<p>This is probably another one of those FAQ kinds of questions but is it possible to defer an acceptance to Law School for one year? E.g., apply between junior/senior years but take just one year off to work/intern?</p>
<p>..upon the law school, the reason, and when you ask. Policies vary widely.They even fluctuate from year to year. There have been years in which particular schools got higher yields than they wanted and basically ASKED people to defer. </p>
<p>Generally speaking, the earlier you ask, the greater the likelihood of a yes answer. If you get accepted in February or March and ask for a deferral IMMEDIATELY, it's much likelier to be granted because the law school can fill the seat in the next year's class with someone else. If you wait until after May 1 to ask, it's unlikely that you'll get a yes, unless the law school got a higher than desired yield. </p>
<p>A few things to keep in mind: one, if you've asked for and received $$$, you may not be allowed to keep it if you defer. If it's need-based $, you have to fill out the financial aid forms all over again. Changed circumstances may mean a changed package. If it's merit money, ESPECIALLY if it's a prestigious scholarship, you may not be able to defer it. This is quite common. If the school gives out two free rides to two outstanding applicants, it may say you can try again next year, but if you aren't one of our top two applicants next year, you won't get the $$$. </p>
<p>You do have to pay a deposit. At my kid's law school, you pay two. Thus, if you ask for and receive permission to defer for a year, you have to pay the same deposit as everyone else. The following year, you have to pay a SECOND deposit, the same as everyone else. These are deducted from the total bill, but you do have to come up with the $$$---and if you are applying for loans, you won't have gotten any loan money when you have to make the deposits. </p>
<p>At some law schools, as many as one third of first year law students have deferred admission for a year (or sometimes 2).</p>
<p>Thanks, Jonri. PM received as well, with much thanks. I will reply more when I've caught up on sleep. I hadn't considered the possible impact on merit $$$ but that's an issue clearly too far in the future to contemplate. Dang.</p>
<p>TheDad: </p>
<p>For what it's worth, one of my friends deferred HLS for a year to travel. </p>
<p>My law school also does the 2-payment system: a small deposit by April, then a larger one in July.</p>