Deferring

[CC128]

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Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone has had success deferring an acceptance from any of these schools:

Vanderbilt
Baylor
Duke
Northwestern
UCLA
USC

What did you do during your year off, and how did you go about requesting the deferral? I've been accepted at a few places but I really want to defer...any insight on your experiences with this? Thanks!

 

[Dr. Donkey]

mmmyes, I too would very much appreciate some input on this subject. Is there a comprehensive online source of leniencies of the various schools in regard to granting requests for deferrals?

 

[CC128]

i wish there were something like that....i've found it really difficult to get much information out of schools about this, so i guess i'm just going to have to write them a letter and see what happens...i'd like to have some idea of my chances though!

 

[stoic]

it probably depends a lot on your reason for defering if you want to go abroad for a medical mission trip or if you have family issues or something like that, then your chances of being approved are probably much better than if you just want to chill at the bar with your friends for another year.

do you have a specific reason in mind?

 

[CC128]

i've always loved languages but never got the chance to study abroad during college because of all my pre-med classes and research and stuff, so i want to go to europe and improve my french and maybe learn spanish too. i've been looking into a bunch of programs, some of which let you teach english in a school or do some volunteer work also while taking language classes, so i think it would be a really worthwhile experience. it may not be directly related to medicine, but i think that it will be really beneficial for me and help me as a physician down the line...but basically this is a dream i've been putting off for a long time in order to prepare for med school, and if i don't do it now, i never will.

 

[G0S2]

One question that comes to my mind and likely the person reviewing your deferral request is why you did not do this before applying given it has been a dream for a long time? I am not trying to be harsh, I just think that is how they may look at it.

 

[G0S2]

What about after MS2 and Step 1. Once you are in med school, it is easier to take a leave.

 

[CC128]

well i'm graduating in may, and i went ahead and applied this year because i knew there was no way i could apply while in europe and i would rather not put off med school for two years. i would rather take time off now and then begin med school ready to devote myself to that for the full four years than interrupt it in the middle. i also may end up at a school without a clear-cut distinction between 2nd and 3rd year (ie baylor) so it really wouldn't make sense for me to take a year off then.

 

[IndyZX]

i am 50/50 on deferring to whatever school i eventually get into. i imagine that if you come off honestly in your desire to pursue some individual opportunities before you accelerate and devote the rest of your life to medicine, i cant see how ANYONE would turn you down.

that being said, i do know that UCSF is very tough on deferals -- not that this is going to pose a problem for me, but nevertheless...

all of the other schools to which i applied (that had a stated policy on deferals) seemed very open to the idea.

 

[Bear1220]

that being said, i do know that UCSF is very tough on deferals -- not that this is going to pose a problem for me, but nevertheless...

Actually, as far as I know, UCSF isn't tough on deferrals. UCSF attracts lots of non-traditional applicants and this sometimes translates to deferrals. I know of a couple people who got in last year and have deferred for a year, and there's someone in my class who actually deferred for four years. So if you get into UCSF and you'd like the defer, you should be able to.

 

[CC128]

what about ucla and usc?

 

[wendywellesley]

i am 50/50 on deferring to whatever school i eventually get into. i imagine that if you come off honestly in your desire to pursue some individual opportunities before you accelerate and devote the rest of your life to medicine, i cant see how ANYONE would turn you down.

that being said, i do know that UCSF is very tough on deferals -- not that this is going to pose a problem for me, but nevertheless...

all of the other schools to which i applied (that had a stated policy on deferals) seemed very open to the idea.

indy- i can't decide which is hotter, your stats or YOU!!! 😉
too bad you are in texas 🙁

 

[IndyZX]

Actually, as far as I know, UCSF isn't tough on deferrals. UCSF attracts lots of non-traditional applicants and this sometimes translates to deferrals. I know of a couple people who got in last year and have deferred for a year, and there's someone in my class who actually deferred for four years. So if you get into UCSF and you'd like the defer, you should be able to.

yeah, i guess i misinterpreted what was on their website...

"Deferred Admission
In special circumstances requests for deferred admission will be considered. Written requests for deferral must be received by May 1 of the year of expected entry. The Executive Board of the Committee on Admissions will review requests for deferral. Deferrals are considered that permit a time limited, once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in an academic experience that will significantly enhance his/her medical education and training. Although we realize that students may wish to spend a year between undergraduate college and the rigors of medical school for financial reasons, personal development, or family needs, deferrals are unlikely to be granted for those purposes."

 

[Bear1220]

yeah, i guess i misinterpreted what was on their website...

"Deferred Admission
In special circumstances requests for deferred admission will be considered. Written requests for deferral must be received by May 1 of the year of expected entry. The Executive Board of the Committee on Admissions will review requests for deferral. Deferrals are considered that permit a time limited, once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in an academic experience that will significantly enhance his/her medical education and training. Although we realize that students may wish to spend a year between undergraduate college and the rigors of medical school for financial reasons, personal development, or family needs, deferrals are unlikely to be granted for those purposes."

Yeah, from the website, it definitely seems like it's not easy. But, in reality, it doesn't appear to be too difficult with valid reasons for deferral.

 

[menemotxi]

I am currently using my deferral to relax in Australia. I just waited to request it until I got the fat acceptance letter in the mail. All it required was a long request in the form of a two page letter to the dean explaining the fact that I had never traveled before. He gladly let me off the hook for a year. I highly reccommend the experience to anyone thinking about it. It has been the best decision of my life. pm me if you wish to hear more.