<p>I may have to take a year off next year due to health reasons, but I would still like to have the security being accepted into a university. Would I be able to defer for a year without disclosing my medical history?</p>
<p>It depends on the college.</p>
<p>Inquire: most colleges have in place, gap year provisions. Most likely, they’ll encourage you to apply. If they offer you a spot, that means they’re glad to have you. Most likely, they’ll then turn around and defer your entrance for a year once you indicate your intentions, without problems.</p>
<p>My alma mater last year had a higher than expected yield (too many people accepted their offer) so a shortage of beds was imminent. The college then immediately granted all gap year requests, and even went to the extent of individualy contacting all those who even *inquired *about taking a gap year to strongly nudge them! In the end, enough slots opened up so no overcrowding occurred! True story!</p>
<p>I’ve noticed that public universities are less likely than are private ones to offer gap year options. Before granting them, it’s normal for universities to ask what you’ll be doing during your gap year. They get concerned if students seem to be planning gap years just to chill out, so that’s why the colleges want to know gap year plans. They want to make sure you’ll be doing something productive. Getting medical treatment would be considered productive.</p>