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Completing the college deferral process is an integral part of many students’ gap journey. Deferring enrollment gives you peace of mind to be fully present on your EF Gap program while feeling secure in knowing where you’re headed after your international adventures.
Deferring your college acceptance should not deter the school of your choice; in fact, some of the top colleges in the country specifically encourage students to take a gap year because they know these programs help students reach their full potential. For example, the prestigious Harvard University’s Gap Policy page reads:
“We want to do everything possible to help the students we enroll make the most of their opportunities, avoiding the much reported ‘burnout’ phenomenon that can keep them from reaching their full potential. Our overall graduation rate of 98% is perhaps due in part to the fact that so many students take time off, before or during college. We encourages admitted students to defer enrollment for one year to travel, pursue a special project or activity, work, or spend time in another meaningful way.”
And that’s just one of the renowned institutions that EF Gap Year alumni have gone on to attend. Others have charted successful academic careers all around the country at colleges such as the University of Miami, New York University, University of North Carolina, University of Oregon, and many more.**
The 6 Steps of the College Deferral Process
STEP 1
Apply to colleges
Before you can defer, you need to get accepted! Complete the application process for the colleges or universities of your choice and let the decisions roll in as you begin the next step of the college deferral process.
STEP 2
Plan your gap
It’s important to take time to reflect as you consider your interests and research your options during this step of the college deferral process. Familiarize yourself with our modular Gap Year, Semester, and Short-Term programs with the help of your expert Gap Year Consultant, who will work with you and your family one-on-one to determine the perfect program for you.
STEP 3
Choose your college
Now is the time to commit to your school of choice, celebrate your accomplishments, and anticipate the next chapter.
STEP 4
Submit your college deposit
Reserve a spot at your school of choice by submitting a deposit. While deposits are not legally binding, colleges typically view them as a firm commitment. Additionally, deposits are usually nonrefundable, meaning that if you change your mind about which school you’d like to attend after your EF Gap experience, there’s a good chance you won’t get your deposit back.
STEP 5
Send deferral documents to your school
Once your deposit has been submitted, you’ll need to officially request your deferral. While these processes vary depending on the school, colleges typically require students to fill out a “Request to Defer” form, which is often located within your school’s admitted students’ portal.
You’ll also need to write a formal deferral letter detailing goals and plans for your gap year. This should be sent between April and mid-June for the admissions committee. We’ll dive deeper into what this letter looks like in a moment.
STEP 6
Receive approval for your EF Gap Year or Semester
Congratulations! Your request to defer was approved and you’re ready to go on the gap year of your dreams, knowing you have a spot at school waiting for you the following spring or fall.
As a crucial component of the process, your college deferral letter should address what you plan to do on your EF Gap Year program, when you would like to defer your admission to, where you will travel, how the experience will help you to achieve your personal goals, and most importantly, how it will make you an even stronger student at that school.
Just fill out the short form below to unlock your sample college deferral letter and get in touch with your dedicated EF Gap Year Consultant who’s here to help make your gap dreams a reality.
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**EF Gap Year is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with these institutions. All listed names are the registered trademarks of their original owners. The use of any institution name or trademark is for reference purposes only and does not imply any association with the trademark holder.