<p>Recently I just received my results from ED1 for Tufts University. Now, I'm not completely upset as they obviously saw something in me, but a little upset that I now have to wait 4 months to get my final decision. But for now, I was wondering if anyone could answer my questions (especially Dan since his answers usually are quite great):
1: How many students (on average) are deferred?
2: What is the percentage later on for deferrals being accepted?
3: I know that there are suggestions to send an update letter. If I neglected to include vital EC things my first time around (such as articles that were published and a cover dedicated to me for an alumni magazine), will I be able to send them to you with the same amount of consideration as if I had put it on my common app originally?
Thank you Tufts for at least seeing the potential in me. Also Dan, if you happened to be one of the admission officers that received my ransom notes in my app... Please don't call the cops. That would make me sad face.</p>
<p>Also, does anyone have any advice for me? Do you think I can get in still?</p>
<p>Dan said on the live blog he did from the admissions committee that, while for some schools a deferral is a “soft denial” – not so for Tufts. He said that when they defer someone they are genuinely hoping that something in the intervening period (such as strong senior year grades) can help assure them. Do try to strengthen your case; they’ll be rooting for you! Good luck.</p>
<p>I agree with whackadoodle. Tufts saw something in you, but there was also something that made them falter, just a little bit. Sometimes its low senior year grades, or just something that’s nagging them and making them hesitant. Keep your grades way up, and I definitely suggest sending in ANYTHING you may have forgotten. If you didn’t write the optional essay, maybe do that? Try and take away anything that could make them say “…I don’t know.” Again, just as whackadoodle said, they’ll be rooting for you!!</p>
<p>mmusicallover, of course you may still get in. I do not know the numbers but a deferral is not a rejection. If there are materials you should have sent in and didn’t you should absolutely send them in before the regular deadline. You might have a non-teacher recommendation, awards, or just missing info. Deferrals generally mean that while there was nothing wrong with your application, there just wasn’t quite a compelling reason to accept you. If there is something that you can add you should do it. </p>
<p>That said, do be prepared to do your best with other applications. It does mean that for one reason or another you weren’t a shoe-in. (But who is at Tufts?) My older son was deferred from two colleges and eventually rejected from both. He ended up being accepted at Harvard, and ended up attending Carnegie Mellon. Admissions are very unpredictable - especially holistic admissions.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! Does anyone else have any advice or past experiences involving deferrals?</p>
<p>The only advice I can give is don’t try to game the system and don’t play it safe. Be yourself even if it means taking a risk. Good luck!</p>