<p>Once the early admission round decisions from Boston College are made public, those students in the deferred pool will enter one of two states. On the one hand, some deferred students will go into super-charged mode to pitch their case. Meanwhile, others will translate their deferral into a rejection and just move along with their search.</p>
<p>While on two extremes, there are elements from both endpoints that will help the proactive student shift their energies into moving forward positively. Tonight, we wanted to offer a six-point plan which might help some readers organize their thoughts following a deferral for Boston College and beyond.</p>
<p>[1] Take Action on Other Schools : Recognize that a deferral, should it not change in the regular decision round, will eventually turn into a waitlist application and ultimately, a rejection. This means that your first order of business is to be sure that all of your regular decision applications and supporting details are in place for your other choices. Review where you have been accepted (rolling admissions or other early answers) and strictly focus on getting your top choice from the accepted list decided as a matter of priority. If this entails campus visits and such, execute on that plan starting with the accepted students days at those campuses. You might be able to update your top choice as time rolls on, but right now, you have to work within your existing results.</p>
<p>[2] Are Your Numbers Above the Midpoint? : Review your test scores and general GPA material against the ranges for Boston College - if you are a bottom half candidate, your challenge will be much larger than a top half candidate. Be honest with your placement against the field of potential candidates. Remember that another 24,000 applications will be introduced into the regular decision pool as part of your competition and the depth of the pool does not shrink with more applications.</p>
<p>[3] Take a Critical Eye to your Essay : Was it accurate (grammar/spelling) and compelling? Did it provide insight into you as a student and a potential Boston College undergraduate? Boston College knows that it is a great institution - the question you need to answer in your essay is “why you make Boston College a better place to be”. Successful candidates can usually articulate why Boston College should accept them.</p>
<p>[4] Why BC? : Do you have a list of the top five reasons why you want to attend Boston College? Are they real reasons that show why you contribute more to the campus? Now is the time to rely on that listing and build your follow-up letter around those well-researched points if they are substantial and not contrived.</p>
<p>[5] Do You Have New Data - Not More of the Same? : Is there anything new in your academics or awards that should be brought to an admissions director’s attention?</p>
<p>[6] “Up” Your Recommendations : Arrange for your school principal to contact your area’s admissions reader to underscore your qualifications and interest in the school. See if the principal can determine why you might have been deferred.</p>