Requesting a deferral from one program while on the waitlist for another

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

medthrowaway

New Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2012
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Is this OK? I would strongly prefer to go to the school I am waitlisted at. The orientation date for the school I am holding an acceptance at is much earlier than the one I am waitlisted at.

The school I am holding an acceptance at has already expressed interest in granting me a deferral (completing an additional year of research). But, if I formally request this deferral, am I committing to that program?

If I get off of the waitlist, I also intend to request a deferral.
 
Is this OK? I would strongly prefer to go to the school I am waitlisted at. The orientation date for the school I am holding an acceptance at is much earlier than the one I am waitlisted at.

The school I am holding an acceptance at has already expressed interest in granting me a deferral (completing an additional year of research). But, if I formally request this deferral, am I committing to that program?

If I get off of the waitlist, I also intend to request a deferral.

tricky! when is the latest you can hold your spot/ request the deferral by? I think I've heard of people leaving one orientation to move and start school at their first choice when they got off of a waitlist, I could be wrong though
 
Look at the contract/agreements before you sign.

Problem solved.

They're not going to "mysteriously" grant a deferral with terms they don't define.
 
You should probably talk to both schools before you screw yourself up.
 
is the waitlist ranked for the other school?
 
LizzyM said on another thread that requesting a deferral after being accepted off of the waitlist is not very nice. This late in the game, the school wants to accept someone who will commit to the spot, not someone who wants to wait a year! If you absolutely want a deferral, go with the school that already approved your informal request.
 
Is this OK? I would strongly prefer to go to the school I am waitlisted at. The orientation date for the school I am holding an acceptance at is much earlier than the one I am waitlisted at.

The school I am holding an acceptance at has already expressed interest in granting me a deferral (completing an additional year of research). But, if I formally request this deferral, am I committing to that program?

If I get off of the waitlist, I also intend to request a deferral.

If you defer where you currently hold an acceptance, and get into the program where you are wait-listed, and you decide instead to attend the program you got into from off the wait-list - if the school where you first held an acceptance has an MD program, you probably should never consider applying to that MD program, because you've basically already told the school once before "thanks, but no thanks". The deferral usually has a caveat that you must matriculate the following year, or by default you relinquish your acceptance to that program. Works differently for medical schools because of how centralized everything is via AMCAS, but for just about anything else this is how this situation would unfold.
 
If you defer where you currently hold an acceptance, and get into the program where you are wait-listed, and you decide instead to attend the program you got into from off the wait-list - if the school where you first held an acceptance has an MD program, you probably should never consider applying to that MD program, because you've basically already told the school once before "thanks, but no thanks". The deferral usually has a caveat that you must matriculate the following year, or by default you relinquish your acceptance to that program. Works differently for medical schools because of how centralized everything is via AMCAS, but for just about anything else this is how this situation would unfold.

Sorry people; in a post-bacc state of mind currently. Disregard my post if not applicable.
 
tricky! when is the latest you can hold your spot/ request the deferral by? I think I've heard of people leaving one orientation to move and start school at their first choice when they got off of a waitlist, I could be wrong though

Look at the contract/agreements before you sign.

Problem solved.

They're not going to "mysteriously" grant a deferral with terms they don't define.

I've heard of people accepting an offer up until the last date too. I've sent an email to get more information about the terms of the deferral, so I hope to learn about this soon.

I was hoping someone in a similar position might be able to comment though.

is the waitlist ranked for the other school?

Yes, it is ranked.

If you defer where you currently hold an acceptance, and get into the program where you are wait-listed, and you decide instead to attend the program you got into from off the wait-list - if the school where you first held an acceptance has an MD program, you probably should never consider applying to that MD program, because you've basically already told the school once before "thanks, but no thanks". The deferral usually has a caveat that you must matriculate the following year, or by default you relinquish your acceptance to that program. Works differently for medical schools because of how centralized everything is via AMCAS, but for just about anything else this is how this situation would unfold.
I'm not quite clear on your comment. Does holding a deferral affect my position to accept a waitlist offer?
 
If you can come up with a reason that sounds legit enough, and are willing to lose a year (keep in mind it's not only one year of your life, but one year of future physician earnings) for the chance of getting into the other school, then by all means, go ahead. Yeah, it may be a little of a tool move, but in the end, you gotta do what you gotta do. It's not like the seat's going to end up unfilled this year or next year because you deferred but decided to go somewhere else.
 
Tool move. Don't do it.

(sent from my phone - please forgive typos and brevity)
I have an acceptance at Osteopathic Med School but would like to defer for one year and try again for Allopathic. Is this allowed? I don't want to lose my spot.
 
I have an acceptance at Osteopathic Med School but would like to defer for one year and try again for Allopathic. Is this allowed? I don't want to lose my spot.

I'm pretty sure the med school you're accepted at is going to say "hell no" when you give them this reason for requesting a deferral and revoke your acceptance.

Don't be that guy.
 
Top