If a student has been deferred from a college during the early action application season, there will be specific ways that the particular university would ask that you let the know if you would like to stay on their list and be reviewed during the Regular Admissions application time.
The opportunity to show that you are still interested in being considered is a LOCI or Letter of Continued interest. This shares any updates to a student’s application and restates the value they would add to the campus community. Not all schools allow for this, so read your deferral carefully.
We understand that the college process can be grueling, especially if you put in the effort to apply Early Action and Early decision, which means you most likely applied before your first semester of senior year is finished. Showing you are ready to apply early looks good, but every year, a number of students apply to top schools like Harvard, NYU, and Duke, hoping the ED or EA designation will up their chances. In reality, the applicant pool tends to be even more competitive for students applying to highly selective schools.
A deferral is not a no. A deferral puts you into the pool of Regular Decision applicants. It also relieves an Early Decision applicant from their binding commitment. Make sure that you fully understand the different application types. If you have the opportunity to clearly offer more reasons the college should consider you as an applicant, the LOCI is a great vehicle for this.
The LOCI should be short and to the point. It should remind the admissions office that you are still interested in the college and that is it your first choice. Like college essays, these letters should capture the student’s voice and personality, so students should embrace their quirkiness and uniqueness when writing. Point out any new accolades, updated GPA, and activities you may have done since applying back in the Fall.
Schools want to know that if you are offered an acceptance, there is a good chance that your answer will be YES. It protects their “stats”, in particular, their YEILD. So, it’s GAME ON and you must continue to play if you are truly interested in attending a school that sent you a deferral. Remember, some schools do not allow for a letter or additional information, and simply ask you to check a box stating that you are still interested. For these schools, your mid-year transcript will be key, so be sure your guidance office sends that. If they do not ask for a LOCI- do not send one. Following directions is another key part of “adulting” that students learn through this process.
And when to send it? Wait a week or so to bring down your level of anxiety or stress about the deferral and then send it. In the regular round, the decisions are accepted, denied or waitlist. It is good to know the difference.