americanabroad wrote:
Hello All,
I am happy to share that I received a R1 acceptance to INSEAD 21D class. Although the start date is still several months away, the uncertainty of COVID-19 does make me apprehensive about attending in case a lot of the program is still run online. My strong preference would be to defer from 21D to 22D or at least 22J.
I have noticed that many students now part of the 21D cohort deferred successfully from 21J. Therefore, it seems as if INSEAD is being fairly accommodating about deferrals. However, when I asked my AO about this, I received pretty vague guidance on how to apply for a deferral. (I can request a deferral with "full details and supporting documents" via email to her.)
Does anyone have successful experience deferring? Any advice to share? (Example: What kind of reasons are deemed acceptable during these pandemic times? What sort of documents are normally asked about?)
Any and all tips appreciated!
Hi
Congratulations on getting the INSEAD admit! On your particular situation:
- INSEAD may have been more accommodating with deferrals in earlier decisions, but as more people defer, INSEAD's ability to pick and create the 21D class decreases, besides opening up unexpected places in 21J. Therefore, going forward, gaining a deferral may be a bit harder than it was in the beginning of this cycle.
- Asking for full details and supporting documents means that INSEAD is asking you to make a case, which is a reasonable ask from anyone asking for deferral. In case you have such commitments (e.g. a family loan you need to pay off as some other family member has been laid off because of COVID), please provide this documentation. If your only reason for deferring is COVID-related disruption (online format/disruptions in seeking jobs) then be upfront about that.
- The documents usually asked for are medical (if someone asks for a deferment for that reason) or financial (if a new/unforeseen financial commitment has come up).
- Finally, please note that deferring may carry extra expenses as well, depending on which class you finally defer to.