Receiving a "deferral" from a college during the Early Action or Early Decision round does not necessarily "hurt" your chances, but it does change the statistical landscape of your application. A deferral essentially means the admissions office has moved your application into the Regular Decision pool to be compared against a larger and more diverse group of applicants. While it is not an outright rejection, the acceptance rate for deferred students is typically lower than it was during the early round, simply because the sheer volume of applicants increases in the spring. In 2026, a deferral is often a sign that you are a competitive candidate, but the university wants to see your mid-year grades or more context from the full applicant pool before making a final decision. To improve your chances after a deferral, you should send a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI), update the school on any new achievements, and ensure your senior year grades remain strong. Many students who are deferred go on to be accepted in the regular round, though it is wise to focus on your other applications while waiting for the final verdict in late March or early April.