Deferred Applicants

The most important next step for all deferred applicants is to apply to other schools. Though it may seem like an obvious suggestion, your chance for admission to Emory University is not guaranteed, and you want to have options.

Statistically, most deferred applicants will not be offered admission at Regular Decision because of the strong competition and selective review. That being said, all deferred applicants will be holistically reviewed and provided a fair shot for admission in Regular Decision.

There is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage for deferred students, just a second opportunity. 

We do not defer many applicants from our ED pool. If we know a student does not have a chance for admission, we deny them at the ED stage.

The most important next step for all deferred applicants is to apply to other schools. Though it may seem like an obvious suggestion, your chance for admission to Emory University is not guaranteed, and you want to have options.

You may also:

• Update the academic portion of your application. Submit your first semester senior year grades when they are available. Also, if you make any changes to your senior year schedule, let us know.
  Your guidance counselor may choose to provide additional comments when submitting your updated senior year grades. You can upload many materials yourself through your Emory applicant portal.
• Consider updating the non-academic section of your application. If you have expanded your extracurricular involvement, gotten a job, or taken on more responsibilities in your community, an updated list of extracurriculars can help. You can upload these materials yourself through your Emory applicant portal.
• Write a letter to the Admission Committee. This is not something all deferred applicants need to do or even should do, but some of you may consider writing a personal letter stressing your continued interest in Emory University and why you feel you are a compelling candidate for admission. You can upload this as a "Supplemental Material" through your Emory applicant portal.

• Emory is test-optional this year. But if you have taken a standardized test recently, you can choose to submit self-reported test scores (SAT, ACT, TOEFL, AP, etc).
• Updates to your essay, application, or activities.
• Any supplemental materials (letter of continued interest, resume, portfolio, etc.)

• Your name as it appears on your application.
• Your date of birth.
• Your application ID #.

Yes. Please, do not ask to meet with a member of the Admission Committee. Instead, update your application following the above suggestions.

Emory University does not track demonstrated interest, so repeatedly contacting admission staff will not increase your chances of admission. 

Finally, please do not inquire as to why you were deferred. We do not discuss individual applicant cases or the reasons behind our admission decisions for any applicants, regardless of admission decision.