The Real Reason Jazz Jennings Is Deferring Her Harvard Admission

TLC star Jazz Jennings graduated from high school just a few months ago, complete with her custom-designed pride cap, of course, and was due to start her freshman year at Harvard this fall. But the I Am Jazz powerhouse recently announced she has deferred her admission. 

While it's common for many people to take a gap year before starting college, Jennings' reason for not heading straight to Harvard is a bit more complicated. She didn't reveal that she was delaying starting college until October 1, after the fall term was well underway. Jennings opened up about her decision to put off her matriculation at the prestigious university in a heartfelt Instagram post. 

"I wanted to share some news," wrote Jennings. "After careful consideration I have decided to take a break before starting at Harvard. It wasn't an easy decision but it is the right one for me. These past few years have been so full and busy that I realized I could use some time to refocus and recenter to be the strongest version of myself."

Jennings still plans to attend Harvard in the future, although she didn't say when she will begin her studies. "I am so grateful to have the support of my parents and Harvard in making this decision and look forward to focusing on some self-care and getting prepared to start this exciting next chapter in my life," she said.

Jennings announced her acceptance to the Ivy League school back in May. "I am so stoked for this next chapter of my life!" she wrote on Instagram. "Feeling so blessed and grateful right now. Thank you so much to my incredible family for your unconditional love and support; none of this would be possible without all of you. I can't wait for what's to come!"

While some critics speculated that Jennings was only admitted because of her fame, Jennings revealed on her Instagram story (via Starcasm) that she graduated valedictorian of her high school class with a GPA of 5.4138.

"Try to tell me I didn't get in out of academic merit," said Jennings. "Yes, my advocacy and the show helped significantly, but my balance of that combined with my academic achievements is what ultimately got me admitted. I worked hard and I know that."

Jennings continued, saying she was "done bragging." The I Am Jazz star ultimately concluded, "I have the right to be proud of myself, but I don't want to come across the wrong way. Thank you to everyone who supported me and helped me get to this point! I have a tough decision to make, but I'm so grateful just to have the choice. Wish me luck." 

With a GPA like that, Jennings certainly has every right to brag, and has nothing to apologize for.

Although Jennings has implied that she will still be attending Harvard, she may ultimately decide that she doesn't need to go to college. She previously told People that she hadn't picked a major, but she does know what she wants to do. "With my life what I want to do is really combat a lot of the social systems that have dictated our societies for so long," she said. "There's so many things that people don't even realize they are allowing to rule their lives. I'm hoping I can just do what I can to help this world move forward to a more loving and accepting place where we don't judge each other as much."

Even though she's still in her teens, Jennings is already a noted activist, so it's possible that we'll see her skipping college altogether and continuing her LGBTQIA+ advocacy. And if she does eventually make her way to the Ivy League school? "I'm thinking about gender studies. Philosophy, maybe even Religion. Communications, Journalism, Writing. All those things," Jennings said.

Whether or not she ultimately ends up at Harvard, there's no doubt Jennings will go far in life. As fans of I Am Jazz have seen time and again, when she puts her mind to something, Jennings does what she needs to do to accomplish it.