DO school deferrals?

[soxfan247]

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Hi guys,

I tried looking up a pre-existing thread but the last one about deferrals to DO school was from 2000. I was just wondering if someone knew the likelihood of attaining a deferral (for a year) from a school if they accept you, and what reasons would constitute a reasonable request. Also, is it ok to ask what the admissions staff think of deferrals during our interviews? Or is that a no no?

Thanks!

 

[MightyMoose]

Hi guys,

I tried looking up a pre-existing thread but the last one about deferrals to DO school was from 2000. I was just wondering if someone knew the likelihood of attaining a deferral (for a year) from a school if they accept you, and what reasons would constitute a reasonable request. Also, is it ok to ask what the admissions staff think of deferrals during our interviews? Or is that a no no?

Thanks!

Deferrals are a bad thing for med schools, so unless you really need one (Cancer, Death of a loved one, Major car accident which is going to put you in the hospital for an undefined period of time...), then I would not take one.

If you ask about it during your interview... That's going to be the kiss of death. I suggest you cancel your interviews if you know you are going to be taking a year off, and tell them why.

 

[Helen Wheels]

If you check the current CIB you can see which DO schools allow deferrals. In each school's section it actually lists whether deferred admission is considered. For the schools that consider deferrals it doesn't list what the adcoms consider a good reason, though. Some DO schools, according to the CIB, just flat out don't allow deferrals.

I agree with Moose, you shouldn't ask about this at an interview. IMHO, the school is going to feel that if you can foresee a need to defer at this stage, you should have just waited until next year to apply.

 

[soxfan247]

If you check the current CIB you can see which DO schools allow deferrals. In each school's section it actually lists whether deferred admission is considered. For the schools that consider deferrals it doesn't list what the adcoms consider a good reason, though. Some DO schools, according to the CIB, just flat out don't allow deferrals.

I agree with Moose, you shouldn't ask about this at an interview. IMHO, the school is going to feel that if you can foresee a need to defer at this stage, you should have just waited until next year to apply.

Thanks a lot, I definitely won't bring it up in the interview then 🙂

 

[Everglide]

AFAIK, it depends on the school. We have a person in the class ahead of us who took a year off from school to go snowboarding in the mountains (really). If you're being honest with your reason for deferral I don't know what the big deal is, you're not hurting anyone with it.

 

[zetabetazeta]

Umm, is it really a big deal though? When I interviewed at DMU, this girl told me she took a year off and traveled to Europe (Italy, France..etc.)

 

[willen101383]

When I had a random major eye problem pop up a few months before matriculation I pulled the plug for a year. Ended up switching schools in the end...but it can be done. Some schools have special requirements for granting a deferral. I never had to provide proof of a medical problem.....but here we get into the whole honesty issue again....

 

[MightyMoose]

Umm, is it really a big deal though? When I interviewed at DMU, this girl told me she took a year off and traveled to Europe (Italy, France..etc.)

I don't know why, but DMU seems to have more defferals than other schools. In general though, it is frowned upon. I would think even by DMU. Obviously if you have some valid reason to do it, then go for it, but be prepared for the consequences if it doesn't work out the way you planned.