Hey everyone, I've been seeing the term 'defer' a lot lately and I'm a bit confused. Can someone explain what it means to defer a college application, and when might someone choose to do that? Thanks!
Deferring a college application typically refers to two different scenarios: one related to the college admissions process and the other related to your enrollment once admitted.
1) Deferring during the application process: When you apply to a college, especially under Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) programs, and the college defers your application, it means that the college has decided not to make a decision on your application yet and will consider it in the Regular Decision (RD) applicant pool. This is usually because the admissions committee wants more time or additional information to evaluate your application before making a final decision.
In this scenario, if your application is deferred, you'll generally receive a decision along with the RD applicants. Being deferred is not a rejection; it just means you'll have to wait longer to see the outcome. While waiting, you can update the college with any new achievements or information that could strengthen your application.
2) Deferring enrollment after being admitted: If you've been accepted to a college but decide to take time off before starting your college education, you can request to defer your enrollment. This is sometimes called taking a gap year. You'll need to communicate with the college's admissions office to discuss their policies and request the deferral in writing. If granted, you'll be allowed to take time off before enrolling and have a guaranteed spot in the following year's entering class. Reasons for deferring enrollment might include travel, volunteer work, personal or family reasons, or gaining work experience.
In both cases, it's essential to stay in contact with the college's admissions office and follow their procedures for requesting a deferral. Each college may have different policies, so ensure you understand their requirements and timelines before making any decisions.
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