Deferring admission?? (A&M)

[aggie1024]

Hello all-

This is my first post on this forum, although I have been following for quite some time now. I was just notified of my acceptance to Texas A&M's Vet School. Whoop!!
Congratulations to everyone else in the TAMU CVM Class of 2016!

Here's the problem- I am highly considering not starting vet school in the fall. I was wanting to know if any of you know of anyone who has deferred their admission? It could be to any vet school or to A&M in particular. I have spoken with several different advisors about this already, and they suggest that I speak with someone directly at the vet school (the Dean or person in charge of Admissions). I am planning on doing this as soon as classes start back up after Spring Break. I would love to hear anyone's experiences! Thank you!

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[bandierose]

Hey! I am starting at A&M in the fall. Can I ask why you are thinking of deffering (read physical/emotional hardship, financial, or just want time off)? I know that if you are pregnant you can definitely do that, but other than MSU I have never heard of other vet schools doing that....

 

[zanydogz]

Hey! I am starting at A&M in the fall. Can I ask why you are thinking of deffering (read physical/emotional hardship, financial, or just want time off)? I know that if you are pregnant you can definitely do that, but other than MSU I have never heard of other vet schools doing that....

First off congrats on TAMU acceptance! I will also be starting in the fall at A&M.

I would have to agree with bandierose. If I recall (correct me if I"m wrong), TAMU is one of the many schools that generally will not let you defer - they want you to start that fall unless you have like an emergency reason or something.

 

[aggie1024]

Mostly, I just want time off. I have had an incredibly difficult last 9 months or so (academically and personally), and I feel like if I was to start vet school in the fall, I would be setting myself up to be miserable and not succeed. I am also a December of 2012 graduate. So my plan was to graduate in December (with a very light class load) and then take next spring off to work/do research/enjoy life a bit. I guess I just feel like that will be the last "break" I have for quite some time, and I would like to enjoy life a little before diving right in. I currently live with two first year vet students (A&M), and to be honest, they just seem miserable some times. I know it's tough, and that won't ever change. I enjoy the challenge, but I don't ever want to be so overwhelmed by school that I would regret my decision.

Thank you for the responses so far. I figured it was worth a shot to at least ask around and see if anyone had heard about deferment to vet school, particularly A&M. Please, keep the suggestions coming! Thanks again.

 

[breenie]

Many vet schools will grant deferment.

They are usually quiet about it and some are more lenient that others, and it's usually on a case-by-case basis.

Not much we can do to help you-- you'll have to hash it out with admissions.

Good luck!

 

[hopefulinva]

I asked this question during a Q&A with an admissions officer for one of my pre-vet club meetings, and was just about laughed out of the room. I got the impression that deferment isn't something that vet schools offer except on an emergency basis; but on the other hand, it doesn't seem like something they'd advertise too heavily. As breenie said - they may just be 'quiet' about it.

I'd highly recommend asking TAMU admissions. Don't worry, they won't revoke your acceptance just for asking. 😉 And congrats! Hope that things work out, whichever way they fall.

 

[SnowyRox]

I know that Tufts openly offers deferments. I did a pre-application file review with admissions and when I told her I wasn't going to apply that year b/c I wanted a gap year she told me to apply anyway and she would defer my admission.

Tufts is pretty chill about a lot of things though, and I don't think that's a common attitude among vet schools.

 

[orca2011]

I know that Tufts openly offers deferments. I did a pre-application file review with admissions and when I told her I wasn't going to apply that year b/c I wanted a gap year she told me to apply anyway and she would defer my admission.

Tufts is pretty chill about a lot of things though, and I don't think that's a common attitude among vet schools.

They made me cry today because of all their niceness. I feel like Tufts would be my top choice if they were a little closer to Boston ( I like cities...) And they've also been really lenient about one aspect of my application so they're awesome in my book.


As for deferments, I think like everyone else has said, you need to talk to the school. I might be considering one with Glasgow, if they allow it. I've heard the UK schools don't generally grant one so I might be out of luck. I'm also not sure how to approach them to find out if they grant them. I'm terrified of making it sound like I don't want to go there or something.

 

[mooshagen]

They made me cry today because of all their niceness. I feel like Tufts would be my top choice if they were a little closer to Boston ( I like cities...) And they've also been really lenient about one aspect of my application so they're awesome in my book.


As for deferments, I think like everyone else has said, you need to talk to the school. I might be considering one with Glasgow, if they allow it. I've heard the UK schools don't generally grant one so I might be out of luck. I'm also not sure how to approach them to find out if they grant them. I'm terrified of making it sound like I don't want to go there or something.

Same. Dublin's acceptance letter already says they don't take deferments... fml, haha.

 

[su_grad2007]

Mostly, I just want time off. I have had an incredibly difficult last 9 months or so (academically and personally), and I feel like if I was to start vet school in the fall, I would be setting myself up to be miserable and not succeed. I am also a December of 2012 graduate. So my plan was to graduate in December (with a very light class load) and then take next spring off to work/do research/enjoy life a bit. I guess I just feel like that will be the last "break" I have for quite some time, and I would like to enjoy life a little before diving right in. I currently live with two first year vet students (A&M), and to be honest, they just seem miserable some times. I know it's tough, and that won't ever change. I enjoy the challenge, but I don't ever want to be so overwhelmed by school that I would regret my decision.

Thank you for the responses so far. I figured it was worth a shot to at least ask around and see if anyone had heard about deferment to vet school, particularly A&M. Please, keep the suggestions coming! Thanks again.

You're going to have to talk to admissions. I know there were a couple of people who started with the class of 2014 who for whatever reason couldn't continue and are now in my class. However, I don't know if just wanting a break will be enough of a reason for them. Usually, it involves serious health or family issues, at least that's the case from what I've seen. but you'll just have to talk to the dean's office and see what they say.

I'm at A&M and I'll be honest I am miserable at times. the week before spring break was a living hell. Not to mention I am dealing with some serious health issues with my husband right now also. I've fought hard to pass my classes and try to make it through but it is a fight at times to stick with it. Being a veterinary student and being a veterinarian are completely different things. vet school really will push you beyond what you think you are capable of, but that's not necessarily a bad thing in the long run (although I can't say I enjoy it when it's happening). This semester is also one of the hardest semesters in our curriculum from what I've heard from students in other years so you have to take that into account also.

Pretty much everyone in my class has had moments where they've hated vet school and wondered why we are doing this to ourselves, especially this semester. You just have to find ways of coping with that. Know that there are going to be hard times but there are also a lot of good times as well and you get to see some cool stuff in wet labs and in clinics which keeps you going. If you think a year off will help you then take it if the school is ok with that. I took several years off but honestly I think that has made it harder to be back in school, at least for me. I miss real life and a pay check. I definitely miss weekends that don't involve studying all the time. But it's worth it to me to be a veterinarian.