Defer vs. Waitlist

<p>My son just applied ED to W&M. Can he be Deferred, as well as Waitlisted from his ED ap? What's the difference and how many kids ultimately get admitted from either list? We are in-state VA. From our school stats, it looks like no one gets in from a Deferral or Waitlist.
This information will make a difference because if he isn't admitted, he will want to apply EDII at another school.
Thanks for any insight!</p>

<p>There are three things that can happen when you apply ED:</p>

<ol>
<li> You are admitted. (Yay, congrats, cake for everyone.)</li>
<li> You are denied. (Cry yourself to sleep.)</li>
<li> You are deferred into the regular admission pool and considered with all other regular admission applicants. (Hope you enjoy suspense!) From this point, you can be accepted/denied/waitlisted.</li>
</ol>

<p>I have no idea what the accept rate is for people coming off defer/waitlist.</p>

<p>wmwunderkind is correct about the three possible outcomes for an early decision applicant. Generally fewer than 10% of those deferred during early decision are eventually admitted (whether that’s a straight admit during regular decison or an eventual admit from the regular decision waitlist). </p>

<p>We recommend that those deferred during early decision explore thoroughly their other options and apply to several other schools in order to give themselves the best odds of a good outcome come April.</p>