What do you think are a candidates chances of being accepted after being deferred ED. The way I see it, the likehood of acceptance is very slim. If they don’t accept you when you commit to attending, they just don’t want you. Has anyone been accepted to a school after being deferred ED? Anyone else feel this way or am I wrong?
<p>I've seen two cycles of EA/ED on this board before this year. The ultimate percentage of Acceptances from Deferred seems to range from 5-20 percent, depending on the school.</p>
<p>The best thing you can do, imo, is to plan your life around other schools and if you get the Deferred Acceptance, treat it as a happy surprise.</p>
<p>In specific answer to your question, at least five kids at my child's high school were admitted to their ED Ivys after being deferred last year. In 2 of the cases the candidates had exceptionally successful sports seasons after the ED apps went in and in two other cases exceptional positive pressure was brought on the colleges (there may also have been development issues involved). I am not familiar with the specifics of the fifth admit. It must be noted that there were many more students in the class who did not gain admission after being deferred, although they were equally or better qualified for their respective schools.</p>
<p>Thanks Mattmom, I think that is probably an exceptional number. The 5-20% that TheDad mentioned may be closer to the actual acceptance number. I have moved on as you say. It made me more aware of what I really wanted in a College education, more than just a big name! But don't get me wrong, if accepted I will absolutely be thrilled and I will defintely go there!</p>
<p>TribeGirl, which college?</p>
<p>William and Mary, I am an out of state, white female. Good luck to me! White females make up the largest number of applicants, by far. But it's still my first choice.</p>
<p>The only thing you can do is provie them with a short, to-the-point update about your grades and any new accomplishments (significant). Letting W&M know they are your #1 can go a long way if, for example, it comes down to you and someone else of equal academic stature.</p>
<p>Ouch. I think W&M is one of the tougher ones. Quite often colleges use their Deferred pile as a resevoir to fill out "holes" in their incoming class, e.g., "Where's that bassoon player we need?"</p>
<p>Dogstreet is right, write them a letter...it can't hurt and it has helped in some instances but, again, I don't know about W&M. If you see Carolyn around the board, she may have a better feel.</p>
<p>To the question: Some schools appear to differ rather than outright deny EDs. Others seem to do a little of both. I think Wellesley denied about 1/4 of their EDs this year. In addition to the nuances of the schools there are the differences in individual applications. I suspect some deferals simply indicate the schools want to see those January grades to see which way you are going. In other cases it might be that you are on the edge and they are looking for a little more. Take it as an opportunity, it is an open door for: a well written letter explaining your continued interest (might help address concerns about a weak essay), a more expansive list of trophies won, an additional letter of recommendation....</p>
<p>As theDad has mentioned, it also might mean they want to see what else is out there and if they will be able to keep the band, or the science major going with someone else. </p>
<p>In another post people are discussing the importance of showing interest in a school. EDs who were deferred have demonstrated a clear interest in the school that probably is not ignored. Go for it if you want to, or seach someplace else...in the meantime check your safety school. Good luck.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that most deferred applicants do not get admitted RD, and that demonstrating great interest to an elite school does not do much to help unless the applicant has some qalification or talent the school really wants anyway (in which case would not have been deferred in the first place in most though not all instances). At the top levels of selectivity, schools are not much swayed by students' eagerness to attend and generally take whoever will be most useful to overall class makeup.</p>