Hi Everyone,
I have applied to a couple of schools for the class of 2019. I am graduating high school this year and really have my heart set on taking a gap year.
In my gap year I want to go to Costa Rica for 4 months to volunteer at a school to teach english and sciences, as well as helping animals. I also want to spend the second half of my year off traveling in Asia.
I understand I applied to be starting in 2015, but I want to defer to start in 2016. Is there a good chance they will let me once I pay my deposit?
The schools i applied to are:
GW
NYU
UCLA, Berkley, Santabara, San Diego, Santacruz
BU
Pepperdine
University of Miami
UMCP
And I got into
Bard
NEU
UMBC
Which of these schools do you think will give me a deferral?
Thank you all!
xx
I don’t know about all of these but UC does not all deferral ‘in general’
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/q-and-a/miscellaneous/#11
The privates are more likely to, but you will have to check each one.
I know lots of people who took a gap year and have never heard of any school public or private that had any issue with it whatsoever. You pay your deposit and secure your spot. Then you write a letter to your regional admissions counselor. You request a gap year and explain your intentions. Most school are thrilled. Opens up a spot, they have your money and when you come back to attend classes your ready.
Good luck
Have you considered doing those planned gap year experiences as summer or study abroad programs instead? Instead of losing a year, you could get academic credit while still having an adventure. If you will be receiving financial aid, many universities continue financial support while their students are away on study abroad programs.
Be aware that the UC process is very different than other universities. I know a student who was accepted to Berkeley and then chose to take a year off to be with a terminally ill parent. At the time, Berkeley advised her that they did not have a deferral option, so she should just reapply when she wanted to start. At the end of the year, she reapplied and was rejected. This time, the counseling office told her that what she should have done was register for classes and then take a leave on the first day of the semester, which would preserve her acceptance.
@siliconvalleymom Noo thats awful! That’s a terrible situation, how can a college be so cruel? That’s super upsetting to hear.
And I feel it’s healthier to take a year off school instead of just doing a summer, but thank you for the suggestion xx
a gap year is a great idea and a valuable experience. you will be one year older when you enter college and the cognitive and maturity differences between 19 and 18 are not to be ignored. I have not heard of colleges refusing a deferral, but that’s not worth much. I have a friend whose son says that many of his class at Harvard are gap year students.
@jkeil911 that’s such a reilf. And thank you for the support, I am happy you understand. Plus I am very young for my grade since I skipped a year due to moving countries in 6th grade. So I feel like it will be very valuable to me 
xx
sounds familiar. my December D spent 3 months overseas during her gap year and she matured measurably during that time.
@jkeil911 where did she go? You’re an awesome parent for letting her do that! I had to convince mine pretty well to show it was beneficial! xx
I’d heard that about the UC’s - and known students to do as suggested, register, then withdraw, which works fine. As for Bard, many students do defer - it’s very common to take a Gap Year after acceptance and you won’t feel out of place when you return as there will be a number of other students in the same situation.
xx