Unfortunately, there is simply no way to know your chances of getting admitted after a deferral. Ultimately, admissions depend on several factors: the quality (and number) of the applicants in the regular admission pool; the quality (and number) of other deferred candidates; and the number of accepted applicants to decide to enroll (the "yield").

My first suggestion to you is to make sure you have a back-up/safety school. As much as you may hope to attend Washington University in the fall, there is no way to guarantee that you will be admitted.

Once you've done that, think about whether you have done anything since submitting your initial application that might make you a more compelling applicant. Have you won an award? Participated in a new activity or sport? Increased your involvement in something? If you have, let them know by writing a short supplement (check with the admissions office first to see if it will accept it).

As for providing additional test scores, if you have already retaken the SAT/ACT and have higher scores, absolutely send them in. If you haven't retaken them yet, make sure you'll have a score report back in time for consideration. If not, what's the point? Additional test scores will only help if you show improvement over your first set scores. Ideally, the improvement would be fairly considerable—a 10-20 point gain on the SAT is likely to be seen as insignificant and your time could probably be better spent on something else.

Finally, see if any of your teachers would be willing to submit a supplementary letter of recommendation on your behalf. Again, check with the admissions office to see if it will be accepted before asking a teacher to do this.

You don't want to bombard the admissions office with unnecessary information (anything that simple repeats what you have already provided them in your initial application), but do provide an update if there is any relevant and compelling new information about yourself.

Hang in there. Deferrals can be frustrating as they indicate that you are clearly in the running for admission without providing many hints as to the ultimate outcome of your application for admission.

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