RESOURCES
2024-03-13
How to Write a Deferral Letter
Learn how to craft an effective deferral letter with our step-by-step guide. Get tips on proper formatting and content now!
Published by Tilting Futures
The end of your high school education is an exciting time. You’ve heard from all the colleges you applied to, and you’ve picked the perfect school. Congratulations! Some people at this point will jump straight into classes, but that’s not the only path you can take. More and more people are seeing the value of taking a gap year to gain new skills, achieve goals, and even see the world.
If you’re taking a gap year, you’ll want your college to hold your spot, so you can dive in when you return. To do this, you’ll need to defer. That’s an official term where a school will hold your spot for a certain period of time. To be able to officially defer, you’ll likely need to write a deferral letter. Read on to learn more about what this letter is and to find everything you need to write an effective letter.
Can I Defer College Admission for a Gap Year?
Many universities will let students defer for a gap year. Some students will defer because their financial situation has changed, and they need time to work. Or they might need time to gain in-state residency for tuition. Others will do so to join a program that provides priceless growth opportunities. For example, Tilting Futures offers the Take Action Lab, which is an immersive program where you can take on global challenges and learn from some of the best minds around. Most schools will allow you to take a gap year to experience something like this.
Ultimately, every school is different, and to determine if you’re allowed to defer admission, you’ll want to contact your college.
Do I Need to Write a Deferral Letter for a Gap Year?
Most deferment-friendly schools will require you to submit an official document about your request to defer. Usually, this will be in the form of a deferral letter because it’s an easy way for you to formally let the school know about your plans for your gap year.
If your request for a gap year is granted, you’ll usually have to put down a deposit to secure your spot. The good news is that you’re also not required to attend after that year. You might go out and have new experiences and change your mind about what you want to do for school. That’s okay! It happens to some people, and you can then shift toward what you are going to do next.
When to Send a Deferral Letter
You should write and submit a deferral letter before you accept your place in the class and pay your deposit. If you’ve already accepted, you can still request a deferral, but it can be more logistically complicated for the admissions office. This timeline means you’ll usually send a deferral letter during the spring—after you’ve heard back on admissions but several weeks before the deadline for accepting your spot.
Pay close attention to deadlines. You don’t want to miss the opportunity to accept your spot at your dream school because you waited too long to defer properly. Try to send your deferral letter with at least a month of buffer time before the deadline to accept or decline admission. That should give the admissions committee plenty of time to evaluate your letter and decide if they want to grant you a deferral. In general, most schools have deadlines between May and July.
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Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Deferral Letter
If you’re looking to write a deferral letter, here are the steps to making an effective one:
Heading and greeting
Start with a formal greeting, like “Dear Office of Undergraduate Admissions” or the full name of the admissions officer if you know it. Greetings like “Hi” or “Hey” are generally too informal for a letter like this. Your school might have a specific header they want you to use. If so, make sure to download it and put it on your document.
Introduction paragraph
You’ll want to start off the letter by being very clear about what you’re asking. Tell them that you’re looking to defer for a gap year. Include any identifying information and the class that you were accepted to. Then take a few sentences to explain what you love about the college and why it’s a good fit for you.
Body paragraphs
The main portion of your letter should be dedicated to explaining your itinerary for your gap year. The most important thing about this section is to get specific. Give the admissions committee all of the details about what you’re doing and what that could do for you. If you’re doing an official program, include the sponsor, where it’ll take place, when you’ll do it, and what skills and experiences you’ll have. Dedicate at least one paragraph to each program or activity you’ll be doing.
In general, the letter only needs to be about a page long. You can tailor it based on the specific requirements your school gives you.
Conclusion
Reaffirm your commitment to attend the school in a year and thank the admissions committee. You might also include a sentence about how you’ll be a better member of the university community with these experiences in your gap year. Conclude by saying you hope that they’ll grant your request and welcome you into the next year’s class.
Closing
Conclude with a sign-off like “sincerely” and your full name.
What to Do After Sending a Deferral Letter
After you send your letter, check your email or university account regularly to see if your request has been accepted yet. If you don’t hear from the admissions committee within two weeks, consider reaching out again. That can help you make plans well before the deadline for acceptance.
Bottom Line
Overall, a gap year can be a powerful experience for your own development, and a deferral letter can help you make that happen. These steps should help you write your own letter confidently.
A gap year is the perfect time to participate in Take Action Lab. This is an experience to move abroad, live in fascinating communities, participate in human rights work, and provide a year of service. You’ll learn more about the world and yourself from this kind of gap year experience. Apply now to get started with this amazing gap year opportunity!
