Deferred? Here Are 3 Steps to Get Out of Admission Purgatory

You open your portal hoping for a “Congratulations!” and instead get the dreaded “We’ve deferred your application to the regular decision round.” It stings. It’s confusing. And it leaves you stuck in limbo, wondering what comes next.

Here’s the truth: a deferral isn’t a soft no. It’s a “show us more.” And if you know what to do next, you can absolutely shift the outcome.

Here are three steps that actually move the needle:

1. Lock In Your Academic Momentum

Your job now:

Keep your grades up and avoid senior slump at all costs.

If you’re trending upward, maintain it. If you hit a bump earlier this year, now is your moment to show recovery.

Make sure your counselor knows you want your mid-year report sent as soon as it’s available. This is one of the few pieces of new data colleges rely on heavily.

Why it matters: Admissions officers want proof of consistency, maturity, and follow-through. Strong mid-year grades can instantly shift your file from “maybe later” to “yes.”

2. Send a Targeted, Impactful Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)

A LOCI is not a formality; it is a strategy.

Your message should:

-Confirm the school is still a top choice (be specific, not dramatic).

-Update them on new achievements since you applied, including awards, project milestones, leadership roles, jobs, athletic or artistic progress.

-Show deeper fit by referencing programs, initiatives, or opportunities that align with your goals and weren’t already in your application.

Focus on clarity, not fluff. One page. Clean. Purposeful.

Why it matters: Admissions offices need to know who’s really going to enroll. Demonstrated interest, when done right, can tip the scales.

3. Strengthen Your Overall Application Strategy

A deferral is your signal to reassess the rest of your college list and move with intention.

Ask yourself:

-Do you have enough target and likelier schools where you’d be happy and well-supported?

-Is there an ED2 option that aligns with your priorities and offers strong merit?

-Are there gaps in your overall narrative, extracurriculars, or major exploration that you need to tighten before Regular Decision apps go out?

This is where many students get stuck and wait instead of building momentum. The stronger your Regular Decision filings, the more control you take back.

Final Thoughts

A deferral isn’t a dead end. However, it is a turning point and one that rewards students who act quickly, strategically, and confidently.

You’re not in purgatory-you’re just in a second round. And you’re still very much in the game.