What do I do if I've been deferred?

<p>I've been deferred ED at Dartmouth and I was wondering what to do. Dartmouth is my first choice and I'll do anything I can to improve my chances. What should I do? Also, does Dartmouth actually defer people who they think have a chance or is it just a nicer rejection. Thanks.</p>

<p>I know that this stings but I will tell you the same thing I just told sanchez</p>

<p>yes, there are people who get deferred and then get picked up in the RD round. there is a student who is a 10 who got deferred, waitlisted then picked up from the waitlist.</p>

<p>I think the fact that you got deferred vs. being straight out rejected does say that you are still a viable candidate. just continue to do well and keep the school updated (make sure you send in your mid year report) as to any new developments. keep your head up and cocntinue to do well</p>

<p>Polite rejection for all but about 5% and most of those will be connected and not need financial aid. Sorry.</p>

<p>ok thanks. could you elaborate a little more on the kids who generally get in from being deferred. im a multi-generational legacy and dont need financial aid.</p>

<p>This is when you ask family and their Dartmouth friends to apply some pressure....give a donation....leave them in their wills..........</p>

<p>How close are your stats to Dartmouth averages?</p>

<p>750 CR 610 M 780 CR the two verbal ones are above the average, the math is clearly below it so overall i should fall somwhere within it.</p>

<p>SAT II: U.S. History 780 Biology: 650 again one above avg, one below</p>

<p>rising record academically at a highly competitve new england prep school</p>

<p>the reaL strength of my app lies in my ECs and recs. I've led several large community service projects including one with a budget of roughly $36,000. I'm also the head of debate, a section editor of the paper, and head of a political group. I'm also participate in several other clubs and organizations. My recs are excellent and my interview couldnt have gone much better. the person told me she gave me the highest rating possible. An English teacher also ly decided to write a letter but I don't think it arriveed in time to affect Early Decision. sorry if this is too long, I'm just really nervous. Dartmouth is the school of my dreams so any advice/suggestions would be great.</p>

<p>also, i've taken a rigorous courseloadand am an AP Scholar with distinction with 2 5s, two 4s, and a 3. My school doesnt offer the same number of APs as most because our school is so rigorous anyway.</p>

<p>Honestly it's hard to believe that as a multi generation legacy you did not get in. Are we defining legacy the same--you have a parent/s, grandparent who were Dartmouth undergrads?</p>

<p>parent, grandparent, and great grandparent as well as some cousins. any ideas/ suggestions would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>All you can do is start a campaign. Get another letter of rec, have anyone in the family who has given substantial $$ call the development office. Personally, if you can afford it I'd get a consultant who knows more than anyone of us here does, Michele Hernandez who wrote A is for Admission and is a former D admissions officer.</p>

<p>ok thanks you've been very helpful. one last question though: do you think my profile will help out when im reconsidered in the regular pool or have they already passed judgement?</p>

<p>You don't give your GPA. Your SATs are considerably below average. That won't help. However, I do think you'll get a harder second look than most. Good luck and hope to see you on the Green!</p>

<p>I'd also write a "letter of intent" kind of reaffrming Dartmouth is your very first choice, and letting them know you are really serious about it.</p>

<p>It's really about strategy. You need to analyze your application and find out why they hesitated. If it was the SAT's, RETAKE THEM. If you get any more honors or awards, notify them immediately. Some colleges don't like it when students barrage them with unnecessary extra information (like say, 10 extra letters of recommendation or a basket of cookies), but I say- if you and your guidance counselor think it may help, by all means, send it in.</p>

<p>thanks a lot. Is there anyone out there who was deferred and then got in? If so, what did you do?</p>

<p>what are my chances of getting in after being deferred ED? it's a weird feeling, i'm not happy (i wasn't accepted) but i'm not too sad (i wasn't rejected either)... any advice? is it worth it to kill myself over getting amazing grades this year to try to get in? </p>

<p>also, if i get into dartmouth in april, am i required to go there or do i have the option of going to a different college (even tho i applied ED Dartmouth)?</p>

<p>when you are deferred, the decision is no longer binding. so if you get in in april, you can choose to go somewhere else.</p>

<p>cool, thanks.</p>

<p>Its not a nice way of saying no. It's a nice way of saying that the admission committee couldnt decide on whether to admit you or not, so they want to compare you with all of the regular decision applications when they come in. Harvard has just deferred me, so I called my counselor and asked what I should do. Harvard requires two letters of rec from teachers and one from a counselor, and the teachers I selected were math and social science teachers. My counselor recommended that I get three more letters of rec, two from teachers (an english teacher and a science teacher) and one from the hospital where I volutneer (because its relevant to my major...molecular biology). He also suggested having an interview and writing another essay that will highlight my positive attributes and let the admissions committee get to know me a little better. My deferrence letter said that they would like to receive any materials that I think may help my case, so my counselor doesnt think that this would be bombarding them with information.
I'm sorry that this is long, but I hope that it helps.</p>

<p>Having been deferred ED from Dartmouth, I'd like to agree that a deferment isn't a pleasant rejection but I really can't. I don't want to burst Dee's bubble but a being deferred from Harvard and being deferred from Dartmouth are not the same thing. Citing stats from the Class of 2010, Dartmouth has historically deferred 27% of ED applicants, accepted 30% and rejected 43%. Harvard on the other hand deferred 73% of its ED applicants, accepted 21% and rejected only 4%. A deferment from Dartmouth should make you feel empowered that your at least good enough for an elite school, Dartmouth for whatever reason just isn't big enough to fit you.</p>