Deferred Admissions
An option some colleges reserve to themselves is to offer you a deferred admission; instead of enrolling in September, you enroll for the winter term in January, or even for the following fall.

These admissions invariably are given to those on waiting lists, although some students may indicate on their application that they would like to be considered for winter as well as fall admission. Behind the deferred admission is the departure from campus for overseas or special projects of a small number of students, who do not let the college know until the summer before they are going to leave. To fill their places, the freshman class is expanded.

Should you accept deferred admission? Most applicants do. In the case of a midyear entrance, there is the drawback of coming on campus after other freshman have developed their social arrangements. You will not be able to graduate with
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your class in the spring. These are minor
disadvantages. The colleges are aware of them and do their utmost to make you feel welcome.

In addition to offering deferred admission, many colleges also allow students who have been admitted for the fall to request a deferral of their admission for a semester or a year. You may decide to do this if the issuance of your visa is delayed, if you have an exciting internship or athletic opportunity or other reason for wanting to take some time out before enrolling. Usually, you would request this deferral during the summer, after you have sent in your deposit to hold your place. Your letter should discuss why you want to defer admission, what you hope to do during the semester or year off, and why you want to hold your place at the college. These requests are often granted, and students go on to do many exciting things.