Being deferred from Penn is a gut punch. You spent months building an application that showcased your academic strengths, your personal growth, and why you saw yourself thriving on their campus. You hit submit with hope, and now you're left in limbo. It’s disappointing. But a deferral isn’t the end, it’s a pause. Penn hasn’t closed the door. In fact, they’re still considering you!

Pitzer is a small liberal arts school full of people who are passionate about improving the world. The community is packed with students who want to make an impact, and Pitzer has cultivated a program that empowers them towards a meaningful future. Students benefit from small class sizes and a close-knit student body, while also having access to thousands of additional course options through The Claremont Colleges. The acceptance rate is about 27%.

Getting deferred from Harvard hurts. You aimed high, put your heart into the application, and now you’re in a holding pattern. It’s frustrating, confusing, and yeah, it stings. But take a breath. A deferral isn’t a no! it’s a “not yet.” And that means the door is still open and there are things you can control in this process.

Vassar is a private liberal arts college in Poughkeepsie, NY, a small city about an hour and a half north of New York City by train. The college has an open curriculum, which gives students opportunities for both broad exploration and deep specialization once you land on what you love most. There are about 2,500 undergraduates and the student to teacher ratio is only 7:1. The average class has only 19 students. They receive about 12,500 applications annually for less than 700 spots in the first-year class. Students come to Vassar from all around the world, and share a passion for learning in a creative environment that is nurturing, encouraging, and challenging. The acceptance rate is under 19%.  

Southern Methodist University, or SMU, is a private research university in Dallas, Texas. As one of the largest metro areas in the US, Dallas offers SMU students impressive opportunities for internships and field-based learning. The city is, in fact, an extension of the classroom for the 7,000 or so undergraduate students, who pursue programs across business, engineering, education, and the humanities. A large percentage of students, 41%, come from Texas, but the community represents all US States and Territories, and dozens of countries. The acceptance rate is 61%.

It’s tough news. You put your heart into your UChicago ED application, hit submit, and waited with hope. But now you’re stuck in that frustrating in-between: deferred. It’s not the outcome you wanted, but it’s also not the end of the road. A deferral is a pause, not a rejection. So take a breath. You’ve still got options, and you’ve still got agency in this process.

Over 32,000 students a year apply to Tulane, and it isn’t because of just one reason. The academics are amazing, the culture is amazing, the community is amazing, and it’s in New Orleans, perhaps the most fun city to be a college student — especially if you love music and celebration. The culture of Tulane is grounded in enthusiastic service to others, and as a private research university with this strong mission they are doing important work in labs and around the world. The undergraduate experience is varied, but with a shared foundation. All students complete the core curriculum, which is designed to spark curiosity and encourage exploration. The acceptance rate is about 14%.

Let’s be honest: a deferral isn’t what you were hoping for. You shot your shot with Duke, and now you're in the uneasy limbo of “maybe later.” It’s not a no, but it’s definitely not the early and easy “yes” you envisioned. If you’re feeling disappointed, that’s completely fair. Take a moment. Be mad. Be sad. Eat your favorite snack. Then, when you’re ready, let’s talk about where to go from here.

Oof. We know this one stings. You spent weeks (maybe months) pouring your energy into your Dartmouth ED application. You hit submit, envisioned yourself bundled up on the Green, and now, you feel stuck or lost. Not rejected, but not accepted either, just hanging in that awkward “maybe” space. It’s frustrating, it’s disorienting, and yeah, it’s a little heartbreaking. So first, take a deep breath. A deferral isn’t the end – it’s a second chance and an opportunity to regroup.

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the most well-respected public research universities in the country. This is especially true for out-of-state students interested in a STEM field, as UT Austin has impressive programs in computer science, engineering, and scientific research. They also have an iconic college culture. Austin is an exciting college town, and the university has a beloved cultured centered around hard work, athletics, and live music. The in-state acceptance rate is about 38%. The out-of-state acceptance rate is only 10%. And the international student acceptance rate is slightly higher at 13%.