Is Deferring College Acceptance A Worthwhile Alternative in the Wake of covid-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic has landed incoming students confused, forcing them to revisit their planning and explore possibilities of deferring their respective enrollments. The world is yet to recover fully from the challenges of the pandemic. Although many universities have resumed their on-campus studies, many are yet to follow it.

If you are an incoming graduate rewarded with an acceptance letter, is deferring a viable option to tide over the prevailing uncertainty? How will this impact your academic goals and career progression? Read the post to know the answers.

We at Collegepond would like to share the deferral processes and practices being reviewed by leading universities across the globe and how these policy shifts will likely to impact your deferral plans and upcoming admissions cycle.

Many universities are still offering classes online; others intend to extend a more flexible and supportive approach toward incoming students affected by the pandemic.

Under normal circumstances, you can usually defer your enrollment over a year and again, depending on the university, you could even retain your seat for as long as two years. Considering the COVID-19 situation and underlying challenges, some universities are also considering spreading the deferred enrollment over the next two years, depending on the number of students requesting a deferment.

We have herewith outlined some of the benefits and shortcomings that you should consider before deciding to defer your enrolment:

Benefits of deferring:

• Not all programs may be available online, so it would be prudent to defer and pursue the desired course in-person
• You can retain the value of education that you are looking, for as remote learning is not likely to be as effective as in-person instruction. You will miss personal interactions with fellow students and teachers, which is important for knowledge exchange. In essence, the quality of education will not be the same in the online mode.
• You may consider this time as a ‘gap year’ and re-evaluate your study options and career goals by taking up short-term course and gaining some work exposure
• Please be informed that if your university allows you to defer the admission, then you have something in hand for the following year. If you have earned an admission this year, it in no way implies that you will get ACCEPTED next year as well, as the competition is likely to heat up and be tougher (considering the number of applicants will be more if the current situation continues to prevail). There is a possibility that you may not get the coveted ADMIT from your desired university in the ensuing year.

 Shortcomings of deferring

• The general presumption is that it would not be easy to get back into the groove and resume classes due to the break-in continuity and loss of academic momentum, irrespective of the academic pursuits that you intend to take up during the deferral period.
• In case you have been granted any scholarship or bursary, you will not be able to avail of these financial aids if there is a ‘no deferral’ clause attached, and you defer your enrollment

As universities continue to plan and prepare for the immediate and long-term challenges brought about by COVID-19, we hope that you will weigh the emerging scenarios with prudence, foresight, and caution, as the onus to defer or not entirely lies with you.