Defer Question

Question

Is it possible for a waitlisted R4 applicant to respectfully "negotiate" with the admissions committee to offer to be deferred for a year in exchange for guaranteed admissions the following year and a commitment to attend? This only helps an applicant whose circumstances allow them to defer, which mine do. It helps the school, as they are able to have a candidate who is pretty much qualified, and may very well have been accepted R1-3, commit to enrolling, which helps their yield. At least that was how it was explained to me. I know this is fairly common in law school circles, as many people I know have done this successfully. Anybody know if it is done with b-schools? Is it worth a shot?

Thanks,

Tom

Thanks,

Tom

mba2010 · Answer

I have never heard of such a thing, but it never hurts to ask. The worst they can do is say no.

3underscore · Answer

Highly unlikely - only a few schools allow admitted students to defer, let alone waitlisted candidates. But, as mentioned above, it can hardly hurt to ask (well, it could, because it won't turn to an admit this year, which it still could)

seyhey0 · Answer

Thanks for the responses... I sent out an e-mail, I guess I'll wait for a reply. I don't really think it will happen but it really can't hurt, as I said that I am more than happy to remain on the waitlist if this is not a practice at their school.

Tom

Tom

agold · Answer

I heard Duke is offering waitlisted candidates the option to delay their matriculation 1-year and be guaranteed a spot in next year's entering class.

seyhey0 · Answer

Thanks for the tip -- unfortunately, Duke isn't the school where I've applied. My situation is a bit unusual in that I'm applying to the JD/MBA program and I have been admitted to the JD program already, and will begin that in the Fall, and therefore wouldnt be beginning MBA courses until Fall of 2009 anyway. That's why I am hoping that my case might be a bit different. But it is re-assuring to here that this is not unheard of in the business school world.

dosa_don · Answer

I believe it is not being offered to ALL WL candidates- the deferral is being offered to a select group of WL candidates, so-called the "priority WL".

seyhey0 · Answer

Right I wouldn't have assumed they could afford to offer it to all the WL candidates. They pretty much select the most qualified ones. In my email to my school I tried to stress why I should be one of these candidates. I don't expect much, but I figured it was worth a try. They haven't gotten back to me yet. Probably haven't finished laughing at me yet.

fooFighter · Answer

The application process gets more competitive every year, so accepting a WL for next year seems highly unlikely man. But hope for the best.

seyhey0 · Answer

Right. I happen to be in a decent situation in that my interviewer told me that I am highly qualified, but that R4 is very difficult, and I should definitely re-apply next year, since I can, as I'm doing a JD/(hopefully MBA). But I just dont want to have to go through the process again next year so I'm hoping they either let me do this, or I somehow get off the waitlist. We shall see. Still no response - must still be laughing at my request.

Defer Question

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