted, how to strategize your new steps, and how HelloCollege can be a valuable resource in your college application journey.
What Does it Mean to be Deferred?
You applied Early Decision to your dream school, and you received a letter stating that you were deferred. This means that the school is not ready to make a decision on your application within the pool of Early Decision or Early Action applicants (read more about the difference between Early Decision and Early Action here).
If you have been deferred, you are being given an additional opportunity to be considered alongside the regular applicant pool. This is an opportunity to send an email to the admissions committee expressing your continued interest and to get specific about the way that you see yourself being a part of their university community.
Thank them for the deferral opportunity, and ask them if it is possible to keep them updated with further news throughout the year, such as your mid-year grades or any accomplishments or other activities that you are pursuing. Think of this as an opportunity to develop a relationship and demonstrate resilience in the face of a challenge.
For a full breakdown college deferrals (including next steps to increase your admissions chances), visit our blog, What Does it Mean to be Deferred from a College?
What Does it Mean to Be Waitlisted?
Being waitlisted happens when a college decides to hold off on making a final decision on your admission. It means that you could be admitted later on in the admissions cycle, after the school receives commitments from its prospective students.
Keep in mind that while being waitlisted is not a “no,” it does not guarantee admission. If you’re interested in the school, it’s advisable to accept a spot on the waitlist while also confirming enrollment elsewhere. It is also in your best interest to send a follow up email to the admissions committee.
Deferred vs. Waitlisted: Key Differences
Having a thorough understanding of each of these terms will better equip you with the knowledge that you need to make informed decisions about your admission journey.
The distinctions are simple. A deferral is when a college moves a student from their Early Admissions or Early Decisions pool into their Regular Decision Pool. Being waitlisted, on the other hand, means that a student’s application has been put on hold, and they might receive an offer if enough spots open up later on in the admissions process. However, there are many other considerations to take into account when a student receives this news.
Application Process Implications
When a student is deferred, they are essentially given another chance to be reviewed alongside the regular decision applicants. This means they can submit updates, such as improved grades, awards, or an additional letter of recommendation, to strengthen their application.
Waitlisted students, however, typically cannot provide updates, as their application has already been fully reviewed, and decisions depend on the availability of spots after final enrollments.
Impact on Admissions Decisions
Deferred students have the opportunity to be reconsidered during the regular decision process, but acceptance rates for deferrals tend to be lower than for those accepted outright.
For waitlisted students, admissions offers are entirely based on how many admitted students decide to enroll, which makes it a less predictable outcome.
Both scenarios indicate the school saw potential in the application but could not yet offer a firm acceptance.
Timeline Expectations
Deferred students usually receive a final decision in the spring, around the same time as regular decision applicants.
For waitlisted students, the timeline can be much more uncertain, with final notifications often coming as late as May or even the summer months. It’s crucial for waitlisted students to commit to another school by the decision deadline, even if they hope to eventually be admitted from the waitlist.
What are the implications for admission?
Are deferral or waitlist decisions a reason to panic, or give up hope? Absolutely not! While both of these notices may pose a roadblock in your admissions journey, they are not closed doors and should not be treated as such. Think of deferrals and waitlist decisions as opportunities to demonstrate continued interest to the admissions committee, or to reprioritize your college list.
Deferred vs. Waitlisted: Next Steps
What are the next best steps to take for applicants who have been deferred or waitlisted? At this stage, many students make the mistake of eliminating contact with the colleges in question, out of fear or shame of the deferral or waitlist decision. If the school still interests you, it’s better to take the opposite approach and remain in high contact with an admissions representative. You can find the contact information of your admissions representative both through your decision letter and the school website.
Deferral
For students who were deferred, it’s important to take action to strengthen your application. Submit updates such as improved grades, new achievements, or additional recommendation letters, and write a letter of continued interest to reaffirm your enthusiasm for the school. This demonstrates your commitment and helps admissions see your ongoing potential.
Waitlist
If you’ve been waitlisted, stay proactive but realistic. Accept your spot on the waitlist if it’s your top-choice school, and send a letter of continued interest to emphasize your commitment. At the same time, ensure you deposit at another school to secure your spot while waiting for a final decision.
Emotional Considerations
Students who are given deferral or waitlist decisions may face additional stress during the already unpredictable college admissions process. Throughout this process it is important to manage expectations and consider alternative plans.
Deferrals and waitlist decisions are also opportunities to deepen relationships with the other colleges that you’ve applied to. Take this as an opportunity to do more research about the other schools on your list so that you can both widen and deepen your web of interest. Perhaps there is a research opportunity or study abroad opportunity at a different school that excites you.
The classic phrase, “Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket,” definitely applies to the college admissions process. Seeking support from family, friends, and counselors can also help during this time of uncertainty and transition. And for additional support in your college admissions journey, consider college admissions consulting.
FAQs
Is being waitlisted or deferred better?
It depends on the context. While neither guarantees admission nor counts you out, a deferral often provides more opportunity to strengthen your application.
Do deferred students usually get accepted?
It depends on the school and the strength of the regular decision pool. While acceptance rates for deferred applicants are generally lower, submitting updates and expressing continued interest can improve your chances.
Can I appeal a deferral or waitlist decision?
Generally, no. Most colleges and universities do not accept appeals from students who have been deferred or waitlisted. It’s important to follow the specific policies of each institution.
What percentage of students deferred in Early Decision are admitted?
It depends on the school. For example, Dartmouth admits 5-10% of deferred ED students while Stanford notoriously admits a very small number of deferred applicants.
Conclusion
A clear understanding of each of these terms and their implications for your college application journey is critical. Knowing the difference between the two can help reduce anxiety and better equip students with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their academic future. Take the time to weigh your options and choose the path that feels right for you. Good luck, and you’ve got this!
