This wasn’t the situation you had in mind. Applying to Wake Forest Early Decision I or Early Action (for First-Gen Students) may have felt like a safe stretch, or maybe it was a big dream you knew not to bet on — but, either way, this isn’t the way you thought it would go. A yes would have been amazing and a no would have been a massive bummer, but a maybe wasn’t part of the plan. Now you’re here, reading this post, on the receiving end of a deferral, wondering what comes next.
Luckily, Wake Forest encourages deferred students to strengthen their application before it is reviewed again. So, in this post we’ll hand you the road map to increasing your chances of getting into Wake Forest in the regular decision round. We’ll also guide you towards your most successful college admissions experience, from finalizing your list to essay edits.
First, though, some stats and facts. The Wake Forest overall acceptance rate is 22%. They don’t release the data for deferral, or subsequent acceptance of deferred students, but they give deferred applicants enough guidance and encouragement that we know they actually do seriously reconsider — and accept — students after a deferral.
With that in mind, this is what to do next.
If you are looking for a comprehensive admissions strategy after a deferral, contact us. We’re pros at this.
Before you focus back on Wake Forest, you need to look at the big picture of your college application experience. Start with the bones: your list.
Review Your College List
Forming a balanced college list is the single most important part of a successful college application strategy. It’s possible that you put together your perfect list before even applying to Wake Forest, but chances are that you didn’t plan for a deferral. Looking at your list of schools with fresh eyes may illuminate imbalances you hadn’t seen earlier. Make sure you have a solid base of foundation schools, and a core group of targets with acceptance rates at or above 22%. Then you can have a small handful of reaches, including Wake Forest, that may have acceptance rates in the 18-22% range.
Once you’ve finalized this list, it’s time to take another look at the fun part of the college admissions process.
Reassess Your Common App Essay
We love the common app essay. Yes, it can be stressful. Yes, it’s high stakes. But it’s also a really fun piece of writing that you can truly make your own. With that in mind, take a look at our guide to the 2024-2025 essay prompts, and some real (and really successful) essays that helped students get into their dream schools.
If you see something in these essays that is missing from your own work, it’s time to refresh, revise, or even rewrite. Sure, that’s annoying when you probably have a ton of supplements to write, but it’s worth it — we promise.
Press Submit
Finally, you need to press submit. While this does sound obvious, it shockingly isn’t. Every year, someone explains to us the (incorrect) logic that the best time to submit your applications is at the last possible minute so you’re at the top of some imagined pile. Just to be clear, this is incorrect. The best time to submit is when you are ready to submit. That could be days before the deadline, or even weeks. Submit as soon as your application is ready to avoid the sort of last-minute tweaking that leads to what we call “Frankenstein essays,” or ones so badly edited right at the end that they are contorted out of shape, and all because someone got nervous.
WHAT WAKE FOREST WANTS
We love Wake Forest. We don’t only love Wake Forest because they give deferred students a ton of guidance, but it certainly factors into things. By offering students like you a path towards strengthening your application, they show that they are operating in good faith and are truly still interested in you. Below, we’ll break down everything you need to do to turn their guidance into game-changing action.
Deferred students, they write, “are encouraged to submit updated grades and may also add additional information, like awards and recognitions, recommendation letters, etc.”
Grades
Let’s start with grades. Wake Forest wants an updated grade report reflective of the time that has passed since you initially applied. Sometimes, the desire to see these grades is the impetus for the deferral decision, and can settle any lingering doubt the admissions officials have before they make an offer of admission.
Video Interview Question
Next, if you did not complete the optional video interview question as part of your initial application and still have access to it through the applicant portal, you need to do it now. While not required, it really is. The deadline for the video interview question is January 8th, so move quickly.
Additional Recommendation
Simultaneously, you need to identify someone who can write an additional recommendation letter who “will add significant value to your application or include something of which [the application readers] weren’t initially aware.” This could be a supervisor, mentor, coach, or other adult in your life who knows you and can speak towards your strengths with clarity and specificity.
Letter of Continued Interest
Unlike most highly selective colleges, Wake Forest invites deferred students to talk to admissions. They say,
“…please be in touch with your admissions representative. Each of our Admissions Deans reviews applications according to where you attend school; this individual not only knows the most about your school but is also best equipped to advocate for you.”
This is a huge opportunity, and not taking it would be like shrugging and saying “I’m not that into you” to Wake Forest. You don’t want to do that, obviously, so this is what you’re actually going to do.
You need to write a Letter of Continued Interest that reasserts that Wake Forest is your first choice school and that you will attend if accepted. Write the letter to your regional admissions official, and start it with a short paragraph saying exactly this — to you, Wake Forest is #1.
Next, you need to write a short update with 2-4 changes that have happened since you initially submitted, such as a new leadership position, recognition or award, job or volunteer commitment, or anything else similar. Put a particular emphasis on community-minded endeavors, as Wake Forest puts a lot of value in giving back to others.
Close the letter, which should be no more than 400 words, by once again saying that you love Wake Forest, and remind them of how well you know the school by referencing an opportunity or tradition you hope to take part in.
Revise, edit, and then submit via email to the regional admissions officer. This doesn’t need to be your only time reaching out to them, but they don’t want to hear from you every week — it’s about quality updates, not quantity.
Wake Forest wants students who want them. By checking all these boxes: grades, a letter of continued interest, and an additional recommendation, you can greatly increase your chances of admission.
We help strong students get into exceptional schools, even after a set-back. Email us to learn more.