|
A. CURVES AND ROADBLOCKS: DEALING WITH DEFERRED ADMISSIONS, WAITLISTS AND DENIALS
HANDLING A DEFERRED ADMISSION
Every year, a number of students are offered admittance to a college for some future time. There are both pros and cons for accepting this arrangement. Here are some:
| PROS |
CONS |
1. You get to go to a college that might otherwise not be available to you. |
1. You are not able to arrive on campus with the rest of the freshman class. |
2. Even if you come a semester late, colleges often
have special orientation programs to help 2nd semester admits quickly integrate and adapt. |
2. You have to develop your own plans for fall
semester, a time when most of your friends will be off to their respective colleges. |
3. After you arrive at your college, few will know
that you were a 2nd semester admit. Soon you will forget. |
3. You may have to take extra classes or go to
summer school to graduate with your class. |
4. Having a summer and semester before you begin college can give you extra time to do something you’ve always wanted to do and/or perhaps earn a little money for college. |
4. For a few students, an extra semester at home may test already tense relationships with
parents or siblings. |
5. If you have taken full advantage of a semester away from school, you may bring added maturity and a better sense of what you want from college or future career. |
5. Sometimes housing is a problem for 2nd
semester freshmen, but usually it is guaranteed. |
In general, colleges that offer deferred admissions have specific expectations for students accepting this arrangement, including spending a semester in some kind of worthwhile involvement, including community service, education and/or work.
Before students sign on for deferred admission, they should know exactly what the expectations are and feel good about accepting them. They should also discuss their plans with the college and get written confirmation from them that they approve your plan of action. |
