<p>Ordinarily, a student applies ED (Early Decision) or EA (Early Action) in early November and receives a decision in mid-December. The large majority of students, however, apply Regular Decision (RD) by January 1 and are notified of the decision whether to admit or reject them on April 1. Deferred means that a college defers considering the application of a student who applied ED or EA and will consider the application together with those who applied Regular Decision (RD).</p>
<p>Nikola, </p>
<p>How kind of you to so carefully consider what will be a very important letter for your student!</p>
<p>As far as what American schools are looking for in their admitted students, most schools do address this on their web sites, at least in general terms. For Harvard, "Successful applicants present strong academic credentials, evidence of highly developed talents or interests, motivation and character." So, like Momrath, I think you are doing just the right thing by indicating that he is witty and sociable, in addition to whatever other special qualities you see, and by emphasizing his strengths and the strength of your school. The fact that your school routinely sends its pupils to the top German schools, and that this student is the top student, speaks to the rigor of your school and to your student's success within it.</p>
<p>I am just a parent, not an expert, but my child who is now a freshman in university did say that one of the teachers who wrote a recommendation was planning on telling of specific things my child did, or maybe specific situations that showed various qualities. I thought this a good idea because it would give the admissions people concrete examples in addition to adjectives. </p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Nikola, here is a link to the page of the Harvard website where they give contact information.</p>