I've exhausted all my deferrals, will they realistically be able to defer me one more? Please read.

[Omar J.]

Hello all.

Instead of explaining the background to my story, I will just paste an email I wrote to my school which explains it all:

"Hello again,

 

I hope you had a joyful holiday and merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

 

I am writing this email to explain the background of my application and hoping you can assist me considering my situation.

 

I have been admitted to UoS college of engineering (MSc EE program) for the spring 2012 semester. I was supposed to be in the US on time (through a UN refugee relocation program - for my entire family) but due to UN delays that did not happen. Therefore, I had to defer my admission to the fall semester. However, this time we had to postpone it due to my father having health difficulties that prevented him from travelling. This made me defer to Spring 2013 semester. 

 

On the 11th of September 2011 my father passed away, which put a further delay on our relocation process as my father was the main applicant. I therefore applied for a US student (F) visa and finished submitting my application in September 2012. However, as the 7th of Jan 2013 draws closer, I have to start realizing that there is a possibility I will get neither my student visa nor my UN relocation on time. 

 

Please keep in mind, that during this entire time I was working and gaining industry experience, as well as academic experience as I successfully published a research paper in a conference and a journal (in Canada and Germany). My paper won the Best Paper Award, where I was the main author. I have all documents to prove this.

 

I have really exhausted all the possible legal avenues to get to college on time but this is simply out of my hands. I am still keenly interested in pursuing my graduate studies in Syracuse and plan to not give up. Is it possible that you can defer me to the fall semester?

 

There is still I possibility that I might get my student visa (or UN pass) on time but in case it does not happen, I really hope you can help me. 

 

I have all documents to prove every detail in my case and I will immediately mail them to you if requested. 

 

I appreciate your prompt reply,

 

Best regards,

 

Omar J. Al-Sammarraie"

 

My TOEFL and GRE scores are expired by now. Do you think I can add any thing else to my case to convince them of giving me one more deferral? What are my chances, realistically? If I do have to re-apply (which I hope not), will my chances of admission be higher? Will they waive the tests for me?

[Omar J.]

School is Syracuse University, LC Smith College of Engineering, Program: MSc EE.

[PhDreams]

I think you just have to wait to see what they say first.

Insha'Allah you will be here in Spring.

[ridofme]

I'm sorry for all that you've gone through. I don't have any advice to give other than to wait for a response. Your situation sounds very unique and compelling, and your email was thorough and sincere. Hopefully that counts for something. I wish you the best of luck.

[sansao]

I haven't got a clue what they'll actually do, so as others said, you'll have to wait for a reply. But I really, REALLY hope they work with you on this, especially as you were already admitted and this is easily a very special circumstance. Have you contacted the school or the UN or an immigration lawyer about possibly finding an advocate for you within the US while this is sorted out? Someone who could physically go to the school and talk with the administration on your behalf? I don't know if there's actually a procedure for this but it would be something to look into.

Also, since this is a masters program, I'm guessing the first year is coursework? Do they offer any of the courses online (lots of engineering programs have online courses at the masters level)? Maybe you could do some of those courses to maintain enrollment while the UN and US sort out paperwork? I'm sure it's not optimal, but if it let's you defer without actually deferring, maybe that could get you the time you need. Ask the school, if you present a workable option, maybe they'll just go with it.

Edited December 31, 2012 by sansao

[NKH]

I wish you the best of luck with this. Hopefully the admissions department will be understanding.