Many of our students are beginning to get admissions decisions from colleges that they applied to as early decision candidates. There are three options of what a student will hear when they open that email or letter: acceptance, denial, or deferral. Of course the acceptance is the option that all of our students want to see.....denial is the one that NO ONE wants to see, and deferral just brings about more anxiety.
Typically, students put their heart and soul into their college applications and to hear that they got deferred creates a feeling of frustration. Don't give into that feeling!! A student that is deferred is still in the game and can have a chance to really shine! One of the best articles that I have read in regards to the deferral process was from the New York Times in 2012 (thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/).
There are suggestions for what students should do and how to create a PLAN of action for the deferral process. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Seek out your counselor and teachers for advice, suggestions, reading your essays, etc. Every college has a different purpose for the deferred pool. Georgia Tech has another application that a student must complete, UGA requires students to log into their original account and complete part II of their application (the essays), every school has their own nuance for the deferral process. Make sure that you understand that process, the requirements, and put your best work out there. This is a second chance for you to show the college admissions counselor that YOU are the best candidate for their institution. Good luck and please let your counselor know how they can help you!
