Level All Team
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January 9, 2026
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6 min
Getting your college admissions results isn’t always a simple yes or no. If you’ve been deferred or placed on a waitlist, it means your journey with that college isn’t over—but you do need a game plan. The good news? You’re still in the running. Now it’s time to take smart, proactive steps that give you the best possible shot at admission.
Let’s break down what these decisions mean—and what you should do next if you're waitlisted or deferred from college.
When you open that admissions decision and see "deferred" or "waitlisted," it can feel confusing—or even discouraging. But both decisions mean the college still sees potential in your application. You haven’t been rejected, but you also haven’t been admitted. Whether you were hoping for a quick yes in an early round or waiting on regular decisions, you’re now in a gray area. It’s time to get clear on what these results mean—and how to move forward with purpose in the college admissions process.
You might be asking yourself, “What does deferred mean for college?” or “What does it mean if you’re deferred for early action?” If you were deferred from an Early Decision or Early Action round, your application wasn’t strong enough to guarantee early admission—but it was strong enough to keep in play. The college has pushed your application into the Regular Decision pool, where it will be reviewed again alongside others who applied later in the year.
A deferral isn’t a rejection, and it isn’t a waitlist. It’s essentially a “not yet”—and that means you still have a shot. The same application you already submitted will be reconsidered, and if you were in a binding Early Decision program, you're now released from that agreement. You’re free to apply to other colleges—and you absolutely should.
Colleges often defer applicants because the early pool is especially competitive, and they want to see how you stack up against the full applicant pool. It can also mean the admissions committee wants more information, like updated grades or achievements. So if you’re wondering what to do if deferred from college, the next sections will guide you.
A waitlist decision typically comes after Regular Decision results are released. You haven’t been admitted, but the college may still offer you a spot—if space becomes available. In short, you’re a backup option, and while it’s better than a no, it comes with a lot of uncertainty. This is what it means to be waitlisted by a college.
Historically, only a small percentage of waitlisted students are admitted—but it varies by college and year. That’s why it’s smart to check our College Finder tool to see how many students were admitted from the waitlist at your chosen college last year.
If you choose to remain on the waitlist, treat it like a long shot—and continue making plans to attend another college. You’ll need to submit a deposit elsewhere by May 1, and if your waitlist school offers you admission later, you can change course (but likely won’t get your deposit back).
One of the best moves you can make after being deferred or waitlisted is to send a letter of continued interest (LOCI). This letter gives you the chance to:
A strong letter sets you apart from other deferred or waitlisted students who don’t follow up—or who don’t personalize their communications. Colleges want students who are likely to attend, and your letter helps signal just that. Use a letter of continued interest after deferral.
If you’ve been deferred, your job now is to stay engaged. Start by sending that LOCI, and follow up with any updates that might strengthen your application: improved test scores, new awards, higher grades, leadership roles, or other accomplishments. Keep your counselor in the loop—they can send an updated transcript and might offer helpful insight from past students who’ve been in your shoes.
Colleges may admit a surprising number of deferred students during Regular Decision, especially those who show continued interest and growth. So don’t let the word “deferred” keep you down. Instead, use it as motivation to make your application impossible to ignore the second time around. This is the heart of a smart college deferral strategy.
If you’re waitlisted, take time to evaluate whether you want to remain on the list—and then take action. Accept your spot if you’re still seriously interested in attending, and send a LOCI that explains why the college is still your top choice. Then, gather and submit any new materials that might help your case.
You should also do some research. Some colleges rank their waitlists or have specific priorities when admitting from them. If you can find out how your college handles the waitlist—through the admissions office or their Common Data Set—you’ll have a better sense of where you stand.
In the meantime, commit to another school. That way, you’re not left without a plan in case your waitlist option doesn’t pan out. This is an important part of your college waitlist strategy.
Your LOCI is your most important tool in this phase of the admissions process. A great letter should thank the admissions committee, reiterate your interest, and give specific reasons why the school remains your top choice. Show how you’ve grown, and share recent achievements that demonstrate your readiness to succeed on campus.
Be specific. Instead of general praise, mention particular programs, professors, or opportunities that excite you—and explain how they align with your goals. Then, submit the letter through your portal and email it to your regional admissions rep to be sure it gets seen.
Need help writing it? Use our Letter of Continued Interest templates to get started—great if you’ve been searching for a college waitlist LOCI example or a deferred letter of continued interest sample.
If you’ve made academic or extracurricular strides since you submitted your application, now is the time to showcase them. This might include new test scores, updated transcripts, awards, or leadership roles. Some colleges will also accept an additional recommendation letter, especially if it adds new insight.
Always check with the college before submitting extra materials. If allowed, work with your counselor to send official documents and highlight the most meaningful updates. These updates can play a critical role in improving your college admissions chances after being deferred or waitlisted.
Whether deferred or waitlisted, one of the most important things to do is keep moving forward. If you were deferred, focus on completing Regular Decision applications and hitting every deadline. If you were waitlisted, enroll at a college that accepted you, and prepare for that path as your primary plan.
Make sure you understand deposit fees, refund policies, and whether you qualify for a deposit waiver. And keep checking your email. Waitlist offers can come with very little warning—and sometimes, very late in the summer.
In the meantime, stay focused on finishing the school year strong, and don’t lose momentum. This chapter of the process may be filled with uncertainty, but your effort still matters. Keep working on your college decision timeline and check off all the action items.
Navigating a deferral or a spot on the waitlist isn’t easy—but you’ve already taken a huge step by staying proactive and informed. No matter how this round plays out, you’re about to begin an exciting new chapter as a college student. We’ve got guides to help you transition to campus, manage your finances, find work, and start strong.
You didn’t get a “no”—you got a “not yet.” That’s your cue to keep showing up and showing what you’ve got.
Explore next steps with our Precollege Checklist, Financial Aid Guides, and Campus Resources Hub. You’ve got this.
