A gap year is a chance to experience the world at a time when you’re most open to it. It’s an opportunity to jump whole-heartedly outside of your comfort zone and see where you land. It's a time to press the refresh button, learn something you never could have learned in school, and -- if you do it right -- even become more successful once you enter college.
The period between high school and college is a delicate time, one where teenagers are transitioning between being children in their parents’ homes to adults on their own. It’s a time for self-discovery and exploration, when you can learn who you are, what you want, and what your place in the world might be.
Another major reason that forces some first year college students to defer their admission is the financial problem. Some students are from the poor background fall a prey of financial handicap which left them with no alternative than to apply for deferment. Studies also showed that some of the students defer their admission on the ground that, maybe they loss their parents, loved ones or the person that was to sponsored them through the college Education.
It’s no coincidence that many students come back from their gap year and change their intended major or has a more tangible career goal to apply to their studies. This is a time to focus on you and clarify your academic objectives.
Some Mistakes Many Students Make While Trying To Defer Admission
Some of the students never informed the admissions office of their intentions, and simply did not show up at orientation; others applied for admission in a certain term, knowing full well they were not planning to enroll in that term. Still others misrepresented the facts about the reason for their request to defer.
After witnessing the good, the bad and the ugly in terms of how these requests were handled, here are some tips about how to do things the correct way.
Do It The Correct Way
1. Make sure you have thought things through: There are times when it is appropriate to withdraw or defer. The two major instances where withdrawal would take place are when a student has decided to attend another institution or has serious reservations, either about graduate school in general or about the program of study to which he or she has been admitted in particular.
All institutions have deferral policies. In most cases, deferral is granted for extenuating circumstances, such as when students have experienced major changes in finances, resulting in less money in their portfolios or experienced a personal crisis such as a medical emergency or the loss of loved one. However, these circumstances should be able to be verified.
2. Contact the admissions office: Let the admissions office know as soon as you have made your decision to withdraw or defer. Remember, there are other applicants still interested in this program, and some may be on a wait list. Having the courtesy to let admissions staff members know of your decision as soon as possible provides them an opportunity to admit someone else in a timely manner.
3. Accept the decision of the admissions office: In most cases, you can defer for only one year. Often you will be asked to pay an additional enrollment deposit, which – like your initial deposit – is non-refundable. This is the institution's way of making sure you are really serious about joining the student body in the future.
Note that, your request for deferral may be denied and be instructed to withdraw and reapply instead. Meanwhile, I have rarely seen a situation where an admitted student who withdrew and reapplied – and who clearly explained the reasons for that course of action – was not offered readmission.
4. Make sure you check out the financial aid implications: If you have been awarded a scholarship or fellowship, make sure you find out if this award will still be available to you if you defer. In just about every case, the award is not held if you withdraw.
Benefits of Admission Deferment for Gap Year
The benefits accrue by the students during their gap year cannot be over emphasis, academics, college administrators, parents, professors, future employers, and students themselves are finding that those who take a gap year before college come to school ready and focused. They also come with a whole set of new or polished skills that they gained along the way.
In addition to what we see in terms of greater focus in the classroom, increased cumulative grade point average CGPA’s, greater campus involvement, and an increased likelihood of graduating on time, students who take gap years are proving to have abilities that benefit them both inside and outside the classroom.
A pre-college gap year is a chance for you to spend some time doing things that don’t require you to ask “how will these looks on my college application?” It’s a chance to travel, take a break, look around you, meet wonderful people, try new things, and figure out what you want to do.
Many people come back from gap years changed -- they're worldlier, more focused, more compassionate, and more self-reliant.
According to the American Gap Association, benefits of the gap year include:
- Improved maturity
- Greater ‘ownership’ of one's education
- Increased self-awareness
- Superior global awareness
- Fluency in a foreign language
- Self-confidence / good composition
Others cite are:
- Greater abilities to work as part of a team
- Problem solving skills
- The ability to deal well with unexpected frustrations
- Successfully working in cross-cultural setting
- Increased independence
Some Universities Suggest Deferment to Its New Intake
The good news is that deferring your university admission for a year has never been easier or more acceptable. Universities and colleges are recognizing that gap years can result in a more mature, dedicated student body that brings with it a wealth of diverse experiences. That means that they are more open to granting deferrals to accepted students. In fact, the acceptance letter from Harvard University even suggests to its incoming freshmen that they might want to take some time off before starting college.
How to Defer College/University Admission
Following the few simple steps outline below you will be able to defer your admission in any university/college in US, Europe and other part of the world with minor changes in their procedures.
- Apply to University/College before you take a gap year.
- Get accepted and confirm that you will attend.
- Send a letter to the college's director of admissions and outline what they plan to do on their gap year / gap semester.
- The admissions committee will evaluate the letter and grant / deny the deferral.
- Send deferral letters between April and mid-June. And if you living in Nigeria then your admission deferment should be just after your name had been shortlisted for admission. That is usually at the beginning beginning of a new session [first semester] the month defer depending on the University but is usually between September and early December.
