Deferred? What should you do?
Make immediate contact if the school accepts it. This can be through a formal email, a correspondence on the school portal, and/or a follow-up from your school guidance office.
Check the deferral email for instructions
Sign into the college's portal and search around for guidance. It is sometimes hidden in a deferral message or FAQs
Upload a PDF of your resume if there is space to upload it and you have not yet submitted it as part of your application
Send updated SAT or ACT scores if you were savvy and continued testing past your application deadlines. An increased score can make a big difference in turning a deferral into an acceptance
Have your guidance department/school registrar send a first-quarter report if your grades are equal or improved.
Assure that you have filled out the correct papers at your guidance department to send your midyear report. All schools get it.
If there is a form to reiterate interest that the college requests you to fill out, you must use this method. If it does not have room for a long form response or if you have something additional of importance to convey, you may also send a brief email.
Note: Be mindful of certain schools such as UVA that do not want any information after you are deferred
Some candidates choose to rewrite their supplemental essays and/or main essay. Although not all schools are receptive to this, some schools allow you to submit new versions of these on their portal or as a PDF attached to your email.
What should I write in a letter of continued interest (LOCI)?
The style should be formal, directly addressed to the admissions officer reading your profile (often available online with careful research or on the admissions portal). The tone should be positive and the length brief.
Email Subject should include something like <Full Name> Continued Interest, <Full Name> Update, etc.
Gracefully reiterate your interest in being considered for regular decision. If it is your top choice, assert this.
Show that you are continuing to advance your academic portfolio. You should give concrete information about what you have done to improve your admissibility
New SAT or ACT score (if applicable)
GPA, grade report, and/or class rigor (if equal or improved)
Another way you've challenged yourself and grown that can be directly applied to that particular school
Academic award, nomination, or contest
Publication you authored or collaborated on
Any other unique or special achievement and how you will leverage it at that particular school
One line about why you are a great fit for the school to conclude.
Sign your full name. Below your name, include your Common App ID number (CAID) and/or your college-specific ID number. You can also include your birthdate for further identification.