How to Deal with Early Round Deferrals and Rejections

Over the next few weeks, 12th graders from around the world will be hearing back from US universities. As college admissions becomes more and more competitive each year, we've noticed a rise in the number of students whose applications are deferred or rejected.

Getting deferred or rejected can feel frustrating, confusing, and discouraging. However, by staying intentional, motivated, and true to your goals, you can turn this moment into an opportunity. Many students end up thriving at schools that were not their “first choice” schools. Here’s what you can do to boost your chances for the regular decision round and maintain perspective:

1. Follow Deferral Instructions

Every school handles deferrals differently. Some welcome updates. Others explicitly ask you not to send in extra materials. Before taking action, check your application portal, the deferral letter, and the school’s admissions website. Follow instructions closely—universities notice when you respect their process. If the college allows updates, a polished, genuine letter of continued interest can make a meaningful difference. Use your letter to reaffirm your enthusiasm for the school, describe what you’ve been doing since you applied, and share new updates (grades, awards, leadership roles, community involvement, or creative accomplishments). Admissions offices love to see momentum.  

2. Polish Your Regular Decision Applications  

This is a chance to reflect on how you presented yourself in the early round. You may want to write new essays if you feel your early application wasn’t as strong as you wanted it to be. Think about what other schools are a good fit and submit strong regular decision applications.  

3. Stay Academically Strong  

Keep your coursework rigorous and maintain (or improve) your academic performance.    

4. Keep Engaging Meaningfully in Your Activities  

Continue with your extracurriculars, jobs, or personal projects. Sustained involvement shows maturity and commitment, both of which admissions officers value.  

5. Take Care of Your Mental Well-Being  

Your worth isn’t defined by a college’s timeline. It’s okay to feel disappointed, but don’t let a deferral or rejection overshadow your senior year. Make time for friends, family, rest, and joy.  

6. Get Professional College Counseling

If you did not get professional college counseling during the early round and want some direction now, it's not too late. Our counselors are standing by and ready to help. We recently helped a student write a very personal and passionate letter of continued interest. It was well-received, and he was given admission to Johns Hopkins University in the regular decision round. The January 1st regular decision deadline is coming soon, and the next few weeks are critical for revising and writing new essays.