Reasons for deferring..... need advice

[xmasisfun]

I have been a lurker in SDN form for a while, and this forum has provided so much support throughout the application cycle.

I have been fortunate to gain an acceptance to a school this year, but I am currently considering asking for a deferral for one year for September 2014 admission for personal reasons. The school admissions contacts told me that as long as I could justify my reasons for deferral, they will consider my situation.

My reason for wanting to defer is more for personal reasons. My parents recently got divorce and they are moving out of the country. I have a younger sister who is currently finishing up high school, so I will be taking care of my little sister for one year. In addition to family drama, I feel burnt out after finishing my undergrad & would like to take a year off to save money, re-energize, and then start school next year.

I am absolutely thrilled and feel so lucky to have gained an acceptance to somewhere, but at the same time, I feel exhausted from my life. No matter how much coffee I drink, I feel tired all the time and I often feel nauseous for no reason. I want a break from school to save up as much money as I can and spend some time with my sister.

If anyone has deferred before, could you share what your reasons for deferring admission was? If not, I would appreciate any feedback to my situation.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[xffan624]

I have been a lurker in SDN form for a while, and this forum has provided so much support throughout the application cycle.

I have been fortunate to gain an acceptance to a school this year, but I am currently considering asking for a deferral for one year for September 2014 admission for personal reasons. The school admissions contacts told me that as long as I could justify my reasons for deferral, they will consider my situation.

My reason for wanting to defer is more for personal reasons. My parents recently got divorce and they are moving out of the country. I have a younger sister who is currently finishing up high school, so I will be taking care of my little sister for one year. In addition to family drama, I feel burnt out after finishing my undergrad & would like to take a year off to save money, re-energize, and then start school next year.

I am absolutely thrilled and feel so lucky to have gained an acceptance to somewhere, but at the same time, I feel exhausted from my life. No matter how much coffee I drink, I feel tired all the time and I often feel nauseous for no reason. I want a break from school to save up as much money as I can and spend some time with my sister.

If anyone has deferred before, could you share what your reasons for deferring admission was? If not, I would appreciate any feedback to my situation.

Leave out the other personal stuff, don't want to give your school a bad impression of you (i.e. he can't hack it) before you even start. Having to take care of your little sister during her last year in high school should be enough reason.

 

[survivordo]

Agreed- just mention that your parents are moving out of the country and that you have to care for your sister for 1 year. This shows that it is a temporary situation that will have resolved prior to your matriculation next year, perfect! Don't need to mention you are burned out etc. etc.

Survivor DO

 

[sugarmouse]

Oops my bad, submitted a response under a wrong forum....

 

[xmasisfun]

So if I were to submit a letter for deferral, do I need to submit any official documents to "prove" my situation, or does submitting a letter suffice?

Also, can anyone who has deferred before share their experience? Thanks a lot

 

[Dingo Mango]

So if I were to submit a letter for deferral, do I need to submit any official documents to "prove" my situation, or does submitting a letter suffice?

Also, can anyone who has deferred before share their experience? Thanks a lot

They'll probably ask for whatever specific proof they may need if/when they need it. I think acting as your sister's guardian is certainly a legit reason. good luck!

 

[xffan624]

So if I were to submit a letter for deferral, do I need to submit any official documents to "prove" my situation, or does submitting a letter suffice?

Also, can anyone who has deferred before share their experience? Thanks a lot

Each school has different procedures. You need to contact your school specifically with these questions, not some random internet forum.

 

[earf]

Burnout is a major concern for medical schools and can lead to depression and poor performance in your classes. Medical schools understand this and will be supportive if a deferral as long as you openly communicate with them that you're excited and honored to be accepted, but physically and emotionally need a temporary time off before matriculating so you can enter school with the best possible mindset. This shows that you are being mindful of your limitations. Call their admissions office or write to them about it. They would much rather have you defer than to lose you halfway through school due to burnout

 

[xmasisfun]

Each school has different procedures. You need to contact your school specifically with these questions, not some random internet forum.

I have contacted the med school admissions office about this, and they did not provide much information other than telling me to write a letter. So I wanted to see whether there has been anecdotes from people who have successfully deferred and how they were able to convince the admissions office.

I am waiting to hear back from the office sometime this week or next week. In my letter, I only talked about my parents leaving the country & myself acting as my little sister's guardian for one year. I did not talk about burnout. Also, because the admin office didn't need any "proof" or additional documents, I only submitted a 1/2-3/4 page letter. Do you think I should have written more??

Ahh I am so worried about my deferral request possibly getting rejected. What happens if I get refused? 🙁 🙁

 

[AxiomaticTruth]

I have contacted the med school admissions office about this, and they did not provide much information other than telling me to write a letter. So I wanted to see whether there has been anecdotes from people who have successfully deferred and how they were able to convince the admissions office.

I am waiting to hear back from the office sometime this week or next week. In my letter, I only talked about my parents leaving the country & myself acting as my little sister's guardian for one year. I did not talk about burnout. Also, because the admin office didn't need any "proof" or additional documents, I only submitted a 1/2-3/4 page letter. Do you think I should have written more??

Ahh I am so worried about my deferral request possibly getting rejected. What happens if I get refused? 🙁 🙁

Worst case scenario, you can go to school and bring your sister with you to attend the local public high school. But that's absolute worst-case scenario; she'll resent the hell outta this decision, but unless your parents can take her with them I don't see any other way if your school rejects your request.

Unless she has a friend whose family she can stay with for a year? You can give money to the family to help with the costs.

 

[xffan624]

I have contacted the med school admissions office about this, and they did not provide much information other than telling me to write a letter. So I wanted to see whether there has been anecdotes from people who have successfully deferred and how they were able to convince the admissions office.

I am waiting to hear back from the office sometime this week or next week. In my letter, I only talked about my parents leaving the country & myself acting as my little sister's guardian for one year. I did not talk about burnout. Also, because the admin office didn't need any "proof" or additional documents, I only submitted a 1/2-3/4 page letter. Do you think I should have written more??

Ahh I am so worried about my deferral request possibly getting rejected. What happens if I get refused? 🙁 🙁

Chillax... There's no reason they should refuse you. It's a legitimate reason for deferral. You've received an acceptance from the school. That means they want YOU at their school, ergo, they want you to be happy and to support you.

There's no need for additional text if you've expressed the situation satisfactorily. They're busy people, they don't want a novel.

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

Can you shop for a deferral if you have multiple acceptances? Not sure if that applies to you