BackWhen You Are Deferred or Waitlisted
After receiving your admissions decision, the terminology can be confusing. We are here to help!
Different Application Options: Early Action (EA) vs. Regular Decision (RD)
The University of Florida provides two application options, or timelines, for students to choose: Early Action (EA) or Regular Decision (RD). Each of these paths provide different decision notifications, listed in our Dates & Deadlines chart. If a student applies in EA, they will receive an admissions decision of either admit, deny, or defer. All EA decisions for admits are non-binding. If a student applies in RD, they will receive an admissions decision of either admit, waitlist, other pathways (Innovation Academy, PaCE, Partnership programs), or deny.
Note: At the University of Florida, the terms defer and waitlist are different and we do not use them interchangeably.
What does defer mean?
If your EA admissions decision was deferred, you are still being considered for admission and we do not require you to submit any additional information in support of your application. Your application will be reviewed with the RD applicants and you will receive an updated decision on the RD Decision Release date. See our Dates & Deadlines for the RD timeline.
What does waitlist mean?
Prospective students will be notified if they were waitlisted on the RD and/or Extended Deadline Decision Release dates. If you were placed on our waitlist, you may be offered admission should space become available. Updated decisions may come after May 1, and we will notify you of any decision status changes via your Gator Portal.