<p>So I, along with most of you, logged into my Eli account and, instead of seeing that blue background with the bulldog and the fight song, I saw a letter with a signature at the bottom. Rather than actually read this note, my eyes quickly looked at it, from top to bottom, and the word "deferred" stood out in the first paragraph. </p>
<p>Obviously, this isn't nearly as amazing as the singing bulldog undoubtedly would have been, but quite frankly, we all need to be realistic and understand that this is Yale. They can only accept so many of their incredible applicants early, and given the limited spots, they probably only take the students they really, really want. These students are recruited athletes, talented URMs, or just truly outstanding in one way or another, as measured by participation in such things as international competitions. Let's face it, most of us don't fit these criteria. So, to have stood out among a pool of such talented students, though not enough to get admitted, should still be an honour. It's a sign that Yale has enough faith in your academic promise and personal character to take time to reconsider you. I don't think we should see this as a bad sign, by any means. It means we're all great applicants, just not great enough to stand out among a pool of super-humans.</p>
<p>So, let's have hope for the next round. This isn't the end; it's just a hurdle along the way. This deferral is just confirmation that we're all highly qualified and will definitely get into a bunch of great colleges in the spring. No need to be sad about that, right? If you wanted an acceptance early, Yale just wasn't the right choice of college. Yale is a reach for everyone in every situation, and we all have to be prepared to accept the possibility of deferral and even rejection. </p>
<p>Things happen for a reason. I guarantee that within the next 12 months, you'll begin to look back on your deferral and think about how horribly wrong everything would have been if you had actually been accepted. Don't see this as a loss. :)</p>
<p>I’m with you. I’m flattered to even be deferred. 36% of the EA applicants(and that includes some fabulous people) were REJECTED. Those kids still have great college chances and so do we! </p>
<p>I’m using my deferral as a good sign for Smith RD…and I’m hopeful that I will end up in the right place</p>
<p>I totally agree. I didn’t even read the letter at first; I saw the word deferral and just shut my laptop lid. I feel fine, though - I’m proud of myself for applying.</p>
<p>Everything will work out for the best in the end. Keep your heads up, guys :)</p>
<p>A Deferral from Yale is nothing to be upset about… rocker, you put it very well. No matter where you end up, you will thrive. One thing I would like to point out… those accepted SCEA are not all athletes, URMs, or international competition winners. Most of them (coming from a current student) are just all around great people… who happened to thrive in whatever they do (all Yalies). They don’t necessary win international competitions, nor national or even state ones. Yes, some do, but a large proportion do not; rather, they have made a difference in their community and have great stats to back it up (as well to prove that they can handle the work). Every single person who was deferred is quite similar. Yes, as much as it seems like a lottery, it is not. As mentioned before, those who were deferred are amazing people and have potential to continue to do great things. Each one who was accepted had that something that will make Yale a vibrant community for years to come. On a side note, I know several people who were deferred and then accepted, so don’t give up hope if you still love Yale. </p>
<p>No need to apologize for the generalization. Good luck with the rest of your schools and if you decide to remain on the deferral list!</p>
<p>I look at it differently. I see this more like asking someone out to prom, and Yale said “Well, I might go with you if I don’t get a better offer later.”</p>
<p>I don’t care how pretty you are, Yale, I’m not your backup date.</p>
<p>As much as I agree with you rockermc, christiansoldier definitely has a valid point–because that is precisely what Yale is doing. I also wish that they wouldn’t defer so many people; they could clearly tell at least half of the deferrals that they won’t get in, and it would make deferral more of a compliment than a cop-out.</p>
<p>For the most part though, I totally agree with everything you’re saying. I was personally very satisfied with a deferral, probably because I had done everything to convince myself that I would be rejected. I took the deferral as meaning that I’m good enough to attend Yale, which I think is fairly impressive (even though it really doesn’t mean much as I don’t get to attend, at least not as of now). AND I don’t have to tell people that I was rejected, which is pretty amazing.</p>
<p>
I’ve been beating myself for doing EA at Yale instead of Georgetown (which I like pretty much equally), but I just couldn’t give up the attempt.</p>
<p>As much as I agree with you rockermc, christiansoldier definitely has a valid point–because that is precisely what Yale is doing. I also wish that they wouldn’t defer so many people; they could clearly tell at least half of the deferrals that they won’t get in, and it would make deferral more of a compliment than a cop-out.</p>
<p>For the most part though, I totally agree with everything you’re saying. I was personally very satisfied with a deferral, probably because I had done everything to convince myself that I would be rejected. I took the deferral as meaning that I’m good enough to attend Yale, which I think is fairly impressive (even though it really doesn’t mean much as I don’t get to attend, at least not as of now). AND I don’t have to tell people that I was rejected, which is pretty amazing.</p>
<p>
I’ve been beating myself for doing EA at Yale instead of Georgetown (which I like pretty much equally), but I just couldn’t give up the attempt.</p>
<p>I think the prom analogy is spot on. If the person you’re asking to prom also has 5,000 other people asking them and knew they’d be getting 20,000 other invites later too.</p>
<p>This is how I see it:
Yale has limited spots. We are making expansion so that we get more students into the College. Because we have very few spots for a HUGE number of applicants, Adcom tend to be VERY careful in selecting their applicants. </p>
<p>They taking careful consideration means they care. But the number of deferred students last year and this year means that their deferral is almost easy for them. Its almost like they do it automatically. Then again, some deferred students get in thru RD so it should be alright. </p>
<p>Notice that they are competing with Harvard, Princeton for applicants. These two have eliminated early applications, and so students might apply to all three for RD, instead of Yale for EA (and maybe get disappointed).
The fight between Harvard and Yale for RD is going to be ugly this year. I cannot wait.</p>
<p>BULLDOG I NEVER WENT ANYWHERE!!! I MISS YOU!!</p>
<p>And you’re right with that ^^ darn tootin’.</p>
<p>People are really overreacting with this deferral thing I think. It’s not like Yale didn’t ADMIT people. They admitted the number of places they wanted to allocate for early action and need to save the rest til RD. So clearly everyone who was deferred they just liked and wanted to consider again. It’s a GOOD thing! Though also indicates the applicant pool is especially strong this year. Darn.</p>
<p>I don’t really see myself as Yale’s backup date. I’m going to give it a stab and say that at least half of those 730 people were athletes, legacy admits, and URMs. I see Yale’s deferral as a sincere attempt to, in prom terms, “get to know me better.” </p>
<p>You can’t expect Yale to dedicate herself to us. After all, what promiscuous people we are to even consider other schools!</p>
<p>In all seriousness though, I wish they would defer less people. I believe Stanford rejected ~4000 applicants.</p>
<p>Hey. One thing to remember:
Yale has been around for 300 years. I said this last year and I will say it again. Yale has a reputation to keep. They are proud YES! Their likely letters are worded to stare at your ass, but NEVER kiss it. </p>
<p>They have sent letters to students and they expect them to apply. They have had students come and interview during the summer who they LOVED, but those kids did not apply for SCEA.</p>
<p>You have worked hard for four years, so do not let Yale hurt you at all. You are an important human being, and we are just a school. You can make breakthru after breakthru, and Yale will still be Yale. So apply to other schools and gain as much knowledge as you can.</p>
<p>^^haha cadillac i loved how you carried that analogy further.</p>
<p>you see? i have no reason to be on these threads, but you are all funny, intelligent, and charming- shows even in cyberspace. i expect nothing but the best from you guys come april</p>
<p>Hey! Stay here. You will learn a lot from people here. This site has reinforced the fact that we learn from people. Then again, there are those who would entertain and the ■■■■■■ keep the garbage coming.</p>