What Are the Differences between “Deferred” and “Waitlisted” in College Applications?
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After a rigorous high school journey, extracurricular activities, and working hard for positive recommendation letters, it’s time to apply for college. You’ve finally submitted all the requirements to your dream college.
But what if, after all your hard work and early application submission, you get cast into limbo through the waitlist or deferred? Do you still have a chance to study at your dream university?
Deferred vs. Waitlisted Defined
Deferred and Waitlisted are two terms colleges and universities use to manage the admissions process when they require additional time to make final decisions on certain applicants.
These terms can often be confusing. But whatever specific definitions they may have, they both mean that students simply have to wait a little longer. Take note that these terms do not automatically mean “rejected.”
What Does “Deferred” Mean?
The college may respond to your application by stating that you are deferred if you submit an early decision (the binding early application) or early action (the non-binding early application). This indicates that the admissions office will not decide on your application until later, usually in May.
Your application is added to the pool of applicants for regular decisions and is evaluated with all the other applications for regular decisions. You must now wait once more to learn if you were waitlisted, accepted, or rejected.
Being deferred simply indicates that your admissions decision will be reevaluated in addition to the applications for regular decisions. There are, however, several reasons why, despite your early admission, you were placed on the deferred list.
For one, colleges use “yield” to determine acceptance rates. This method aims only to accept applicants with a genuine interest in maintaining a high yield rate, positively impacting their reputation. Admissions committees prioritize diversity and well-roundedness in classes and may defer applications if there are already sufficient applicants with similar profiles.
Moreover, colleges may defer applicants due to uncertainties in application details, requesting additional information like senior year grades, standardized test scores, or academic achievements for a more informed decision.
College admissions offices often send more deferral letters than acceptance and rejection letters. Harvard deferred 80% of applicants for the Class of 2025, MIT Early Action accepted 719 out of 15,081 applicants, and Georgetown only accepted 10.79% of early applications.
Although deferral data are subject to annual changes, social and economic factors may have an impact. The University of Chicago received record levels of applications when it implemented a test-optional policy in 2018, and as a result, deferral numbers jumped to 34,900, resulting in an overall acceptance percentage of 5.9%.
During the pandemic, several universities had greater deferral rates as a result of an increase in applications from test-optional policies.
What Does “Waitlisted” Mean?
A National Association for College Admission Counseling or NACAC 2019 poll found that more than 82% of prestigious universities have waitlists.
Being waitlisted indicates a student’s competitiveness, but universities work hard to create well-rounded classes, which may entail giving individuals preferences based on their majors or other distinguishing characteristics. The waitlisted applicants are placed on hold by the college and will only be admitted in the event that further spaces become available.
So, what are your chances of getting into the university after being waitlisted?
The answer varies greatly. However, data suggests that the rate of getting accepted into colleges and universities after being waitlisted is 7% for prestigious colleges with the lowest acceptance rates and 20% for moderately selective colleges.
The US News and World Report has revealed ten universities with the lowest admission rate, admitting less than 3% of applicants from the waitlist.
- Chapman University – 1.5%
- University of Michigan – 1.8%
- Northwestern University – 2.6%
- Rensselaer Polytechnic University– 2.8%
- Case Western University – 3.7%
- Carnegie Mellon University – 3.9%
- Villanova University – 4.0%
- Southern Methodist University – 4.2%
- University of North Carolina – 4.2%
- Cornell University – 4.4%
Your chances of getting into your dream university after being waitlisted are low but not zero. Don’t lose hope just yet!
What You Can Do
Whether you were waitlisted or deferred, you need to face the truth. You’re in a difficult spot. Honestly, there’s no assurance that you’ll be getting in.
It’s okay to feel sad and cry for a while. But you don’t have to mope around for a very long time. You can either wait patiently or do something to increase your chances of being waitlisted and deferred to finally being accepted.
Read the email.
Colleges and universities send letters of deferral and waitlist to their applicants along with instructions on how a student can increase their chances of getting in.
However, some deferral letters advise against sending additional materials or information, so be cautious and avoid sending anything new, as it could potentially hinder admission chances. It’s important to understand what the admissions committee has to say and follow their instructions.
If you’re no longer interested, you can send them a notice that you’re not accepting the deferred offer. For instance, if you’ve been accepted into another college and are considering going there instead, you need to reply to the email that you’re not accepting the admission status. This courteous gesture helps the college manage its admissions more efficiently.
When declining an admission offer, express gratitude and respect, expressing the decision’s difficulty. Be honest about your reasons for choosing another college. Follow the college’s instructions, including formal letters or online forms, to ensure your response is received and processed correctly.
