From Deferral to Acceptance: Tips for Next Steps

A deferral doesn’t mean “no” — it means “not yet.” If your Early Decision or Early Action result wasn’t what you hoped for, there’s still time to strengthen your application and improve your chances in the Regular Decision round. Now is the opportunity to reinforce your strengths, share new achievements, and demonstrate continued interest throughout the remainder of senior year.

Join IvyWise college admissions counselors Rachel, formerly at Swarthmore College, and Scott, formerly at Yale University, as they explain what a deferral really means, why colleges make these decisions, and, most importantly, the steps that you should take to improve your chances of turning a deferral into an acceptance. Rachel and Scott will provide actionable advice to help you stay positive, proactive, and competitive heading into the Regular Decision round.