MBA Deferral

[Spring599]

Does anyone have experience with deferred admissions? I'm pursuing a career in the military as an officer and plan on entering business school upon my three year active duty completion. Unfortunately, stop-loss is a common occurance within the military and could possibly increase my active duty committment up to 4 years.

If I apply to bschool in the fall and find out that I have to do another tour (another year), will the schools that accepted me offer a deferral given my circumstances? I understand that they are not common, but would they grant one given that this was beyond my control?

Thanks.

[Paxton Helms - Kaplan]

Hi and thanks for the good question. Most businesss schools require you to apply for the year that you intend to attend and hold you to it. Deferrals are possible but they are rarely granted.

Given your situation, I would think that a deferral might be a reasonable request and that your chances are better than those of the guy who says, "I just got this great offer to work in the Cleveland office for a year --can I postpone?"

That said, let me caution you not to mention this possibility in your application. You do not want to mention any reason that you might not want to or might not be able to attend the programs to which you are applying. Apply, plan on going, and then deal with the need for the deferral later and as necessary.