<p>So, I have seen others ask about deferrement before, but it was for such things as a Fulbright or Teach For America. I would like to defer for less prestigous reasons and wonder if anybody has any experience or opinions about this.</p>
<p>I am finishing my two-year M.S. program this May -- which I began directly from my B.A. -- and am already accepted into one of my top choice PhD programs. I am simply feeling more burnt out than I thought and I would like to travel for a bit and possibly work a seasonal job for a while (I have much of this already lined up, should I be granted the deferrment). I am very excited about beginning this PhD program, I just think that I would be more productive starting in fall 2011 rather than this fall.</p>
<p>So, can I ask the program director, and then when he asks why I want to defer just tell him directly that I am burnt out and would be a better student / researcher if given the time? Or, should I make up some kind of personal / family reason that is more compelling and sympathetic, but ultimately is a lie? I have no idea if this kind of thing is common or not.</p>
<p>TheBrain: Have you looked throughout your schools website to see if there are any rules on this? I have seen it addressed on some departments webpages.</p>
<p>I googled"can I defer biosciences Phd." and came up with a # of similar requests. It looks like some schools wil allow but only for a very productive reason.</p>
<p>What if they decide not to take any new PhD candidates for next year-lack of funding, downsizing the program, whatever…Then what will you do?
I can’t imagine the program saving you a guaranteed spot next year, just consideration to reapply next year.
Think of it as a limited time offer.
Plus I think the program director will be none too pleased since they passed over a bright eyed and bushy tailed candidate for you.</p>
<p>Some programs do allow deferrals, and others don’t. One of the girls who interviewed with me chose her program based on who would allow her to defer; she deferred to travel, like, you, and went to her chosen program a year later happier and ready to go back to school.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s a problem to request information about the possibility of deferring your admission for a year. I would not give a reason unless asked, and if asked, I would just mention a desire to travel prior to starting the commitment of a PhD program. No need to give more details than necessary.</p>
<p>I know that my school allows deferrals, basically no questions asked. I think you are going to have better luck in the larger umbrella programs where +/- 1 person won’t make a big difference. Several people in my class deferred a year, and most of the people who deferred did not work in science during their year off. I don’t know how common this is though.</p>