One of the most frustrating experiences for a student is receiving a deferral to a college or university.

A deferral means that your application has not been accepted or rejected outright, but instead it has been set aside for further consideration at a later time. While it’s not necessarily a rejection, it does mean that you haven’t secured your admission to the school.

Getting deferred is something that can happen for a variety of reasons, but by taking certain steps and being proactive, there’s a good chance that you can avoid this situation altogether.

In this article, we’ll explore some common reasons for deferral and discuss how to avoid them.

Reasons for deferral

When a college or university defers a student’s application, there are several reasons why they might do so. Here are some of the most common:.

1. Weak grades

One of the primary reasons a student might be deferred is because they have weak grades that do not meet the school’s admission requirements.

If this is the case, there’s a good chance that the student will need to retake some courses or work to improve their GPA before they can be considered again.

2. Lack of extracurricular activities

If a student hasn’t participated in many extracurricular activities or if they haven’t shown a lot of leadership potential, this can be a red flag for admissions officers.

They want to see that students are well-rounded and have interests beyond just academics.

3. Incomplete application

Another reason a student might be deferred is if their application is incomplete. Admissions officers need to have all the necessary information in order to make an informed decision about whether or not to admit a student to their school.

Students should make sure to submit all requested materials in a timely manner.

4. Too much competition

In some cases, a school might receive an unusually high number of applications, which can make it more difficult for students to stand out.

Even if a student has strong grades and extracurricular activities, they might still be deferred because the school simply has too many qualified candidates to choose from.

How to avoid deferral

There are several steps students can take to avoid being deferred. Here are some of the most important:.

1. Work on your grades

The most important thing you can do to avoid deferral is to work on improving your grades.

This means not only making sure that you’re earning good grades in your classes, but also taking extra classes or working with a tutor if necessary to bring up your GPA.

2. Get involved in extracurricular activities

Colleges and universities want to see that you’re more than just a good student. They want to see that you have interests outside of academics and that you’re involved in your community.

Joining clubs, volunteering, and participating in sports or other activities can all help demonstrate your well-roundedness.

3. Submit a complete application

Make sure that you submit a complete application that includes all necessary materials. This means double-checking that you’ve included all transcripts, test scores, essays, and anything else that the school requires.

4. Apply to a range of schools

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. While it’s important to have a dream school, it’s also important to apply to several other schools as well.

This increases your chances of being accepted somewhere and can help reduce the disappointment of a deferral.

Conclusion

Getting deferred can be discouraging, but it’s not the end of the road.

By taking steps to improve your grades, get involved in extracurricular activities, and submit a complete application, you can increase your chances of being accepted to your top choice college or university.