Guidance for Students Deferred by Stanford University
Getting into Stanford is a dream for many students, but it's no easy feat. The university's acceptance rate is consistently low, and this year, it reached an all-time low of 3.95%. While Stanford doesn't publish its deferral rate, the university states that it only defers a small percentage of Restrictive Early Action applications to Regular Decision. Therefore, if you've been deferred by Stanford, it's time to get to work.
One thing you can do as a deferred applicant is to submit an update letter or letter of continued interest. Stanford allows deferred applicants to update their applications through the Stanford application portal. However, it's important to keep the update letter clear, concise, specific, and limited to one page. Admissions officers are inundated with information, so you need to make sure that your update stands out from the rest. You don't need to reiterate things they already know. Instead, focus on pointing out specific changes in your life that would make you a stronger candidate for admission. You can seek help to ensure that your update letter meets these requirements.
Another crucial step for deferred applicants is to give their college list a second look. Stanford is not a guarantee for anyone, so if you were betting on getting in early, you simply placed a bad bet. It's time to re-evaluate your options and make sure that you have a healthy mix of reach, target, and safety schools that you would be happy attending. There is no point in applying to a school if you wouldn't be willing to attend.
Applying to Stanford is a bold choice that shows that you believe in yourself, you're a risk-taker, and you're not afraid of working hard. Now is the time to double down and show your commitment. You can get your grades a little bit higher, take on a significant leadership role in an academic or extracurricular activity, or do something else to boost your resume. Stanford is looking for students who go the extra mile, so showing that you've improved your application will make a difference.
