Notre Dame Admissions recently released Restrictive Early Action decisions with three possible outcomes for applicants: admit, deny, or defer. If you received a deferred decision, you may be asking “What does this mean for me?” and “What do I need to do?”
Quite simply, a deferred decision means that the admissions committee is not ready to make a final decision on your application yet, and we want to evaluate it within the context of the larger Regular Decision pool. Deferring your decision until March gives our staff the opportunity to read your application again, once we have a better understanding of what our entire applicant pool looks like for the year.
We know that this was likely not the news you were hoping for, but it’s important to keep in mind that a deferral is not the end of the admissions process! We are conscientious and selective about which students we choose to defer, and only offer deferral to a student we feel may be competitive later in the process.
So, what now?
You essentially have another opportunity to strengthen, update, and fine-tune your application for another review by the admissions team.
Here are a few things you can do to ensure that your application is as strong and up-to-date as possible.
Here are our top six tips for deferred applicants:
1. Take a deep breath!
Now, this may seem trivial, but we promise it is worth your time to just take a minute (or two) to step back. There is truly no rush to be the first student to update us right after decisions are released!
Take a moment to recognize that this deferral means both that you put forward a strong application, and that you have been provided a moment to truly reflect on why you would like to attend Notre Dame. We often find that students who take some time to reflect on the question of “why Notre Dame” tend to allow themselves space for continued discernment.
2. Upload an intentional and authentic letter of interest to your applicant status portal.
If Notre Dame is truly your first choice, write a letter of desire explaining why you believe Notre Dame is the best school for you. This letter is a great opportunity to tell the admissions committee more about yourself and to explain why you would love to attend Notre Dame.
Be sure to include what you hope to bring to the Notre Dame community. As we look to extend invitations to students to join our Notre Dame community, we want to know why it's a community you want to be a part of, and how you will contribute to it during your four years here. Take some time with this reflection as well, rather than submitting and updating right away after you find out your decision.
You should upload this letter directly to your applicant status portal, where the admissions committee will be able to review it (no need to email it).
3. Send your first semester grades.
The next most important update you can send is your first semester grades from your senior year. Many high school counselors will do this automatically but if not, be sure to ask for your grades to be sent to us.
We want to see that you are maintaining your strong academic performance throughout your senior year, especially if you are taking high-level, rigorous courses. These are also required for all Regular Decision applicants.
4. Include notable extracurricular accomplishments or awards.
Through your applicant status portal, you should update us on any significant extracurricular accomplishments or awards that you receive after the Restrictive Early Action decision release. This may include things like a new leadership role, recognition after a sports season ends, or a service impact award. We want to see any ways in which you have continued to be a pillar of the communities of which you are a part.
Again, the best way to send updates is to upload additional materials via your applicant status portal, instead of via email. This will ensure that updates appear immediately in your application (they are flagged as new materials for us on our end). You do not need to send numerous updates—a compiled list is ideal.
5. Do NOT send additional letters of recommendation.
We do not encourage additional letters of recommendation beyond those submitted with your original application. We will review additional letters submitted on your behalf, but this is usually not the best way to strengthen your application. The most important voice we hope to hear from in your deferral updates is your own.
6. Be patient.
We know that this can be a stressful process and that waiting can often be the hardest part. You have been eagerly awaiting your college decisions, and if you were deferred, you don’t have the clarity or finality you were probably hoping for right now. You will hear from us in mid- to late March when we release our Regular Decision notifications.
Our best advice is to relax and focus on the things that bring you joy. You only get to experience this period in your life once—so enjoy your senior year as much as possible!
One of my favorite book quotes I find comfort in when I feel particularly impatient or uncertain about the future, comes from Hagrid in Harry Potter: “What's comin' will come, and we'll meet it when it does.” When it’s all said and done, you will land exactly where you need to be.
Submitting Updates:
We will review all documents uploaded directly to your applicant status portal as part of our process. Please submit any Defer Updates for our consideration by February 1, 2025.
Reach out if you have any additional questions. We are always happy to help!
Montanna Kirven is an assistant director with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
She is the regional counselor for:
- Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York (Westchester County, St. Lawrence Valley and Adirondacks), Rhode Island
- Belarus, Russia, Poland, Ukraine