Can someone explain what deferring admission to University of Maryland College Park means?

I'm considering applying to University of Maryland College Park, but I'm not entirely sure how deferring admission works there. Would they hold my spot if I deferred, and for how long? Any insights would be helpful!

When you defer admission to the University of Maryland College Park, or any other university really, it typically means that you've been accepted, but you're choosing to postpone your enrollment for a specified period of time, which is usually one year.

At UMD College Park, accepted students who request a deferral will need to submit a written request to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, detailing the reasons for requesting the deferral. Each request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and the university may grant or deny the deferral based on the reasons provided in the request.

If the deferral request is approved, your spot in the incoming class will be held and you'll be expected to enroll at the start of the following academic year. It's important to know that during that gap year, the student can't enroll in a degree program at another college or university.

While the university holds your spot, keep in mind that the financial aid package and housing arrangements may not be the same when you do enroll; you would need to re-apply for financial aid and housing for the year you plan to attend.

Remember, the deferral process may slightly differ from one university to another. It's always a good practice to check the specific deferral policies of the university you intend to apply to. Hope you find this initial overview helpful!