My son got deferred from EA to regular decision from his top choice school. He wants to do film production and it is a very competitive field to get in. Anyone have any suggestions on turning a deferral into an acceptance? What has helped for others? This has been a tough day, but my son still wants this school so much. He has called admissions, but his rep wasn’t in. He then emailed her, however I’m sure a lot of students are doing the same.
It depends on historically, how many people from the defer pool eventually gets an offer. At Harvard, the percentage of deferees who eventually get admitted is a little above 2%. A defer from Harvard is a virtual rejection for all intents and purposes.
At some other schools, it might be much higher. It depends on Emerson. If it’s terribly low, then your family needs to invest about 95% of the energy between now and when other RD applications are due and focus on getting those in the best shape possible. After the RD deadlines, he can revisit his Emerson app and submit an update and a Letter of Enthusiasm
Thank you @T26E
I am trying to see research what the deferral to acceptance percentage is for Emerson. I know they can’t accept everyone but this definitely is not a good day at our house.
I agree with @T26E4 , your son needs to focus on filling out other applications. You will be setting him up for heartbreak by only focusing on Emerson. What if the deferral becomes a rejection (which is highly likely) and he hasn’t applied anywhere else for a safety? Will he attend a CC? Will he do a GAP year and reapply?
Always fight for a deferral. Why not? Your son will likely be rejected RD, so bug the AOs with some questions… ask your counselor to try to find out what your son could explain more… I could be wrong, but I heard somewhere that Yale defers some applicants to accept RD so it doesn’t look like SCEA applicants have an edge.
@“aunt bea” He has been accepted to Ithaca College, SCAD Loyola Un - Chicago and Columbia College Chicago for Film. He was waitlisted at UNCSA after the first round of interviews and he really likes that program. Still waiting on DePaul and Pratt. However, his heart was/is set on Emerson, but we have some great backups. Anyone have any opinions on the schools he was accepted for Film? We visited Ithaca and Columbia but haven’t seen SCAD or Loyola yet.
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@Karme1121, my advice is to definitely have you son send an email to his admissions counselor at Emerson letting them know that while he is disappointed with the news of his deferral, he understands that they had to make some tough decisions (because unfortunately they do) and that Emerson is and will remain his first choice school and he looks forward to hearing from them in the spring. It can be as simple as that but if it’s his number one let them know that because, while it isn’t going to necessarily get him an acceptance, they can’t read his mind and he will feel better about making sure they know so he can accept whatever their final decision is knowing that he did all he could. My son was accepted to Emerson today for film but deferred at his number 1 school a couple of weeks ago so, while he’s quite excited about Emerson, I can completely relate to the disappointment that came along with the deferral for your son. Remember, it is a deferral not a rejection (that’s not to say it doesn’t feel like one to them). If they were absolutely sure that they wouldn’t have a place for him they would have rejected him. Obviously his chances were best the first time around but that does not mean he doesn’t have a chance in the spring. Definitely have him continue exploring his options because in the process he may realize that there is indeed another school that he becomes really excited about! These things do tend to all work out in the end although I’m sure that’s hard for him to wrap his head around today. Best of luck to you both!
Yes, he should let them know it’s still his first choice. Write that letter well, as carefully as the CA essay. Then do everything possible to make that application stronger and communicate those improvements to Emerson. This means very strong midyear grades, perhaps entering some contests and conveying the results, a clip of a piece of particularly good work… If you want a different result, it will help to have a different application, even a little!
I have known kids who were deferred to RD and then waitlisted (at other schools, not Emerson ) who got in off the WL with this kind of steady interest. But it meant keeping the petal to the metal right through the end of senior year, which in and of itself differentiated them from most seniors.
So yes, it’s possible, and it may be a longer road than simply RD, and it may not work. But no harm in trying while you’re also working out other alternatives, which btw can look better when the sting of this week’s decision fades a bit. This is a hard moment.The upside is that your son will be able to attend ac cepted students days in the spring, ask questions, and make a good, informed decision.
@hhjjlala , telling a deferred applicant to bug the rep with more questions is terrible advice and should be ignored. No one ever got admitted to a college by bugging a rep.
OP, your son should definitely express continued interest. It is fine to send an email now, and then maybe closer to RD to email once again, especially if there is any news to convey, such as awards or achievements.