Pre-deferred place?

[WildeThing]

Quick question. Some departments will allow you to defer your place for a year, assuming you confirm your acceptance of the spot. Some universities specify what reasons are accepted for choosing to defer whereas others don't. My question is, does anyone have an idea on whether departments will accept an application that asks to defer right off the bat? For instance, you're working and your contract end the following year, or you're in the middle of a program that won't end until the following year.

I kind of assume programs will just tell you to re-apply but does anyone have any experience with such a thing? Or know of any protocol?

[Glasperlenspieler]

It seems like most programs are fairly reluctant to let people defer, doing so only in the case of a Fulbright or something comparable, and even then many programs will refuse to do it. So I sort of doubt they'd take too kindly to you asking for a deferral right of the bat.

Why would you want to do that anyway? Just take the extra year to fine tune your materials and you'll probably have a stronger application when the time comes around.

[TakeruK]

I am thinking the same thing as DerPhilsoph but also, regardless of whether or not programs are reluctant to let you defer, if you cannot begin a program until Fall 2018 then why not wait until 2017 to apply to Fall 2018? Typically, people defer because either something comes up between application and acceptance that causes them to no longer be able to accept the offer as planned, or because they also applied to other non-grad school opportunities and got into both and would like to do the non-grad school thing first. But if you are already certain that you cannot start until Fall 2018, then it makes sense to wait until the Fall 2018 season to apply!

[echo449]

I would add that deferrals can cost you hundreds of dollars in fees. The school 'holds' the spot for you, as it were, and, at least at my institution, it is actually pretty costly. 

[WildeThing]

Thanks for the response. The reasoning is that if I can know what program I'm in a year in advance my partner can focus the job hunt to that area.

[TakeruK]

Ah okay, that makes sense. I didn't think about that scenario because most jobs I can think of won't also let you apply that far in advance, but if they are also an academic then perhaps this is the best route forward.

I am thinking that if you ask them if they will let you defer in the application itself, they might just tell you to reapply next year. If you don't want to waste the application fees, then you can ask them about this prior to applying. That said, I am not optimistic that you will be able to get what you want, because you are in essence asking to be considered for admission in a later year and it's not really fair to consider you for admission in Fall 2018 without seeing the other Fall 2018 applicants. Not to mention that they may not know what funding is available in the future and may be hesitant to commit themselves to funding you in the future.

You could also try the route of not telling them and then asking for a deferral only after they have admitted you. Doing this runs the risk that they will refuse to grant a deferral. Or, they will let you defer but won't promise funding (i.e. you'll compete again with the Fall 2018 applicants). 

It's fairly normal for couples where one (or both) is an academic to apply widely for jobs/positions in many different locations at the same time, though. However, some job cycles start after you find out about grad schools, so your plan still may be possible even if you wait a year to apply. 

[dr. t]

3 hours ago, WildeThing said:

Thanks for the response. The reasoning is that if I can know what program I'm in a year in advance my partner can focus the job hunt to that area.

While the desire for security is understandable, most schools would not likely grant a deferral petition for this reason. But usually you will hear in February or March for a September start date - is 12 months really going to solve what 6 can't?

[WildeThing]

Perhaps not, but when it comes to settling down for a multi-year haul, more time to prepare can only be better.