Understanding Cornell’s Deferral Statistics
If you have been deferred by Cornell, it's natural to feel disheartened and wonder what your next steps should be. Although Cornell doesn't publish admissions data anymore, we can look at their 2019 data to get a sense of the situation. In 2019, Cornell's early acceptance rate was 23.8%, and over a third of the accepted students were recruited athletes or legacies. However, the most important statistic is that only 21.7% of early applicants were deferred, which means that Cornell is considering admitting you and just needs more time.
After being deferred by any school, the first step is to decide whether to send an update letter or letter of continued interest. Some schools invite them or even ask for them, making the choice easy. However, Cornell doesn't include information on update letters or submitting additional information post-deferral on their admissions website, which suggests that sending an unsolicited update letter may not be well-received. When a school doesn't invite update letters, it's best not to send one. Instead, focus on things that can increase your chances of admission in the regular admission cycle.
One of the most important things you can do is to keep working hard. Don't let your grades slip and ideally find a way to improve them. Since the only update Cornell will receive on your application is your mid-year grade report, there's no need to add items to your resume unless they're already in the works or a natural extension of existing activities that will improve your application for other schools you haven't yet submitted to.
You should also give your college list a hard look as you prepare to submit your regular decision college applications. Being deferred from Cornell doesn't mean you aren't qualified to attend a top-tier college, but it's a data point that you shouldn't ignore. Ultimately, you want to attend the best college that you would be happy at, so reassess your list and broaden your options. Ivy League and other 'brand name' schools are great, but they aren't the only places where you can get a top-tier education and have a great college experience.
Finally, it's important to take a moment for yourself. This process is tough, and it's unlikely to get easier until after regular decision letters go out. Accept that this is a stressful time and lean into ways to alleviate some of that pressure, even if only for a moment. Take a walk, read a book, or watch your favorite show. It's amazing how even small things can take the edge off a rough day.
In conclusion, being deferred by Cornell doesn't mean that you won't be admitted. Keep working hard, reassess your college list, and take care of yourself during this stressful time. Remember that there are many great colleges out there, and you'll find the right one for you.
