Can you defer beginning a PhD for one year?

[isthisagoodidea]

Is this something that is unheard of?

Edited January 13, 2016 by isthisagoodidea

[socilinda]

3 hours ago, isthisagoodidea said:

Is this something that is unheard of?

Most programs will let you defer for a year if you've been accepted into their program. This is definitely not unheard of and happens quite often. Is it a good idea? That's completely up to you to decide.

[isthisagoodidea]

14 minutes ago, socilinda said:

Most programs will let you defer for a year if you've been accepted into their program. This is definitely not unheard of and happens quite often. Is it a good idea? That's completely up to you to decide.

Oh wow, that's great to hear. Because of small class sizes I wasn't sure if this was common or not. Thanks!

[sociologyapp2016]

11 hours ago, socilinda said:

Most programs will let you defer for a year if you've been accepted into their program. This is definitely not unheard of and happens quite often. Is it a good idea? That's completely up to you to decide.

I'm not sure if it "happens quite often."

While it's definitely true some programs may allow you to defer, I get the impression that programs typically frown upon the practice...Unless you have a very, very compelling reason. At least one reason schools don't like it (among several) is because if deferring a year becomes common practice, students can reapply the following year to apply to better schools and save the original as a sure-safety school. 

Univ. of Washington, for example, states: "Typically, we do not allow students to defer their offers of admission. If you are offered admission and wish to delay enrollment, we usually will reconsider your application (updated if you see fit) in subsequent years, but not defer the actual offer with very few exceptions."

Harvard states: "The Department does not typically allow deferral of admission."

Wisconsin: "You cannot defer admission, you have to reapply."

Uni. of Southern California: "USC does not offer deferments in the traditional sense of the term. (In other words, we do not guarantee re- admission.)"

[socgrad]

On 1/13/2016 at 8:38 AM, isthisagoodidea said:

Is this something that is unheard of?

It depends on if you are funded or not. Funding for sociology grad students is incredibly difficult to come by, and it may influence the department's commitment to you and willingness to invest resources in you (such as prime research assistantships). If you are unfunded, it likely won't affect you as much. Either way, be prepared to prevent an intensely compelling reason, or it looks like you just back peddled on your decision to go to their school/grad school.