<p>Does anyone know anything about what a deferral from Swarthmore implies? I've scoured the internet for other threads about deferrals from Swat, and have found nothing. Are deferrals common? Is there much hope in this situation? Has anyone else been deferred? Are there any statistics? Sorry for all the questions, it's just that I thought there would be more information available about deferrals from Swat in particular, and oddly, there isn't. :/</p>
<p>I’m sorry that you got deferred. </p>
<p>I’ve never seen statistics. I do know that, occasionally, someone deferred in the ED round has been accepted in the RD round. As a practical matter though, it’s best to shift your focus on the many other great schools that are on your list. I bet there’s plenty there for you to be excited about. Give it a day or two and dive back in.</p>
<p>I have several friends here who were deferred early and then got in and (of course) came, but they really only defer those who they think will really stand a chance in the RD pool. So it’s not just that “occasionally” someone gets in, it has at least happened each of the four years I’ve been at Swat (anecdotally) There is definitely hope, and most of my friends who were deferred sent in extra materials to fill in the gaps they perceived or that they talked about with admissions folks when asking for advice. This doesn’t mean that you should swamp them with extra materials, just that this gives you space to think about it. There is definitely hope, although I would second ID’s suggestion to give it time and get excited about all your prospects now. I know it’s a tough situation to be in, and tough advice to hear, but they really only defer those who will stand with the best of their RD pool - best of luck!</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I really appreciate the responses. (: I’ve already begun other applications, so I’m definitely not putting any great amount of faith in being accepted RD. But Swat’s still my first choice, of course, and I’d go in a heartbeat if accepted RD. I’m hopeful (as always) though and will wait patiently for April 1st. I attended Discover Swarthmore! as well, which I think might help the tiniest bit.</p>
<p>I’m a little confused about how to keep in contact with Swarthmore, though. Should I email my regional admissions officer to ask advice about how to strengthen my app. in the RD round? Or should I just stick with the traditional letter with updates about new achievements/awards/etc. in February as my only contact? I don’t want them to be annoyed or to think I’m some psycho, freaked-out applicant. But I don’t want to be overly laid back about this either. :/</p>
<p>First of all, sorry to hear you were deferred. My son also was at Discover Swarthmore this fall, but he chose to apply to Wesleyan ED 1. He will find out Monday if he is in there. As far as what you should do to maintain contact, I would suggest that you stay in contact with your regional Swat admissions officer and whoever it was who interviewed you during Discover Swarthmore. Ask for their ideas. From what the posters above said, people who are deferred can and do get in. Finally, this is a good time to take a fresh look at your college list and also have a talk with your college counselor. Good luck to you! I am sure that since you were selected for Discover Swarthmore you will wind up at a terrific college.</p>
<p>Just wondering…if you’re deferred ED1 to RD, can you enter the ED2 round (with some updates, perhaps)? And…if it’s possible…would it even make sense?</p>
<p>Here’s my thinking: If you were willing to do ED1 and still feel that way after the deferral, why not tell them that if they accept you during the ED2 round that you will be bound to that offer? I’m thinking that the ED2 offerings may give them a better idea of the context of the applicant pool (particularly since the RD applications are also all in by then) and they probably know if the deferred ED1 applicant would make the cut or not. It seems to be win-win for all if the ED1 deferrals were able to convert to ED2 if they so wish. No?</p>
<p>I’m just asking questions, not offering advice…but can anyone with more of a clue than I offer up a reason why ieatflowers should not inquire into that possibility with his/her regional admission officer at Swat?</p>
<p>Right now, I really think the most important thing anyone deferred from ED should be doing is mentally shifting gears to think about the other options. I don’t think it does these students any favors to focus on the small odds of being accepted in later rounds afer an ED deferral. If that happens, great, but the focus has to be on making the other terrific options happen.</p>
<p>D’yer Maker (awesome song, by the way) that’s an interesting question, but in the interest of not appearing to be too desperate or too whiny, I think I’ll refrain from asking it. I wish it were possible (really, really wish,) of course, but if Swarthmore doesn’t offer that option on their own, I think it’s best not to pursue it. (: Like interesteddad has suggested, I’m mentally shifting gears and working on other applications. I just wanted to better understand how to go about staying in contact/showing interest in the coming months. Getting in RD will be a long shot, but I’ve learned not to underestimate the value of tilting at windmills, so I’ll still sure try my damnedest.</p>
<p>I think that’s a wise decision, flowereater.</p>
<p>@ interestdad: Just to pursue the issue as an academic exercise…</p>
<p>…don’t all the ED2 applicants have to focus on a broader pool? After all, the ED2 deadlines (generally) coincide with the RD deadlines. So it’s not like, from January 1 (or January 15) until the ED2 decisions come out, you’re in trouble because your mind is elsewhere and not focused where it should be. After the RD/ED2 applications are in, all you need to do is keep your grades up and enjoy your senior year of high school.</p>
<p>ED2 is simply a matter of doing exactly what you would be doing and, in addition, telling one school – whether it’s Swarthmore again or another school offering ED2 – that you’ll commit to that school if they like you. There’s no gear-shifting…or grinding…by checking an ED2 box on an application. In fact, by telling Swarthmore you’d like to go in the ED2 round (again, I have no idea if this is possible – or logical) you’re still in the hunt and free to get the rest of those applications complete with basically no effort on that ED2 application (since you submitted it in the ED1 round in November).</p>
<p>It’s not possible to apply ED2 or RD after you’ve applied ED1 - if you get in, you’re in. If you get deferred, you’re automatically in the RD pool unless you pull your application and cannot apply ED2. If you’re rejected, you cannot apply RD, or ED2. They do keep track. :)</p>
<p>Either way, sounds like you’re doing the right thing, and, as other posters suggested, staying in contact with your regional dean and your interviewer is always helpful, in addition to sending extra info if you have it.</p>
<p>Okay…then nevermind! :)</p>
<p>Accepted. (:</p>
<p>ieatflowers-Congratulations on your acceptance to Swarthmore! See, forgetmenots post#3 was “spot on.”</p>
<p>Is Swat still your first choice?</p>
<p>^^ Excellent.</p>
<p>Congratulations, ieatflowers!</p>
<p>ieatflowers,</p>
<p>I sent you a private message. Not sure if you saw it!</p>