I Got Deferred or Rejected During Early Decision or Early Action. Can I Still Get into My Dream School? 

Last month we wrote to you about the happy news of early acceptances and now we are addressing what to do if you don’t get into your first choice school on the first try. 

Getting deferred or rejected is not the news you were hoping for in this early round, but most students are going to face some rejection during this process. You are not alone. Take a moment for yourself and feel what you need to feel: punch a pillow, dive into a pint of ice cream, cry a few tears– or all of the above! 

Second, decide what you want to do next.

What Are My Options after Deferral or Rejection from Early Decision?

• If  you were deferred or rejected from your Early Decision school, you are now released from your binding agreement. Once you get over your frustration and disappointment, you need to consider your strategy for moving forward.

• If you were rejected, then that decision is final for this application cycle. You may not re-apply there this year. 

• If you were deferred and are still interested in the ED school, read the deferral letter to learn what you can submit. New information is the most persuasive:

  • Can you send additional letters of recommendation? 

  • A letter of continuing interest? 

  • Updated grades and scores? 

If you move forward with more submissions, give them as much attention as you gave your original Early Decision application, and get them in as soon as possible, and certainly by any deadline the school sets. 

What if I Was Deferred or Rejected from Early Action?

As with Early Decision, if you are rejected, you may not reapply for this application cycle. If you are deferred from Early Action and still want to be considered for regular decision, find out what more you can do to supplement your application, if anything, and do it. See above. 

If I Want to Stay in the Regular Decision Round for my ED or EA School, When Will I Know If I Got In?

Your application will be considered during the regular decision period, so if you originally applied ED, you are no longer bound to attend if you are later admitted. You will then have your acceptance or rejection when all the other regular decision applicants receive theirs, typically sometime between February and April 1.

Should I Apply Early Decision Round 2?

If you want to have another go at Early Decision, many schools offer Early Decision Round 2. These schools include Vanderbilt, Tulane, the University of Chicago, and several others. 

Students usually apply Round 2 for the same reason as they applied during Round 1: at many schools the chances of getting in are much higher during these rounds because of yield considerations. If selectivity is your most important consideration, this is likely the path for you. To read more about yield, why colleges care about it, and how it can affect your college choice strategy, read my post here: https://www.ctkcollegecoach.com/college-admissions-blog/asking-for-more-money.

Can I Change my Regular/Early Action Application at a School to Early Decision Round 2? 

Sometimes students worry that changing their application status to ED 2 will indicate to the school that they have been rejected from their first choice. It might, but it really doesn’t matter. Schools are happy to consider you for early decision in any round to protect their yield numbers. 

Can I Apply Early Decision Round 2 if I Never Applied Anywhere Early Decision Round 1?

You can! If you decide at this juncture to pursue early decision, you can absolutely start now and meet the ED 2 deadline.