Deferred or Rejected? What Comes Next for Your Teen

If your child applied early action or early decision this cycle, decisions are starting to land.
Some families are celebrating acceptances. Others are sitting with deferrals or rejections and asking a very real question:

What do we do now?

First, let’s get something straight.

📌 A school rejected an application. They did not reject your child.

Selective admissions are exactly that. Selective. Especially at top-tier institutions. Deferrals and rejections are common, even for strong students, and they are not a reflection of your child’s worth, potential, or future success.

What matters most right now is not panic.
It’s being proactive and strategic.

Step One: Reassess the School List Honestly

One of the first things every family needs to do after a deferral or rejection is take a hard look at the college list.

🎓 Did we aim too high across the board?
🎓 Did we include enough realistic targets?
🎓 Do we have true academic and financial safeties?

This is not about blame. It’s about adjustment.

College admissions is not static. Your strategy should not be either.

If your child applied primarily to highly selective schools, a deferral may be a signal that the list needs more balance before regular decision deadlines.

Step Two: Deferred? A Letter of Continued Interest Matters

If your child was deferred, the follow-up is critical.

📄 Many schools allow or require a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
📄 Others offer an upload option in the applicant portal
📄 This is where students reaffirm interest and share meaningful updates

A strong letter of continued interest is not a formality. It is an opportunity to:

💡 Reaffirm sincere interest in the school
💡 Share academic progress or new achievements
💡 Clarify why the school remains a top choice

This letter should be thoughtful, specific, and strategic. Not generic. Not emotional. Not rushed.

Step Three: Redefine What Success Looks Like

This process is often called an emotional roller coaster for a reason.

Parents and students need to pause and redefine success.

🧭 One school does not define success
🧭 Two or three rejections do not define success
🧭 Prestige alone does not define success

Success is finding a school where your child can thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and financially.

There are thousands of colleges. Many excellent ones. And many that will value your child for who they are and what they bring to campus.

When families redefine success, the process becomes healthier and far more productive.

Why a College Application Review Session Matters Right Now

At this stage, guesswork is risky.

A College Application Review Session allows us to:

📌 Review the current school list
📌 Identify gaps or weaknesses in strategy
📌 Assess competitiveness realistically
📌 Build a smarter plan for regular decision or transfer

Every student’s situation is different. That’s why one-size-fits-all advice does not work here.

If your child is Class of 2026 and facing deferrals or rejections, now is the time to reassess with clarity and expert guidance.

👉 Schedule a College Application Review Session with Strategic Admissions Advice.
This is where strategy replaces stress.