The OP asked “In her correspondence with the AO, how detailed should she be? Is more information better? or would just a quick statement explaining the year be best?”
This is how I would handle it: Start by expressing appreciation for the current deferral. Then a simple statement that there were unexpected complications (no details) and the student, family, and her medical team all agree that the next semester-to-a-year should still be spent focusing on recovering strength before embarking on FT college life. Then ask if Name of School can support that plan by extending the deferral for another (either semester or year, whichever you really want). Close with appreciation and asking if they can let you know with a certain time frame (before your student’s room deposit or first tuition payment would be payable).
Others may have other good ideas, but this is how I would proceed. I hope it helps!
I don’t see a problem with asking for a second deferral. I would remind the college in her letter that she took the gap year to deal with medical issues requiring surgeries, express gratitude for giving her the first deferral to attend to those issues, be forthcoming about the major complications, and offer to provide medical documentation if needed. I wouldn’t send the documentation up-front.
When she’s feeling healthy and in control of her life again, she can decide if she wants to attend this school or go elsewhere. She doesn’t want to head off to school medically compromised – campus health will not know her case the way her local docs do.
This seems like a situation where asking for a second gap year is not an unreasonable request. I’d definitely mention that there were complications from surgery and that the recovery was not as speedy as anticipated. If they need more information than that, they can ask for it.
I agree if she would want to attend this school once she is healthy enough, then asking for another deferral might be a good idea.
But since this school is going to be full pay, and possibly she might want to be closer to home when she does go to school, that might not be the best option.
It depends, what she wants when the time comes.
If you would like to keep this school as an option, you can try to get the deferral extended. It doesn’t mean she has to attend if she later changes her mind, but she would have to let them know before she applies to any other schools I think.
They are the same thing functionally. She didn’t take a gap year in the sense that is usually meant (travel, exploration, service, maturation). You are simply asking to extend the deferral for essentially the same reason (medical) it was initially meant to serve.
I agree that you should offer to provide whatever medical documentation they might need. But you don’t know if they will be inclined to grant the deferral, and if they aren’t, whether their reluctance would be based on the school thinking she’s too sick (long term) or not sick enough (no real medical need). That’s why I’d be inclined to say “there were surgical complications,” but not offer any more detail unless/until it is requested by the school. Then you’d have a better idea about what documentation they need and why.
Good luck to everyone. I would be happy to help with the letter (via PM), and I think many others here would be very happy to be able to help your family with this matter.
If you really believe she’s go to that college and just need more time, ask for gap year or semester. But if you all feel better with her close to home, I’d consider a local college, sooner
She’s going to start composing her email to the school right now.
I agree that too much/little information might impact the outcome, so she will give that a lot of thought.
She’s got really gory pictures of the post-op infection, so I guess she can send them those, but they seriously might make the AO throw up.
We’re thinking she give a timeline of events with enough information that shows how the year panned out, adding that she’s happy to provide exact dates of procedures, tests, etc if they need it.
She wants me to pass along to you all how much she appreciates your kindness and all your suggestions.
“She is progressing remarkably well and will have no long term ramifications. However, the next six months are critical and she will not be able to attend first semester without compromising her long term prognosis. “
At this point no final decision has to be made. Just getting the postponement of starting college settled one way or another so that you can all focus on the most important thing, her health.
Any chance she could do online classes with the school? It sounds like the options presented have been to switch schools (to one closer) or get another deferral. Why not do a part-time enrollment that will provide some mental stimulation while earning credits through the dream school?
Is the school far from home?
Is her condition chronic?
Too much info is missing.
Are you sure she cannot go in the fall? Colleges are very accommodating for health issues. (Though after medical leaves they do want to make sure you can do the work without affecting health. This might not be relevant with a deferral though.)
(online non-matriculated or matriculated classes are a good suggestion)
Hi everyone, I want to let you know that her school will allow her to defer another semester, or another year even!
They were very nice about it, and told her that they want her to feel better, so whatever she thinks is best is just fine with them. They passed along necessary deadlines, so she’s now able to make a better decision about what to do next.
They do not offer on-line classes, so that’s not an option unfortunately. I was really hoping she could take at least one class, if she stayed at home, but as of now that’s not an option for this particular school.
Thanks again for all the support, and kind messages. You are all very much appreciated.