If two candidates with the same everything applied to Brown, would one who applied ED and got deferred have a slightly better chance in the RD round than the other candidate? I’m guessing he would have a slightly better chance since a deferred candidate would still most likely enroll which would increase yield, but who knows. Does anyone have actual numbers? I’ve heard that deferred ED candidates have a 1-2% higher acceptance rate RD than the overall RD acceptance rate.
No, in general, ED deferred applicants have already been assessed. They have been passed over and there are, generally, too many great new RD applicants to choose from. This isn’t particular to Brown but a general observation and of course there are exceptions.
@Oregon2016 so are you saying that the acceptance rate for deferred ED applicants will actually be lower than the overall RD acceptance rate?
Yes, that is my guess.
At many schools, the deferred students do better than the regular pool, particularly if the school rejects some students in the ED round. You can help your case by strengthening your application. Add new accomplishments, prizes, better midyear grades…
And it is possible that ED applicants on the WL will, all else being equal, be accepted first. But not always.
Yes, you can still get in but don’t count on it. I haven’t followed this for Brown in particular. Look at Old threads to see what you can learn about deferred applicants in the past.
For most schools that offer ED, if an applicant who was willing to sign a binding contract to go to that school is deferred, then their chances of acceptable in the RD round is much, much lower. If the ED boost is not enough to sway their opinions, then the chances are not good.
This is not the case with EA schools since there is not the same admissions boost with an EA application.
Brown has consistently said (over many many years) that deferred ED applicants have the same acceptance rate in the regular decision round as everyone else. The one year that statistics were released confirmed that statement.
I hope you get in, but finding other schools you can learn to love is the best thing you can do for yourself right now! A deferral ED is certainly not a rejection, but you should try to mentally treat it as such, and expect to get denied RD.
@barackhussein (nice name haha) Thanks! Yeah, I’ve pretty much moved on from Brown, and I’ve already been accepted to NEU!