Dear kaweewut,

Schools vary on how they handle deferral requests and when they grant deferrals. Since it is possible you will have a scholarship in place to start in fall 2011, then I don't think you should wait to apply as you don't want to apply in the third round. For deferrals, it is always best to ask for one earlier in the admissions cycle than later. So, if you apply in round 1, are admitted, and then find out your scholarship won't be available until fall 2012, it is better for you to ask for the deferral in December 2010 than in May/June of 2011. If a school has time to "replace" you in the class, then it is more amenable to granting a deferral.

Having said all of that though, I strongly encourage you to get a sense from your company on when the scholarship would be available once you know if you will receive it. For instance, if you are approved for it this year, but it still would not be available until fall 2012, then you would know to wait on your applications.

Good luck,
Lisa