Deferral
dih-FER-ul
/dɪˈfɜːrəl/
The act of postponing or delaying something, especially the consideration of an early application to a later decision round.
In college admissions, it specifically refers to an early applicant (Early Decision/Early Action) whose application is not accepted or rejected immediately but is postponed for reconsideration with the regular decision pool. It's not a waitlist.
The story behind the word. 'Deferral' comes from the Latin verb differre, meaning 'to carry apart' or 'to postpone.' It's a combination of dis- ('apart') and ferre ('to carry, bear'). In the context of college admissions, a deferral means your application is literally 'carried apart' from the early decision group and 'postponed' for consideration with the regular pool.
Word relationships
- Postponement: general term for delaying an event
- Delay: general term for making something late
- Expedition: speeding up a process
- Acceleration: increasing the rate of something
Commonly confused with
- Waitlist: 'Deferral' means your early application is moved to the regular pool for reconsideration; 'waitlist' means you're qualified but there's no space, and you might get in if space opens up.
Word family
- Defer (verb): to put off to a later time; to yield to another's opinion
- Deferred (adjective): postponed or put off
Collocations
- early action deferral
- deferral decision
- receive a deferral
- defer an application
Example sentences
- "His early action application resulted in a deferral, meaning he'd be reconsidered in the spring." Outcome of an early application.
- "The admissions office issued a deferral to many strong applicants, hoping to compare them with the larger regular pool." Institutional action.
- "A deferral can be disappointing, but it's not a rejection; it's an opportunity to strengthen your application." Perspective on deferral.
Memory hook
A DEFERRAL means your decision is DEFERRED to a later date. Defer the decision.
When not to use
Don't use 'deferral' for a simple delay or postponement of any event. It has a specific meaning in admissions.
Fun facts
- Some students intentionally apply Early Action to a 'reach' school, knowing a deferral is likely but hoping for a second chance.
- A deferral often prompts students to send updated grades or a letter of continued interest.
Related words
Also appears in
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