<p>I was accepted as an international student for fall 2008, but due to military duty I had to defer my enrollment by a year. </p>
<p>The thing is, USC does not do deferrals, although they told me that they would hold onto my application and re-evaluate it next year. It effectively means I will be reapplying, the only consolation being that I will not have to redo my app, therefore the app fee, sending of standardized test scores, transcripts, essays, recs, and everything else has already been completed for my fall 2009 app.</p>
<p>Does anyone have experience of going through this, or is currently in a similar situation? Will it be more difficult for me to be accepted due to the ever-rising standards of admission?</p>
<p>I am also undecided on whether I should apply somewhere else in the meantime, because if USC does not accept me the second round, I will be left without a school. Even though I have a place at a local university, I cannot imagine studying there as my heart is already set on going to the states.</p>
<p>Are you absolutely sure you have the correct info. that USC does not do deferrals? It sounds like you can't come to USC this year due to military duty.
Will your country defer you? If the info. you provided is correct, you will just have to re-apply and apply to other schools as well.</p>
<p>Yea I called the Office of Admissions and they said they don't allow students to defer. Now my dilemma is whether I should just hope to be re-accepted, or whether I should play it safe by applying elsewhere.. What a crappy situation :(</p>
<p>I suggest that you write a nice letter to USC admissions expressing your disappointment that you will be unable to attend this year due to mandatory military service to your country and that you want to attend USC when you complete your service. Re-apply to USC plus apply to other schools to be safe.</p>
<p>What is your experience with email at USC? Do you have a name of someone who knows you or met you via interview/school visit/regional admissions representative? Why not try email first, as long as you have a specific name in the admissions department. Keep a copy for yourself and give them at least a week to respond. If you don't get a response, then mail them a letter with a signed receipt so that you know that your letter was received. Ask if USC admmissions office can please hold onto your transcript and letters of recommendation. Let them know that you are reapplying after your military duty is complete. Express your appreciation for their support.</p>
<p>I would send a regular letter to be sure it goes in your file. If you send an email, the person reading it will have to take the time to print it out and put it in your file or he/she may just note that they heard from you. In any case, if they receive a letter from you, that will go in your file for sure. Good luck. You will probably get re-admitted next year since you will be one year better and more mature.</p>