<p>What is the difference between being waitlisted and being deferred?</p>
<p>I just discussed the deferred thing on page 4 of the thread titled "just sent in!" so you might want to check that in.</p>
<p>Deferrals can happen at any point in the admissions process. It simply means they can't make a decision yet but hope to later, either when they know more about the overall applicant pool or when they know more about you (for example, a deferral for grades). </p>
<p>Generally speaking, waitlisting happens much later in the admission season (late spring), and it essentially says "we're done making admissions decisions BUT we might end up filling in some spots once all the deposits are sent in (post May 1), and you're the kind of student we'd like to accept if there is room." You can accept or deny a place on the waitlist. </p>
<p>In recent years some schools have admitted up to 10% of their class from the waitlist. Michigan hasn't gone to the waitlist in recent years. However, yield has been unexpectedly high the last few years, so in an effort to better manage enrollment, I strongly suspect Michigan will plan on some waitlist action this year.</p>