On the other hand, if you’re waitlisted—which usually means you have greater chances of getting in—colleges and universities will either give you instructions on how to boost your application or simply ask you to wait.
Update the admissions committee on your recent achievements.
If the admissions committee allows you to keep them updated on your achievements to boost your admission status from deferred to accepted, you should be selective and thoughtful about what you include.
Include updates on academic achievements, new extracurricular activities, and demonstrated interest in the college in your letter. Highlight how these accomplishments have contributed to personal growth and your commitment to positively impacting the school’s community.
Include examples of attending virtual information sessions, campus tours, or connecting with current students or alumni.
Enhancing Your Skills While You’re Deferred or Waitlisted
A lot of applicants don’t know where to start to increase their competitiveness when they’re deferred or waitlisted. Here’s a few pointers:
#1 Maintain your As!
Even accepted students can be rescinded if they fail a class in their final year. Your academic performance should remain at its peak, regardless of your admission status at your dream college. Keep your A-game until you graduate college.
Most colleges and universities will require a grade report upon completing your senior high school year as part of your continued interest package. This final grade report serves as a tangible representation of your academic achievements throughout your senior year and provides the admissions committee with valuable insights into your scholastic capabilities.
#2 Take standardized tests.
A lot of colleges and universities have waived standardized test scores, like the SATs and ACTs, after the pandemic. While your dream school may have extended its test-optional policies, obtaining a high SAT and ACT score will increase your chances of proving your interest and academic abilities.
A perfect SAT score is 2400, while an ACT score is 36. When the exam’s math, reading, and writing portions are combined, the national average score for the SAT is 1540. The typical ACT score is in the range of 20 to 21. Falling on or exceeding the national averages will surely get the admissions committee’s attention.
#3 Ask for a recommendation letter.
Colleges consider many factors when making admissions choices, and recommendations are no exception. A strong letter of recommendation from an alum, teacher, boss, or coach can reveal an applicant’s true character and provide valuable insight into their suitability for a school.
Highlighting specific details and accomplishments from the recommender can help ensure the letter is strong and increase the chances of admission to the college waitlist or following a deferred application.
#4 Visit your college/s of choice.
If you can, do a physical tour of the campus. Visit the admissions office to meet your regional representative and share your reasons for being a good fit for the school and the aspects of the university that particularly appeal to you. Make sure you stress that, should you get accepted off the waitlist, you will enroll.
Most colleges have a ranked waitlist. Ask if their waitlist is ranked, and if it is, find out where you are on the list.
#5 Connect with your admissions officer.
Stay in contact with your admissions officer until the college posts their final decision unless they specifically advise against it in the deferral or waitlist notification letter.
Express gratitude to them for their consideration of your application. You can ask about application progress, clarify any questions, and ask for suggestions. Show interest by sending a follow-up email with any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be deferred or waitlisted?
Deferred applications are postponed and are awaiting reconsideration during the regular decision round while waiting for applications to be listed in reserve, potentially admitting later if space becomes available.
Is it better to be waitlisted or deferred?
Not one is superior to the other. Being on the waitlist and deferred is like the regular saying, “We’re not sure right now, but we might say yes later.” In both cases, you don’t get a clear yes or no, which can feel unclear and uncertain.
How common is it to be deferred or waitlisted?
Colleges’ deferrals and waitlist frequency vary, with highly selective institutions potentially deferring or waitlisting many applicants due to their competitive admissions process.
Can I ask the admission committee about my position on the waitlist?
Yes, you can contact the admissions office to inquire about your position on the waitlist, especially if the college ranks its waitlist. Politely express your continued interest and ask if they can provide any information about your standing relative to other waitlisted applicants.
How long does it take to get off the college waitlist?
Waitlisted applicants can expect responses from their college after the May 1 deadline for high school seniors, with some wait times potentially extending into summer.
How does the admissions committee decide who gets off the waitlist?
Colleges may rank waitlisted students or prioritize them based on factors like major representation, but their decision-making process varies among colleges.
Can I avoid getting deferred?
Early action or decision in applying doesn’t prevent deferral. To gain a competitive edge, craft a perfect application and consider seeking help from an admissions consultant.
Key Takeaways
- Deferred and waitlisted statuses in college admissions involve additional waiting time. More than 82% of prestigious universities have waitlists.
- Deferral refers to postponing early decision or action applications due to high yield rate, diversity prioritization, and uncertainties in application details, with admissions offices often sending more deferral letters than acceptance or rejection letters.
- Waitlisting measures a student’s competitiveness, with acceptance rates ranging from 7% for prestigious colleges to 20% for moderately selective ones.
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