Deferring an MA acceptance?

[bck203]

Does anyone know how likely MA programs in English are to allow admitted students to defer for a year? I won't have to worry about this until the spring, obviously (if I get in at all), but I'm already wondering about it. The main reason I would consider deferring would be to work another year and save more money, especially if I don't get a good funding package (which seems likely...of the 8 schools I've applied to, only one offers full funding to all MA students - the rest fund only a portion). A friend of mine has deferred his admittance to Harvard law for two years for this same reason, and they were very accommodating about it. But would it be a totally different story with MA programs? I really don't want to go into debt.

Edited December 20, 2010 by bck203

[mostlygoo]

Last summer I got accepted into Georgetown's M.A. program. I'd missed the deadline for funding, and didn't get my notification from the program until late June, taking me by surprise a little (I'd given up on the program by that point). I asked the DGA about deferring so I could have more time to make financial arrangements, and was told that Georgetown doesn't allow deferrals for financial reasons, so I would have to reapply the following year. (He also noted that I'd have no guarantee of being re-admitted, since I would be evaluated against a new pool of candidates.)

So my suggestion, if you're looking for a deferral, is to just inquire about the deferral policy in a very general way. I do think that deferrals are probably less common with small, competitive M.A. programs, but it's always a possibility.

(I decided to re-apply to Georgetown, by the way, and go for funding this time. I figured it was worth a year's wait -- and the risk of not being re-admitted -- to at least have a shot at funding. And if I don't get in at all, then I'll take it as a Sign and be happy. Ish.)

[bck203]

Thanks, good to know! I just submitted my Georgetown application five minutes ago...haha. It's my first choice, but probably a long shot for me. I hope we both get in with funding : )

[mostlygoo]

Thanks, good to know! I just submitted my Georgetown application five minutes ago...haha. It's my first choice, but probably a long shot for me. I hope we both get in with funding : )

Funny... Good luck with Georgetown! Yes, let's hope for funding for both of us...