A deferral or denial in the early application cycle may seem like a dead end—but in reality, it is a critical opportunity to reevaluate and strategize. One of the most significant benefits of applying early is the time it affords you after receiving your December decision to make necessary adjustments to your other applications before the Regular Decision (RD) and Early Decision II (EDII) deadlines. Bear in mind that a deferral or denial at an Ivy League or other top institution does not necessarily mean that something was wrong with your application—every admissions cycle, thousands of applicants with top grades and test scores and compelling admissions profiles face the sting of rejection due to the intense competition at these institutions. Further, a deferral is a common outcome in the early admissions round at competitive colleges; for instance, Harvard deferred 83.06% of early applicants to the Class of 2028. This is largely due to the fact that early applicants can only be weighed against the small pool of other early applicants, and admissions officers want to consider deferred applicants against the wider pool of RD applications.
At the same time, this does not mean that there is nothing to learn from a deferral or rejection—there is a reason that your application didn’t immediately catch admissions officers’ eyes. While competition is steep and much of the process is outside of your control, you should take this opportunity to reassess your materials and consider whether you are making the common mistakes that prevent applications from making an impact.
Here are three common application mistakes to spot and fix before submitting your RD and EDII applications:
1. Prioritizing prestige over best fit
Given the higher EA and ED rates at Ivy League schools, many students hedge their bets at the top schools in the nation during the early round, hoping to boast an Ivy League college on their resume. However, applying early to Harvard simply because it might elevate your odds of admission without considering your strengths, academic and professional goals, and alignment with the university’s mission actually decreases your chances of acceptance. When approaching their RD and EDII applications, students should consider what specific programs are the strongest in their field of interest, what type of campus they would thrive on, and where their test scores and grades align with median acceptance rates. When it comes to their RD schools, students should have a balanced list of 2-3 safety schools (those where their scores and grades are above the median scores of accepted students), 4-5 reaches (those where their scores and grades are below the median scores of accepted students), and 4-5 matches (those where their scores align with the median scores of accepted students). Rather than throwing a Hail Mary at the highest reach school on their list, they should consider whether there is a school on their list (whether a reach or match) that they feel completely confident they want to attend. Applying EDII to that school can be a strategic decision.
2. Failing to demonstrate interest.
You may have extensively researched the schools to which you are applying—you know what clubs you want to participate in, which dorm you hope to live in, and the professors you want to learn from. But if that research is not reflected on your applications, you are at a significant disadvantage in the admissions process. Your application should convey both extensive research into an institution and its unique offerings, as well as genuine enthusiasm for attending the school. Revisit your supplemental essays before the deadline to ensure that they demonstrate why specific aspects of a school’s offerings resonate with your personality, interests, and goals. For instance, if you’re passionate about environmental science, highlight the college’s sustainability programs, state-of-the-art research facilities, faculty research, or grassroots student organizations that align with your interests. Admissions officers want to see that you’ve done your homework and genuinely care about what their institution offers. Finally, if you have been deferred, you can further show demonstrated interest through a Letter of Continued Interest.
3. Telling an inconsistent narrative.
One of the most common mistakes that students make on college applications is failing to tell a compelling and cohesive narrative. Admissions officers read thousands of applications each cycle, which means that an application that lists an array of unrelated activities and interests will likely blend into the crowd. A standout application will tell an eye-catching story through all submitted materials, from the activities list to the transcript, letters of recommendation, supplemental essays, and personal statement.
This does not mean that you can’t enjoy literature if you’re pursuing STEM or that you can’t discuss your birdwatching hobby if you’re applying to business school. On the contrary, these unique, eclectic interests can add depth and personality to your application. Instead, you should find ways to integrate these diverse interests and engagements within a compelling and cohesive application narrative. If you are interested in data science and English literature, perhaps you highlight the university’s digital humanities lab, where you could bring these interdisciplinary passions together. Or, when you discuss your passion for gardening in your personal statement, you tie it to your pursuit of medicine through your research on healing tinctures. In other words, you should show the admissions committee that you are a dynamic thinker and a balanced person while making clear how all of these different attributes contribute to your candidacy in a unified way.
The college admissions process is daunting, but it’s also an opportunity to reflect on your achievements and aspirations. With Regular Decision and EDII deadlines fast approaching, now is the time to refine your application and make every component count. Whether you’ve been deferred, denied, or are submitting your first round of applications, rectifying these mistakes can make a world of difference in your collegiate journey.
Originally Published on Forbes.
