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 wondering what your next steps are.
A deferred decision means that the admissions committee is excited about your application and would like to evaluate it in the context of the larger Regular Decision pool. A deferral gives you another opportunity to strengthen your application. While we know that a deferral is probably not the news you were hoping for, it is important to keep in mind that a deferral is not the end of the admissions process. We only defer a student if we feel that they may be competitive later in the process.
Here are our top six tips for deferred applicants:
1. Do not rush to reply.
Step back, breathe, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy the holiday season. Do not rush to immediately submit updates after receiving your decision.
A deferral means that you already put forward a strong application. Take a moment to truly reflect on why you would like to attend Notre Dame. Give yourself the space to authentically discern what calls you to join the Notre Dame community before you send any updates or new materials.
2. Upload an intentional and authentic letter of continued 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. 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.
When your letter is ready, upload it directly into your application via your applicant portal. No need to email—the system highlights new materials for the admissions committee when they are submitted.
3. Send your first semester grades.
The next most important update you can send is your first semester grades from senior year. Many high school counselors will do this automatically, but check with your counselor to confirm that your grades are sent.
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 new extracurricular accomplishments or awards.
Through your applicant status portal, you should update us on any significant extracurricular accomplishments or awards that you receive after you submitted your Restrictive Early Action application. This may include things like a new leadership role, recognition after a sports season ends, or a service impact award. We want to see how you have continued to be a pillar of the communities of which you are a part.
Be sure to upload additional materials via your applicant status portal. This will ensure that updates appear immediately in your application (they are flagged as new materials for us on our end). Ideally, updates are compiled into one document for review.
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 update 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! Trust that you are on the right path for you and that you have put your best foot forward.
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, 2026.
Reach out if you have any additional questions. We are always happy to help!
Kayla Seepersad is an admissions counselor with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.