@BertieMom - that is frustrating. I am actually surprised MIT deferred her. I remember reading specifically that MIT wants to see that a student has actually tried something hard and struggled and recovered because then they know they will persevere once at MIT. They worry more about kids who have never run into any challenge because what will happen when they do? I hope she can advocate for herself and explain the situation. As a parent of a child with a similar situation (although he didn’t even get deferred from his ED school) - my son’s course load sounds very similar, I am rooting for those types of kids because I know they have really worked hard and pushed themselves. I just hope the adcoms give that situation strong consideration. Good luck!