Deferred from Harvard Early Action? This guide explains what a Harvard deferral means, how many deferred students Harvard typically admits, and what you can do to improve your chances in Regular Decision. We break down the available admissions data, including Harvard REA deferral statistics, estimated deferred acceptance rates, and how to write a strong Harvard Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI).

Updated for Harvard REA deferrals, Class of 2030.

What to Do If You Were Deferred from Harvard Early Action

If you were deferred from Harvard Early Action, your application will automatically be reconsidered in the Regular Decision round unless you choose to withdraw. Beyond submitting your midyear grades, there is nothing required to remain under consideration. However, if you are serious about improving your chances of admission, there are strategic steps you can take to strengthen your candidacy during the Regular Decision review.

Harvard Early Action Outcomes Explained

If you applied Early Action to Harvard there are three possible outcomes: admitted, deferred or rejected. Applicants who are deferred are automatically moved to the Regular Decision pool for further consideration.

Harvard Early Action Acceptance Rate and Selectivity

The most recent Harvard EA acceptance rate is 8.74%, based on data from the Class of 2028. Harvard has not yet released Early Action acceptance rates for the Class of 2029 or Class of 2030.

Harvard Acceptance Rate

For the Class of 2028, Harvard’s overall acceptance rate was 3.58%. This figure represents Harvard’s admit rate across all rounds (Early Action and Regular Decision).

Harvard Early Action Deferral Rate

The most recent Harvard EA Deferral Rate is 83.06%. This data comes from the Class of 2028. Harvard's Early Action Deferral Rate for the Class of 2029 and Class of 2030 has not been released yet. Harvard’s high deferral rate reflects its strategy of giving strong early applicants a full second review rather than making a final decision in December.

What Is Harvard’s Deferred Acceptance Rate?

Harvard does not release an official “deferred acceptance rate,” so it isn’t possible to calculate precise odds of admission. What we do know is that Harvard does admit some deferred students each year in the Regular Decision round, though the exact number varies.

Some of Harvard’s peers are more transparent about deferred outcomes. For the Class of 2029, MIT reported that 175 Early Action applicants who were deferred were later admitted in Regular Decision. UPenn has reported a deferred acceptance rate of approximately 9.5% for the Class of 2026, and Georgetown admissions has stated that about 15% of candidates deferred from Early Action are admitted during the spring review. Dartmouth reports that 5 to 10 percent of candidates deferred from in Early Decision are typically admitted.

While Harvard does not publish comparable data, most experts estimate that Harvard’s deferred acceptance rate generally falls somewhere between 5–15% depending on the year.

What Does a Harvard Deferral Mean?

Harvard explains: “Competition for early admission to Harvard College has, in recent years, been especially rigorous. Given that more than 60,000 candidates apply from around the world, and the relatively modest size of each entering class (about 1,650 students), the Admissions Committee must act with great care in making Restrictive Early Action decisions. As a result, many strong applicants are deferred to the Regular Decision round for review.”

A Harvard REA deferral means your application is still under active consideration, the committee wants to evaluate you in the context of the full Regular Decision pool, and senior-year grades or new updates may factor into the final decision.

Next Steps After a Harvard EA Deferral

After a Harvard deferral, your goal is to show sustained interest, academic strength, and meaningful growth since October.

1. Submit a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
   Reaffirm your genuine interest in Harvard and share new, relevant updates since you applied.
2. Submit Your Midyear Report
   Your midyear transcript is important. Strong, consistent grades help reinforce your academic readiness in the Regular Decision round. Harvard expects this report no later than February 1.
3. Consider an Additional Letter of Recommendation
   Harvard’s guidance is clear: only submit additional materials if they add genuinely new information that is not already in your file. An extra letter of recommendation should come only from someone who can offer fresh insight, such as a new teacher, research mentor, advisor, or someone who can speak to a significant development since October. Do not submit an additional letter simply for the sake of submitting one. If the recommendation letters already included in your application effectively tell your story, adding another may detract rather than provide meaningful value.

How to Write a Harvard LOCI

1. Reiterate Your Strong Interest in Harvard
   If Harvard remains your first choice, say so clearly. A thoughtful Harvard Letter of Continued Interest shows genuine enthusiasm and commitment.
2. Share Significant Updates
   Include meaningful new information that strengthens your candidacy, such as major awards, new research or publication progress, or leadership roles that have expanded since you applied.

Strategize Remaining Applications

‍Although you cannot change your Harvard materials (aside from updates through the portal), you can improve your applications for other schools. A deferral gives you time to refine your overall strategy before January deadlines.

• Refine Your Application Narrative (and if you don't feel like you have a strong narrative, check out this blog article!)
• Revisit Your Personal Statement
• Strengthen School-Specific Supplementals
• Update Your Activities List
• Confirm That Your College List is Balanced

Does a Harvard Deferral Mean Rejection?

A Harvard deferral is not a rejection; it’s an invitation to stay in the process. Students often ask me, “Is it bad to be deferred from Harvard?” The answer is no. Completing a college application represents years of hard work, and the fact that the admissions committee reviewed your file and chose to continue evaluating your candidacy is a positive sign. Many students who are deferred eventually succeed in the Harvard Regular Decision round or gain admission at other top-tier schools.

I like to share this quote from a past student to just offer some perspective:

“If I hadn’t been deferred in the early round, I wouldn’t have realized how much my application needed improvement. I made changes and ended up getting into all of my top schools during regular decision. It was a blessing in disguise.”

Summary: Key Takeaways About Harvard Deferrals

• Harvard’s REA deferral rate is high (over 80%).
• Most experts estimate that 5–15% of deferred students are later admitted.
• A strong LOCI, excellent midyear grades, and meaningful updates can strengthen your file in Regular Decision.
• A deferral is not a rejection — many students who are deferred are later admitted to Harvard or other top-tier universities.

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How We Can Help

• A detailed review of your Early application to identify any red flags or weaknesses that may have contributed to your deferral
• Guidance on refining your narrative and overall admissions strategy for Regular Decision or ED II
• Personalized advice on crafting an effective Letter of Continued Interest
• Actionable steps to improve your chances of turning a deferral into an acceptance this spring

If you want support with your Harvard LOCI or your Regular Decision applications, reach out.

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This article was updated in December 2025 for the 2025-2026 Admissions Cycle.