<p>You were deferred. So for heaven’s sake, don’t call them up and give them a hard time. Or you will be dumped immediately to the rejected list. Hard to say what caused the deferral… it could be that they somehow got the impression that they were your safety, as it appears that your standarized test scores are all above their 50% level. </p>
<p>Regarding the essays… if those “people” that read them were other students (not adults), that could be a problem area. You don’t say, but just suggesting it as another possibility. Also, what is your unweighted GPA? That could be a factor (one you can’t fix at all).</p>
<p>Other possibilities – do they know it is your father’s firm you worked for? Honestly, that can be a drawback… colleges really like to see students show their own initiative in finding lab or internship opportunities. So if that comes out in the app, it may cause them to discount that experience somewhat.</p>
<p>Finally… there is no telling what was in your recommendations. If there was something really damning in there (even in a backhand way), they probably would have just rejected you. So I am guessing it was not that. But maybe they are not truly glowing (or have a lot of typos or something) – I always think the recommendation thing is a bit of a crap shoot in that regard, one it is hard to control. You may be a great student, but not all teachers can really communicate that too well. And sometimes schools will call your guidance counselor to discuss your application. Usually the school is either trying to “read between the lines” on something in the app and want more info, and/or they want to know where they stand in your order of preference. This also is sort of a crapshoot… I worry that the GC could make a mistake in this kind of discussion; it is sort of a game of telephone where they might not have all of your information/priorities completely understood.</p>
<p>Maybe just an accumulation of things (test score wise they look like a safety, your unweighted GPA may not match up too well, they feel like you might have gotten a leg up on your work experience from who your parents are). So they deferred you.</p>
<p>I can only say that if you still want to get in, show them more love. Do NOT call and question their decision. If you have any new accomplishments between now and say, late February, send that information along with a note (email to your admissions rep is okay) saying that you are really interested in GT, and wanted to make sure they knew this new, great thing you have done, and that you are hoping very much for acceptance in the regular pool. Also tell your school guidance counselor that you really want to go there, and are still hoping for the ED acceptance. IF it is your first choice and you truly will go if accepted, then say that to the school and your GC. But don’t say it if it isn’t true (although honestly I think they are listening for that information…)</p>