After carefully refining their applications and hitting “submit” during the early admission rounds, many students opened their portals this week only to face the dreaded word: postponed.
Though this news can be disheartening, it does provide another chance for students to gain admission in the regular decision round. The waiting can feel relentless, but there are constructive steps that can improve their chances of success.
For students receiving deferrals, the approach often remains the same. Draft a Letter of Continuing Interest (LOCI) and send it promptly after receiving the news.
That said, while the LOCI is essential post-deferral, there’s a reality that many students and families might not realize. At some top universities, just sending a LOCI isn’t sufficient to ensure a positive outcome.
With elite institutions putting weight on demonstrated interest, a letter expressing this is a basic way to show enthusiasm for the school. Admissions officers typically expect at least one such letter signaling a strong desire to enroll. For applicants to these institutions, the LOCI shouldn’t be seen as a standalone strategy; it’s merely the first move in a broader, multi-step effort to illustrate genuine interest.
If you’re navigating this process, here’s what you should know to craft an effective post-deferral game plan.
Which top schools will factor in your demonstrated interest?
It’s important to note that not all prestigious universities take expressed interest into account, so students need to tailor their post-deferral strategies accordingly.
For instance, all Ivy League schools except Dartmouth typically do not consider evidence of interest. Attempting to go beyond a straightforward LOCI in these cases might even hinder a student’s chances.
Yale’s admissions blog explicitly advises against sending anything other than a LOCI post-deferral, stating that “We don’t recommend sending mass updates to admissions officers after deferrals.” Over-communication can be seen as pushy and disrespectful of the admissions staff’s time, which might create a negative impression.
Conversely, some leading universities do value demonstrated interest. These include the University of Michigan, Barnard College, Babson College, Tulane University, Duke University, Northeastern University, Northwestern University, and New York University.
For these schools, admissions teams want to see continued engagement from students even after initial applications have been reviewed.
How to effectively show interest after a deferral
Demonstrating interest doesn’t mean inundating admissions teams with daily emails or pleading for admission. Rather, it calls for clear communication in writing. A thoughtful LOCI allows students to convey specific reasons for wanting to attend, share meaningful updates, and affirm their commitment to enroll if accepted. But words alone aren’t enough; actions count as well.
At the fundamental level, this includes signing up for newsletters and engaging with the content. A solid post-deferral strategy also encourages personal connections, such as reaching out to local admissions representatives, attending information sessions, networking with local alumni, and visiting campuses when feasible.
One student who aimed for Tulane felt the sting of deferral. Shortly after, they reached out to previous contacts made during their campus visit, expressing continued excitement about the school and personally requesting a spot in an admissions webinar. They engaged in various sessions, took notes on the program, and asked thoughtful questions—all without overwhelming the admissions office. This approach reflected genuine investment in the school and ultimately led to satisfactory results.
Another student deferred from NYU developed a strategy that included a campus visit. They seized every chance to interact with students, faculty, and admissions staff, showcasing their enthusiasm. They decided to wait until after the visit to send the LOCI, allowing them to incorporate personal insights from their time on campus. This approach successfully transitioned them from the deferral list to the acceptance list.
The most significant misstep deferred students make is assuming that a standard LOCI will work equally well everywhere—this misconception can be very misleading. A one-size-fits-all approach is rarely effective.
Success in regular admissions for deferred students hinges on tailoring strategies to each school’s policies. Whether deferred from a preferred institution or one that seemed like a perfect fit, understanding each school’s stance on expressed interest can significantly shape a winning approach for every application on the family’s list.
Students who take time to understand what each school values and actively seek ways to engage with admissions officers about their fit will be in the best possible position as regular decision season unfolds.
