Deferring PhD Admission for Cambridge or Oxford MPhil

[Horseshoe]

I recently was in the unfortunate situation of deciding between a fully funded PhD program at a top 5 school for my program or an MPhil from Cambridge. I already accepted the PhD offer but was feeling very concerned about turning down Cambridge. I ended up emailing my advisor at the PhD program and asked if I would be able to defer admission for a year to do the MPhil. He was extremely nice and supportive and told me that he would try to facilitate it. (perhaps its a special case because he is a Cambridge PhD) I ended up being unable to defer because of a policy within the graduate school, and I turned down Cambridge. I just wanted to let anyone who may be in this situation in the future know that you CAN in fact ask to defer! I doubt you will be scorned; professors were once in your shoes, and you investing in the MPhil makes their investment in your PhD have more worth! 

 

I hope this gives courage to anyone else in a similar predicament!