defer?

[bluegrass_druid]

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does anyone know the typical attitude of schools toward deferral? I have been accepted to OHSU and CU, but would like to defer for a host of reasons. the main reason is to finish my research project, which i have been working on for nearly 2 years and will be unable to finish before school starts. I do not want to drop the project at this point to enroll, but fear declining the offers to reapply, as there is no guarantee of acceptance.

To put it in better perspective, I am most interested in a combined MD/PhD program to pursue my medical research goals, but have not yet been accepted (waitlisted for 3) and am ecstatic about being accepted to MD programs. Nevertheless, this process is incredibly time-consuming, competitive, and expensive and I do not want to have to repeat it (especially with no guarantee of acceptance). Thus, deferral is the most appealing option; I am just unsure how feasible it is.

help or advice would be greatly appreciated...

bgd

 

[Syranope2]

i definitely can't speak for all schools, but every school that i've heard about is very receptive to students wanting to defer for a year. give the dean a call and see what they say. here at wash u, you don't even have to have a good reason, really, and your reason sounds very good, so you should be fine.

 

[dr.z]

i definitely can't speak for all schools, but every school that i've heard about is very receptive to students wanting to defer for a year. give the dean a call and see what they say. here at wash u, you don't even have to have a good reason, really, and your reason sounds very good, so you should be fine.

Yeah, I think you should call the schools. I know that most schools allow you to defer for a year. Some will make sure you don't apply to other schools but not all. I really don't think you'll need to apply next year.

 

[doc05]

you can defer, but it's probably not worth it. you will have to decide on one school though (can't defer at both ohsu and cu simultaneously). best of luck.

 

[docbill]

That is true you pick the one you want and then you try to defer.

You just have to contact the secretary at the school or the person that has been sending you the letters etc.. and ask about their deferal policy. You don't need to talk directly to the dean. Just find out first what they think about it.

I actually just defered and they where really understanding. It was so I can finish my PhD.

More importantly, you know that some schools you can try to get into their MD/PhD program after first year. If you are not too concerned with trying that, it is prob better. I would actually try that instead of defering for one year. Or do a PhD afterwards. My university (university of toronto) has a special program for MDs who want to do a PhD. You can do it in 3 years and you get a better stipend than regular PhD students. ~40-45k. You can do some clinical durring this time as well.

 

[bluegrass_druid]

I could reapply to the MD/PhD after the first year, but there are other reasons that deferring enrollment for one year is appealing. Also, if I get in to the combined program I would like to take full-advantage of the grant and get all 4 years of med school payed for

 

[Vincristine]

I don't specifically know about the schools you've been accepted to, but I think overall it's usually a completely reasonable thing defer especially if it's to finish a research project. I interviewed for med school with every intention of defering once I got in. I never spoke of this because it's much easier to defer once accepted than to take a year off and then apply. In the latter, you have a bigger burden to bear justifying what you did in your year off. If you're qualified enough to get in without taking a year off, apply then defer.

I was accepted, had to go through the initial motions of matriculating but immediately found out what I needed to do to defer -- in my case it was simply writing a letter to the dean. Mine was very short, outlined the fact that I would continue working full time ad the pharmaceutical company I had been at for 3 years as an undergrad. I also mentioned needing some personal time after MIT to rejuvinate and would be a better student in a year (i.e. I needed to sleep). My deferal was granted without issue; they only requested a letter confirming my employment. However, a classmate of mine defered to travel around Coasta Rica....I'm unsure what she specifically told them.

I say accept. If you're still nervous about it, call and talk to someone about defering before formally accepting. They can not going to take away your admission just because you told them you think you want to defer.

 

[bluegrass_druid]

I don't specifically know about the schools you've been accepted to, but I think overall it's usually a completely reasonable thing defer especially if it's to finish a research project. I interviewed for med school with every intention of defering once I got in. I never spoke of this because it's much easier to defer once accepted than to take a year off and then apply. In the latter, you have a bigger burden to bear justifying what you did in your year off. If you're qualified enough to get in without taking a year off, apply then defer.

I was accepted, had to go through the initial motions of matriculating but immediately found out what I needed to do to defer -- in my case it was simply writing a letter to the dean. Mine was very short, outlined the fact that I would continue working full time ad the pharmaceutical company I had been at for 3 years as an undergrad. I also mentioned needing some personal time after MIT to rejuvinate and would be a better student in a year (i.e. I needed to sleep). My deferal was granted without issue; they only requested a letter confirming my employment. However, a classmate of mine defered to travel around Coasta Rica....I'm unsure what she specifically told them.

I say accept. If you're still nervous about it, call and talk to someone about defering before formally accepting. They can not going to take away your admission just because you told them you think you want to defer.

Thanks, Vinchristine, this was very helpful. I'll see what they say. I totally agree...I don't want to have to justify another year of my life (even though I am proud of my accomplishments during that time) AND explain why it was so important that I decline and reapply. Does anyone know what the typical policy is for those who roll in off of a waitlist (I've heard that deferral is not an option)?