Deferment with Early Decision

[moreliator]

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Does anyone know if after applying early decision you still have the option to defer a year? I know that if you apply regularly you can defer a year, but early decision may be different.

With early decision, when/if you are accepted, do you still have a few months to confirm, or are you totally committed once they accept you if you choose early decision with only one school?

Thanks!

 

[thoffen]

You don't have the option to defer a year. That is entirely up to the school. And if you do not have a good reason to defer the acceptance, they likely won't let you. If you plan on applying and not matriculating in the following year, don't. Simply wait until the next year to apply.

 

[Brent8927]

Give the school a call, as it depends on the school. But you don't necessarily need a good reason to defer--some schools grant most/all deferral requests while some will be tougher. Some schools allow you to apply to others schools for the following year while others ask you to sign a statement saying you won't.

I'm not sure how early decision affects things--usually you apply through early decision because you really want to go to that school, right? Well, just give the admissions office a call and they'll be able to help you out.

I was under the impression that with early decision (I may be mixing this up with early action) that you apply only to that school (and are not allowed to apply elsewhere), and if you are accepted you agree to matriculate at that school. If you aren't accepted then you are allowed to apply to other schools, but it means entering the application process late.

If I'm not mixing early decision and early action up, you should only take this route if you are certain you want to attend this school.

 

[moreliator]

well, I'm certain I want to attend this one school, and I'm 95% sure I want to matriculate in 2010. But there is a very small chance I would need to defer to 2011.

 

[Mattabet]

I agree with the above sentiments. It comes down to the school to grant a deferral or not, but most are willing to do it. Every person I know that asked for a year off (to either medical or law school, actually) got it. They're doing things like Fulbrights, teaching English abroad, etc.

I think most schools are happy to give the deferral because they have plenty of people on the waitlist to fill your spot, and knowing they've got you next year means they have to interview for one less spot, which makes life a tiny iota easier on both cycles.