<p>I got deferred and am under the impression that NU defers very few applicants. Anyone else in the same situation? In what other ways is NU's deferral different from other schools where it might just be a polite rejection. An article in north by northwestern said that around half of the deferred applicants were accepted in 2009, but that's 2 years ago.</p>
<p>Not sure, my friend was deferred tried his hardest, got all A’s, then was rejected.</p>
<p>I have heard that only a very small % are deferred. I would think it is actually a positive sign.</p>
<p>Think of this as an opportunity. Definitely try your best, apply to other schools, and just see what happens.</p>
<p>As I have mentioned in several other threads when the topic is brought up, NU only started deferring from the ED round a couple of years ago. In the past couple of years they have deferred a very small percentage of students and the Dean of Admissions has stated quite clearly that they defer to see 1st semester grades. (We’re talking well <100 students per year.) Anyone who was deferred has a legitimate shot to get in RD. You really must “up” your grades or if you are already at a high level, keep them up.</p>
<p>You can treat that as conditional acceptance. Instead of getting discouraged, use it as motivation to do well in your final exams.</p>
<p>In addition to grades, would continuation of EC achievements matter, or being named a Nat’l Merit Finalist?</p>
<p>Also it would be great if any others from the small group of deferred applicants would post in this thread and perhaps discuss if they believe their grades are the issue or otherwise.</p>
<p>SG: anything you can do that will be icing on the cake is good. Of course continue with your EC’s! Also, do you know who your admissions rep is for your state/area? Without being annoying or over doing it, you could pass along additional achievements or interesting things that come along in the coming months. Any way you can set yourself apart from the pack. I think it is valuable to have a relationship with your rep because ultimately, they are the ones who are going to go to bat for you in the process (this is what my daughter did after the rep came to visit her school). My D’s rep was super friendly and helpful but she was cognizant of not over doing it. Afterall, they are very busy!</p>
<p>I got deferred :(. I’m pretty sure my grades were the cause of my deferment. Ugh gotta do well on my finals. good luck to the rest of you</p>
<p>What were your scores and are you an NM semifinalist?</p>
<p>[College</a> Early Admission Is Tougher Than Ever - The Daily Beast](<a href=“College Early Admission Is Tougher Than Ever”>College Early Admission Is Tougher Than Ever)
Top of 2nd page, it says:</p>
<p>“Vanderbilt didn’t defer anyone, for example, and Northwestern deferred just over 1 percent”.</p>
<p>:O</p>
<p>^ thanks stupidguy…very interesting. Good news for those that were deferred! Keep those grades up!!!</p>
<p>As I have been saying to anyone who will listen, NU basically only defers a relative handful of students. Those ~30 students (give or take) would be well-advised to get any borderline grades up and keep their other grades up. It’s not a guarantee that you will be admitted, but it “positions you well.”</p>
<p>Stupidguy94–don’t call yourself stupid! I was deferred too, and I’m taking it as a good sign and it’s motivating me to work even harder than I was. and if it doesn’t happen for us, it doesn’t happen, but I think we should feel proud that we were almost there and just need that last little push. Plus, there’s only 30 of us! we’re part of the elite few :)</p>