Do all colleges allow you to defer admission?

I'm wondering if every college offers the option to defer admission. Is this a standard policy, or does it vary by institution? How can I find out if a specific college allows deferrals?

The option to defer admission is not universally provided by every institution. While many colleges do offer this opportunity, policies around deferral or gap years tend to differ significantly from one school to another. There's not one standard policy across all colleges.

In order to find out whether a specific college permits deferrals, the best approach is to look up the institution's particular policies on its official website or to directly contact the admissions office. Generally, the information will be under their admissions policies or FAQs section. Some institutions are very supportive of deferring and encourage diverse experiences, while others have more stringent rules, sometimes only permitting deferral under certain circumstances (for instance, for military service, health issues, or religious obligations).

Keep in mind that even if a college allows for admission to be deferred, you often have to apply to do so, providing a plan or reason for your gap year. Some colleges might not allow admitted students to enroll in degree-granting programs at other institutions during their deferral period as well.

Remember, even if the school does allow for a deferral or gap year, it's critical to understand what this means for aspects like housing, financial aid, and scholarships, as policies can vary widely. Always double-check on those specifics to ensure there are no surprise changes or losses when you eventually attend.