Let's say that one gets deferred by their Early Decision school. Is it best, normally, to simply focus on the other six phenomenal schools applying to over the next two weeks and the two already accepted to (that are also great choices) or do that plus work on a nice deferral letter and maybe a little input from one's guidance counselor?
The Early Decision school would still be the top choice, but also excited about the other potential and existing opportunities.
I wonder if the admissions personnel typically already have what they need and prefer to not be bothered.
Thanks.
They’d like to know that you are still interested. Ideally you might have an accomplishment sometime in the month of January or early February. You can email updating them on your accomplishment(s), and reiterating your interest in the school. But there is no point in pining. Focus in on completing strong apps for your RD schools, and wait and see what happens.
Once you have acceptances, try to go to accepted student visits at your top 2-3 schools before deciding. Since you aren’t going to be tied down to an ED school no matter what happens, take your time and decide with as much information as you can. One of my kids changed her mind after accepted visits at her top 3 – the school that was a distant 3rd going in really shone at that visit, and the other two kind of laid an egg. 24 hours on campus is very revealing. Even though she had visited before applying, it is a bit different once you have acceptances in hand. So do a good job on your remaining apps, give and update and let your ED school you are still interested, and see what happens.
Also, be realistic about the school and the deferral rate. For instance, some schools defer rather than reject a huge # of kids, others defer way less. A deferral from Stanford does not equal a deferral from Chicago. (I know Stanford is REA). Anecdotally, know tons of kids deferred from Chicago last year and none who got in; know 2 deferred from Stanford and both got in.
Depends on the school. Some say they want no contact other than midterm grades. Others like to see a letter of continued interest.
Yes, it’s best to focus on the other schools you are applying to. If you really love the school you were deferred from, by all means, write to express your interest, preferably with some kind of update that will enhance your application. Then, move on.
Yes, Chicago is notorious for deferring thousands.
Write a quick (but proof-read) letter of continued interest and ask your GC for input. Then LET IT GO and focus one thousand percent of your emotional energy on your other applications.
another less than savory side of admissions. Most colleges reject very few ED, instead “deferring” them until the RD round. This lets kids think they are still in the running for a seat and so they don’t talk about how harsh the school is to their lower-year HS friends who might apply in the future.
By contrast Stanford is honest with ED applicants; they know what admittees have had in previous years and reject those not up to that standard. For example they accepted about 10% ED, deferred about 7%, and rejected the rest for the class of 202 (see https://www.stanforddaily.com/2015/12/11/9-5-percent-of-early-applicants-admitted-to-stanfords-class-of-2020/)
Thanks for all of the great responses. The one thing that’ll change in the near future is more of a Physics track record; so that would be a good thing to put in a short letter. Making All-State Orchestra again (or, preferably, Band) won’t hurt and we’ll see what happens. And then two more AP Exams for a hopeful clean sweep of seven 5’s (to complement the 1540 and 34). There’s so many outstanding peers that I don’t blame the Admissions Office one bit. In the mean time the other options aren’t too shabby. I still think the Early choice is a remarkable all-arounder, but some are “better” in certain areas so there’s that. Good luck to everyone. I’m beginning to think that there’s no bad choices out there.
Depending on the school - I heard from Stanford Admission that they rarely defer people. They take it serious.
Good attitude, OP. 