Deferred vs Waitlisted, and What to Do Next
When college decisions come out, most students expect to see that they’ve been admitted or denied, so receiving a deferral or waitlist notification can be frustrating.
The good news is that these decisions mean you’re still in the running to be selected for admission to a particular school. But students often express confusion about deferrals and waitlist offers, and there are differences between the two.
Is Deferred the Same as Waitlisted?
No, being deferred is not the same thing as being waitlisted. Deferrals only happen during the early round of college applications, while waitlisting typically occurs during the regular decision (RD) round. It’s also possible to be waitlisted from a school with rolling admission.
Some schools use different terminology for deferrals. For instance, the University of Michigan refers to deferrals as “postponed” applications.
What Does It Mean to Be Deferred From a College?
Being deferred means the admissions committee isn’t ready to make a final decision on your application during the early action or early decision round. They then move your application to the regular decision pool for further review. This may happen because:
The applicant pool was particularly strong
The school wants to compare you with regular decision applicants
The admissions committee needs more time or additional information
A deferral is not a rejection and shouldn’t be considered one. It just means you have a second chance at being considered for a spot in the college or university’s class.
Keep in mind: If you submitted an early decision (ED1 or ED2) application, your admission was considered “binding.” This means that if the school admitted you during the ED round, you’d be required to go there, with very few exceptions. It’s important to note that, if you get deferred from an early decision round and your application is moved to the RD cycle, your application is no longer binding.
What Should Your Next Steps Be After a College Deferral?
If you’ve been deferred, you have a new opportunity to strengthen your application. Some schools will ask you for a specific application supplement that you should submit during the deferral period. For instance, a college may ask you to complete an additional essay to be considered during the RD round. But most schools will simply move your existing application to the RD cycle.
In these cases, follow instructions from the college very carefully. Some colleges specifically advise applicants to avoid sending additional materials or letters. Other schools are open to receiving a letter of continued interest (LOCI). This can typically be submitted through your application portal, or via email to your admissions representative. The LOCI can include:
A statement reaffirming your enthusiasm for the school, along with an explanation of why it remains a top choice
Updates on any new accomplishments, improved grades, awards, or leadership roles you’ve taken on since you submitted your early application
A short conclusion about why this school is the perfect fit for your academic interests and future goals.
Please add a quote about the importance of the LOCI for deferred students if possible.
What Does It Mean to Be Waitlisted?
Being waitlisted means the college thinks you’re qualified, but doesn’t currently have space to admit you. Instead, they place you on a list in case admitted students decline their offers. If a spot becomes available, an offer of admission may be extended to you.
Waitlist decisions often depend on:
How many accepted students enroll (yield)
Institutional needs (majors, demographics, etc.)
Some years, many students are admitted from the waitlist. Other years, very few are.
For instance, at the University of Michigan, only 77 students were admitted from the waitlist in the fall of 2022, but 1,663 were accepted from the waitlist in the fall of 2025. Similarly, the University of Virginia accepted just 7 students from the waitlist in 2022, but admitted 242 students from the waitlist in 2025.
What Should Your Next Steps Be After Getting Waitlisted?
If you’ve been waitlisted, here’s how to respond strategically:
Accept your spot on the waitlist: Follow the school’s instructions to officially remain under consideration.
Send a letter of continued interest (if appropriate): Reiterate your interest and provide meaningful updates, but keep them concise and genuine.
Secure another option: Commit to a college where you’ve been accepted by the deadline and make plans to attend that school.
Avoid overcommunicating: Sending too many emails or materials to the admissions office can hurt more than help.
After getting waitlisted, it’s important to be hopeful, but realistic. Waitlist offers can come late, sometimes even in the summer, so be prepared for uncertainty.
Please add a quote about how your best bet is to make plans to attend the school where you’ve committed and to build excitement around that option.
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