<p>My child just got accepted to a college she is excited about, but plans to take a gap year. How does one ask for a deferment? A full explanation of the gap year plan or a one sentence formal request without detail? Don't want to mess up this opportunity.</p>
<p>You should have your child contact the school and ask how they handle it. My S sent in a letter a few paragraphs long detailing what his plans were. They school then emailed him back saying he was approved and that his merit award would be held till he started the following year. He is now happily hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.</p>
<p>And you should do this soon! When my daughter requested a deferment a year ago, there was a deadline for making the request. It was in late June, I think.</p>
<p>Call or email the admissions office. They’ll tell her what she needs to do.</p>
<p>Follow-up to last night’s post. Here’s what my daughter did to get her deferment: she contacted the admissions office to find out who handled them. The guy who handled them said he needed a written request from her (email from her student account would be fine) including a brief description–just a sentence or two–of what she planned to do with the time. Very easy.</p>
<p>But be aware of this: next spring, when the college or university is making arrangements for next year’s entering class, you may need to be somewhat vigilant about deadlines, getting back into the system, etc. My daughter’s university was happy to grant her the deferment, but the procedures for returning from the deferment haven’t always been completely flawless. Still worth a gap year, but there have been minor hassles this spring.</p>