High school seniors and parents, this is undoubtedly a stressful time. The holiday season has arrived, midterms are around the corner, and admissions decisions for ED I will soon be released. Please try to keep it all in perspective. If you happen to receive a defer or deny decision in December, take a deep breath and remember that this is not the end of the journey - it is just a detour. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1) A deferral is not a rejection but an opportunity for reconsideration. If you applied Early Decision and are deferred, you are a competitive candidate for admission or you would have been denied. Colleges may want to see additional information about your senior year academic performance and extracurricular involvement before making a final decision. If you are deferred, take some time to process the decision before taking any action.
Some students choose an ED I plan as a strategy to increase their chances of admission. A defer decision releases you from the binding ED agreement. So, if you have another school that you are equally excited about that happens to have an ED II option, this can be something to consider.
Some EA schools will defer strong students to test their level of interest. The defer letter references the opportunity to change a decision plan to ED II to increase chances of admission. This is something to think about if that EA school really truly is your first choice and you know you would enroll if offered a spot in the class. Keep in mind that this is not an option for you if you have applied to a different school during ED I and have not yet heard back from them.
If your ED I school remains your first choice, read the information from the institution regarding the timeline for hearing back from them again. Some colleges will allow you to submit a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI), but my advice is to wait to do this until you have new, valuable information to share. If the school just reviewed your application for admission, an immediate letter reiterating that University of My Dreams is your first choice school is not going to help you in any way. Maybe you want to give the ACT or SAT one more try. At least wait until after your first semester grades are confirmed, until after winter break, until you have news about a job you applied for or an exciting project you just completed - information that you can use to bolster your original application.
2) EA and ED are not the only games in town. There are excellent colleges with January and early February Regular Decision deadlines, as well as those that continue to offer Rolling Admissions until their classes are filled. If you feel like you limited yourself in the admissions process and did not cast a wide enough net, you still have time to submit another application or two. There are also many strong schools that do not require additional application essays.
3) Keep a positive attitude. Remember that admissions outcomes from selective universities don't define your worth or potential for success. If you approached this process thoughtfully, you will have terrific options. Don't let one school's decision derail your plans. Continue to focus on finishing out your senior year on a high note. Continue to pursue the things that make you happy and the things you care deeply about. Focus on finding the right match for your academic and personal goals and needs. Sometimes a deny decision can be a gift, as the school that denied you would not have been the place where you were destined to thrive.
By the time National Decision Day rolls around on May 1st, you will realize that you have made a decision that is right for you. And, if it ultimately is not the right choice, that is ok, too. Nothing is permanent. For now, trust the process and enjoy the ride!
