U.S. News & World Report spoke to Scripps Vice President for Enrollment Victoria Romero to gain insights on how students can defer college enrollment and what they should consider before taking time off.
Student-requested deferrals are not uncommon and can stem from a student’s desire to gain career experience, pursue enriching opportunities, or simply prepare for college life. Since requests for deferral are not automatically approved, Romero recommends students develop a plan outlining their time off to submit in compliance with their institution’s deferral request guidelines.
“Some institutions require a detailed plan and others require only a broad framework, with room for flexibility,” she says.
In the piece, Romero also says students should assess how deferral may affect their academic interests, career goals, and future expenses, advising them to “evaluate the cost of deferring college, including any added expenses associated with activities during the gap year or other personal costs.”