How do you defer a place at university?

I'm thinking about taking a gap year before starting university, but I'm not sure how the deferral process works. What's the typical procedure for deferring a university place, and are there any important deadlines I should be aware of?

Deferring your admission can indeed provide a chance to take a gap year, further explore your interests, or even gain some work experience before starting at university.

Firstly, it's important to know that the process can vary substantially by school -- some schools may have a simple process, while others may have more prohibitive policies or not allow deferment at all.

Typically, here's how the process works:

1. Accept Admission: Most colleges will only consider deferment requests from students who have accepted their offer of admission.

2. Make a Written Request: Usually, you will need to submit a written request to the college's admissions office to defer your acceptance. Your request should explain why you want to defer and what plans you have for your gap year. The clearer your plan, the more likely the college will agree to defer your admission.

3. Await Approval: After submission, schools will generally review your request and make a decision. If approved, the college will give further instructions on the next steps.

As for deadlines, these also vary by institution. Generally, it's good to send in your request as soon as possible, ideally before the last week of May in your senior year of high school. However, colleges might have different deadlines for deferment requests, so it's best to check the school's admissions website.

Remember to also make sure any financial aid or scholarships you're receiving from the school can also be deferred. Not all financial aid will carry over, and some scholarships may have their separate deferment process.

Once your deferment has been granted, make sure to comply with any requirements or conditions mentioned by your college so you can resume your degree program smoothly after your gap year. Preparing well for this process can make your gap year experience more rewarding and lower stress when it's time to start classes.

Lastly, reconfirm your place at the college as your gap year draws to a close, just to make sure everything is still in place for your arrival on campus.