As Kristin White, director of Darien Academic Advisors and author of The Complete Guide to the Gap Year says, "in most cases, admissions offices grant the deferral." And although it's best to request deferral between April and mid-June, "at the very latest, students should send their requests before their first fall tuition payments are due, which is usually July 1 or August 1.” and first few weeks of resumption of a new session for all Nigerian students.
What You Must Know About Deferral Of Admission
As I said earlier each university/college has their unique but minor changes in their deferral process. The American Gap Association has collected informal information on the specific deferral process at hundreds of American colleges and universities to help you, but contact your specific college or university for the most updated policies and procedures.
May we also state categorically here that, many schools will grant a year deferral but not a quarter or semester, so ensure you factor this development into you plans and budget.
Deferral Grants During Your Gap Year
Check with your college or university to see if there is any potential for gaining college credit for your gap year activities. It is rare that this is the case, but it’s worth asking. If you enroll in another school for classes during your gap year, you might have to re-enroll in your college/university as a transfer student -- definitely ask your admissions office about their specific policies.
In terms of deferring financial aid or scholarships, be sure to check with your specific school. Just because you’ve been offered financial assistance with your initial acceptance doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed that same package when you return a year later. It might mean that you have to reapply for financial aid and scholarships before you start school, but the chances are if you were granted it the first time around, you'll be granted it again.
You must also know that as a deferral student the university/college do not think less of you as student applying for a deferral, in other word to defer admission is not a crime or neither does it make you less human or inferior and be sure to check on the specific policies of each school and follow their directions.
Deferment: What a University Don has to Say
If you’re feeling even the least bit like this is something you want or need to do, you should do it! Go on a gap year and enjoy a year exploring your world. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but for those who feel called to take a break before jumping into the rigorous academics of college or university, it could be the best decision of your life.Some students (and parents) worry that taking time off will result in a loss of hard skills that contribute to success in college, but this is often not the case.Colleges are realizing that gap year students come back revitalized, focused, mature, and self-aware. They are ready to engage and bring a sense of worldliness to the classroom. Schools are making the deferral process easier, or at least more acceptable, and some are even actively encouraging students to take time off before starting their freshman year.Come back from a gap year adventure and be more ready than ever for a sterling collegiate career, and whatever excitement comes after it! – A University Don advised.
Deferral Procedures in a Developed country like United State and a Developing country like Nigeria
A case study of two differents university was taken in order to a certain the deferral procedures as it is obtained in the world class university and that of the educational disadvantage nation where University of Port Harcourt - Nigeria was used as a case study and that of Old Dominion University - US
A case study of the Old Dominion University
You may request the deferral of your application for up to one academic year following the initial term of entry deadline. After this time, a new application is necessary.
*Students who have completed or plan to complete college level courses at another institution since their original application are not permitted to defer their acceptance. Students should instead submit a new application indicating their status as a transfer student.
Additionally, coursework completed since your application was submitted must be reported and will be reviewed in the deferral process.
Keep in mind that failure to notify Old Dominion University of enrollment at another institution is a violation of the University's honor code.
PROCEDURE FOR DEFERMENT OF ADMISSION FOR REGULAR PROGRAMMES
A Case Study Of University Of Port Harcourt- Nigeria
Candidates offered provisional admission into the University of Port Harcourt during the 2012/2013 academic session who wishes to defer their admission must comply with the Procedure stated below:
Steps
- Sign up on ecampus.uniport.edu.ng, log in and complete the Eligibility Clearance Form.
- Go to the Admissions Office for clearance.
- Pay the sum of N17,000.00 [seventeen thousand naira] at the Bursary Department of the University.
- Proceed to the Admissions Office with a copy of the completed Online Forms and Deferment of Admission Payment Receipt.
- At the Admissions Office candidates should submit their Deferment Receipt, the completed Online Forms; and collect a numbered copy of the Application Form for Deferment of Admission of the 2012/2013 session.
- Complete the Candidate’s Section on the Form (i.e. Section A).
- Access your Faculty Officer to complete his/her Section of the Form (Section B).
- Access your Head of Department to complete his/her Section of the Form (Section C).
- Access your Dean to complete his/her Section of the Form (Section D).
- Submit the duly completed Form to the Faculty Officer for further action
- Please note that candidates must complete the entire process outlined above.
Closing Date
The closing date for the Deferment of 2012/2013 admission is: Wednesday, 24th July, 2013. Deferment Forms will not be available/processed after the closing date.
Note:
The minimum University charge required for Deferment of Admission is payment of the sum of N17,000.00 [seventeen thousand naira] made up of N5,000.00 [five thousand naira] for Deferment Form and N12,000.00 [twelve thousand naira] Acceptance Fee.Completing the online application does not mean your application has been approved.Before the commencement of the 2013/2014 session, candidates should check with the Admissions Officer to confirm if their applications have been approved.Note the Number on your Application Form and at the commencement of registration for the 2013/2014 session; use the Number to go online to register for the 2013/2014 session.Candidates who have paid charges prior to Application for Deferment, should pay only the sum of N5,000.00 [five thousand naira] for Deferment Form. Thereafter, they should see the Admissions Officer with copies of their Payment Receipt[s] to obtain Access Code with which to process their registration for the 2013/2014 session.RELATED SEARCH
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