Reapplying to schools that you were previously accepted to? Forum

[FreddyBigShot]

I'm considering reapplying next year. For one thing, I'd like another crack at the LSAT, but more importantly there is currently an illness in the family and I'd like to stay home until that subsides. Because of this, I'm thinking about reapplying next cycle or in the fall of 2011. However, I've been accepted into some nice schools that I really like (and I'm not a shoe-in, though they weren't reaches either). I'm somewhat worried that if I reapply after these schools already accepted me that they won't look fondly on my application and will think, "Why should we admit him again? We already gave him a shot and he turned us down. Wait list pile or reject." Is this a valid concern? Should I perhaps communicate to the schools why I will not be attending in the fall? I'm still not entirely sure whether I'll postpone for a year, but am I taking a risk? Any and all advice is MUCH appreciated.

[icydash]

I'm interested in the answer to this also.

From what I gather, it really depends. If you want to stay admitted at a school you got accepted to, but due to family issues can't attend this fall, they may be able to defer you a year. I've personally had this done before, and you don't have to give up your admission.

However, if you reject their admission offer because you want to retake the LSAT and possibly get into a better school, but it doesn't work out/your LSAT doesn't improve so you reapply to their school....they may frown upon this.

If you've been admitted to somewhere you're really happy with, don't want to take the risk of losing your current admission, and are really having family issues, I would write them a letter asking for a deferral.

I'm not really sure, though. I'm interested in other peoples take on this.

[shock259]

Have you applied for a deferral? You'll have to put down a deposit at one of the schools, but it basically lets you push it all back a year. That's what I'm doing.

[Rory1987]

I'm interested in this too. However, I don't have an illness in the family. I just want to to retake the LSAT and wait out the economy another year. Will the schools I've been accepted into, be pissed at all?

[Rory1987]

Also, does anyone know if deferrals are binding? Anyone?

[smov_operator]

Also, does anyone know if deferrals are binding? Anyone?

Most schools require you to sign a document stating that you will not apply to any other schools during the deferral period. But, they can't actually force you to attend their school if you end up changing your mind.

[shock259]

I was granted a deferral from Tulane and it was not binding. They just required me to pay the entire seat deposit now instead of in June.

[Rory1987]

What if said school will not grant me a deferral (I don't have a family illness, I just want to retake the LSAT, wait out the economy and reapply). Will this pose me any problems if I then reapply to the same schools in the fall?

[Olive]

What if said school will not grant me a deferral (I don't have a family illness, I just want to retake the LSAT, wait out the economy and reapply). Will this pose me any problems if I then reapply to the same schools in the fall?

*bump*

I have the same question.

[Zeile]

This thread interests me, too. Someone has to have an answer or at least some input, no?

[icydash]

This thread interests me, too. Someone has to have an answer or at least some input, no?

Haha I think most people on this forum are 0Ls or only had one cycle.

I don't know if we're going to get an answer on this one...but I'm very interested as well.

[akili]

I'm kind of attempting the same thing. If I can get a deferral, then I will just go to one of my top choices, but if not...I will just reapply next year. It's kind of non-negotiable for me that I'm taking a year off.

[Zeile]

Somebody has to know something!!!

[bceagles182]

I'm under the impression that you can't apply elsewhere if you defer. It's basically an agreement that they'll hold you a spot with the understanding that you will attend.

From UVA


Deferral and Reapplication to the School of Law

Students are accepted for admission only for the class currently being selected, with the exception of candidates admitted to a combined-degree program who elect not to begin in the School of Law.

If you are reasonably certain that you will enroll at the University of Virginia in August 2011, you may request to defer your admission by making all required acceptance deposits, confirming your intention to accept your place in the class, and requesting a deferral at that time. Deferred applicants agree not to hold a place in another law school’s entering class, or to apply to other law schools, during the deferral term. We will ask you to reconfirm your intention to enroll by March 1, 2011. Financial aid commitments typically cannot be deferred to a subsequent year, since awards of need-based assistance will require an updated needs analysis for the 2011-12 academic year. Merit-based assistance may be deferred on a case-by-case basis. All deferral requests must be received by the second deposit deadline.

Applicants who do not wish to commit to the University of Virginia may reapply in a subsequent year. Admission to one class does not guarantee admission to a subsequent class. Candidates reapplying for admission must submit all required materials, as we will no longer have the original documents on file.


http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/prospectives/jdapp.htm

[jcl2]

Also, does anyone know if deferrals are binding? Anyone?

Most schools require you to sign a document stating that you will not apply to any other schools during the deferral period. But, they can't actually force you to attend their school if you end up changing your mind.

I actually think most deferrals are not binding, the only one that I've heard of that is is Virginia. FWIW, I deferred last year at the University of Washington and it was not binding, but I didn't end up applying elsewhere and will be going there this fall.

[Zeile]

Hmmmm, interesting. If its not binding, what's in it for the schools to defer us?

[Olive]

Thanks to the people responding, but can some address the other questions? Namely:

I'm somewhat worried that if I reapply after these schools already accepted me that they won't look fondly on my application and will think, "Why should we admit him again? We already gave him a shot and he turned us down. Wait list pile or reject." Is this a valid concern? Should I perhaps communicate to the schools why I will not be attending in the fall? I'm still not entirely sure whether I'll postpone for a year, but am I taking a risk? Any and all advice is MUCH appreciated.

and Roy's question?

Thanks (and sorry if I'm hijacking your thread, Freddy.)

[sdb444]

.

[lkw713]

OP--have you actually talked to people at these schools? My suggestion is talk to them before you make any decisions. They may be able to accomodate you with choices that don't involve a rejection next cycle or a binding deferral. My suggestion is to speak with all of them. That way, at least they'll know next year that you didn't just decide not to go because of some kind bad faith reason. Or they may be able to offer some kind of non-binding deferral or some crazy thing none of us have thought of. You don't have anything to lose by talking to them and just letting them know what your situation is.

[jcl2]

Hmmmm, interesting. If its not binding, what's in it for the schools to defer us?

What is the downside for them? If they don't let you defer you will likely just turn down the offer they gave you this year. The impact of the deferral on the class they are putting together this year is exactly the same as if you just didn't enroll, but with the deferral it will potentially make planning next years class a little easier. With my school anyway, there was an earlier deposit deadline given that I had deferred from the previous year, so they knew for sure that I was coming before they had to finish making decisions for this year. I really don't see any significant downside to a school allowing non-binding deferrals, it is not like they are really going out of their way for you.

[akili]

Here's a tough question: If I get in off the waitlist, will they let me defer?

[wadeny]

Here's a tough question: If I get in off the waitlist, will they let me defer?

From what I gathered last cycle, you usually have no choice but to attend if you decide to enroll after getting in off a WL. I mean, you're basically filling up a free spot in that year's particular class (because of yield, etc). It doesn't make too much sense for the school to reserve a spot for someone who they might not even need (or have space for) in next year's class.

As an example, look at UVA's website (http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/prospe ... itlist.htm):

"If I am offered admission from the waiting list, may I defer my enrollment? No, the deferral option is not available to candidates admitted from the waiting list."

[shock259]

Generally, as I understand it, the stronger applicant you are, the more likely they are to grant you a deferral.

[jkgott]

I am in a similar situation. Applied to a few schools last cycle, got in to one but I decided I did not want to go to law school that cycle and would wait. Meanwhile, I took the LSAT again just to see if I'd improve and am now going to reapply to one of the schools I was accepted to. Should I write an addendum saying why I didn't enroll the first time around? I am above their medians and got a little bit of scholarship money the first time around.