Early Decision vs. Early Action vs. Regular

Cinnamoon
Tue, 15 Mar 2011 21:56:54 +0000

Being deferred occurs during early action. Essentially, the college tells you that you aren’t a good enough applicant to get in early, but you have a chance in the regular pool. If you are deferred, your application usually goes into the regular pool, you don’t have to do anything, and it’s just like you’re applying regular. Waitlisting occurs during regular decision, and means that you will only get to go to the school if a place opens up for you. Waitlisted applicants are often ranked in order of the school’s preference, and they will draw off the waitlist if a spot opens up, and only if a spot opens up.

To sum up: Deferring happens during EA, and gives you another chance at application. Waitlisting happens during RD, and means that you will only get to go if a spot opens.