<p>Ok, so I'm a rising senior who's e-mailed the 5 or so grad (Master's) programs I want to apply to in order to introduce myself and express preliminary interest in their programs. Thankfully, all the schools replied to me quite promptly, but all the responses were basically form letters with information I already knew from their websites. They're opening themselves up to questions (which is appreciated), but to be honest, I really want to know if they fund Master's students (it's a STEM field) and to know if I can defer admission for a year (I want to take a gap year to teach English/improve my Spanish/avoid academic burnout). I feel like I should show some tact instead of just asking these difficult questions though. Should I just wait until I'm (hopefully) accepted and find out about funding and deferment options? If I'm planning to defer, then I feel like I should be up front about my intentions.</p>
<p>Thoughts? Advice?</p>
<p>Related note: I want to apply this year because I think it will be much easier to get LORs while I'm still in school. Also, what I want to do in my gap year will do absolutely nothing to add relevant experience or build my resume substantially.</p>
<p>(I won't be studying English, as displayed by the grammar employed in this post)</p>
<p>Although I certainly cannot speak for those programs, my guess is that all will feel that you shouldn’t apply to graduate school until you’re ready to attend. If you ask that question, even before you apply, they will likely reject you outright when they receive your application. They want students who are ready to begin graduate school. Period.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about the LORs. Professors do remember their best students for years, sometimes even decades. I recommend going to them during the academic year to outline your plans and to ask if they would write a letter when the time comes. If they say yes, keep in touch over the year to give them updates about what you are doing; this not only ensures that they will write current letters but also that you’ll remain fresh in their minds.</p>
<p>You’ll find that most graduate students do not start their studies right after their undergraduate education. Most take a year or two – and some take much longer.</p>
<p>I have known people in your situation (in regards to LOR) and they have asked their professors to write the LOR before graduation and to send them to Interfolio ([Interfolio</a> - Dossier, Credentials and Letter of Recommendation Service](<a href=“http://www.interfolio.com%5DInterfolio”>http://www.interfolio.com)), which keeps the letters and MOST schools consider them “sealed”. There is a small fee for holding your letters and mailing them to X universities.</p>