Deferring Admission

Graduate programs may grant deferred admission for up to one year following the original term of application. Send your deferral request to the graduate program. You must include the reason for deferral in your request. Decisions to approve deferral requests are made carefully, and not all requests may be approved.

Circumstances for Deferral

In rare situations, unforeseen, extenuating circumstances occur that affect an applicant’s ability to enroll. These situations may include a medical emergency (pandemic), family emergency, delay or denial of a visa to study in the United States, or natural disaster (earthquake, hurricane). When these types of circumstances occur, an admitted student may request to defer enrollment (referred to as deferred admission) for up to one year following the original term of application. A new application and application fee are not required.

Typically, circumstances such as employment, enrollment at another institution, funding, or indecisiveness regarding enrollment are not appropriate justifications for requesting deferred enrollment.

Deferral Beyond One Year

Consideration beyond one year requires submission of a new application, application fee, and required documentation.

When an applicant commits to serve in the military or provide public or government service such as Teach for America, Peace Corps, or AmeriCorps, prior to enrollment, a two year deferral of enrollment may be approved by the graduate program. However, if the request is approved by the graduate program, a new application form and application fee is required.