In previous years, I posted a thread just after SCEA decisions were announced, however in hindsight I think students who were deferred were a bit too depressed to process everything. So, I’m going to start earlier this year, when everyone’s hopes are high, to give students more time to absorb why they might have been deferred and what they might be able to do about.
First off, Princeton defers more students in the early round than it accepts or rejects – so the majority of applicants who applied SCEA will be deferred. That’s not to depress everyone, that’s just the reality.
Please take the time to read the above link, so that you’re prepared when decisions are announced and understand what course of action you can take if you are deferred. Best of luck to everyone!
“The waiting is the hardest part” – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
The sad truth is that an applicant might dodge all 52 of those bullets and still be rejected or deferred. My advice is to hope for the best, be prepared for disappointment, and have realistic backup plans.
As difficult as it is to accept — a deferral is as good as a rejection. If you can wrap your head around that fact, you’ll be in a much better frame of mind to embrace the colleges that actually accept and want you!
Of course, you can try to have your guidance counselor contact Admissions and find out why you were deferred. Will it do any good? (Most likely not.) Sure, you can write an update letter to Admissions. Will it do any good? (Most likely not.) Yes, you can try to get another teacher to write you a recommendation letter. Will it do any good? (Most likely not.) Sure, you can write another essay that’s better than the ones you’ve already submitted. Will it do any good? (Most likely not.)
Best of luck to everyone whatever you decide to do, or whatever school you ultimately will attend.