Should I defer? / How soon do I have to decide? Forum

[zazmo2]

I sent my intent to enroll at Harvard, but I've realized quite recently that I would really benefit from a gap year between undergrad and law school. I know I want to go to law school, but I think a year off, saving money, and ideally doing some sort of service work related to my field of interest would be beneficial.

I don't have an actual plan yet, and I'm not sure how much time I have to figure this out. The Harvard website is pretty unclear about the deferral deadline -- "We rarely turn down a request for a deferral if it is made in a timely manner." Have I already missed the deadline for a "timely" deferral?

Does anyone have any experience with deferring? Is it pretty much always a good idea for a K-JD, or only worthwhile if I have a clear plan, job, or program already in place to fill the time? Am I too late to even ask these questions?

[rinkrat19]

It's getting pretty late to ask for a deferral. I deferred a year at NU and I requested it in January. But all you can do is ask, giving some legit reasons for it (not just "I wanna party in Europe for a year" or similar) and the worst they can do is say no. Then you'd decide whether to attend this year or withdraw and reapply next year.

And yes, deferring is pretty pointless if you're not going to DO something for that year. Whether it's get a job or travel or whatever, it should be more than a vague though that a gap year would be good.

[JustHawkin]

It's getting pretty late to ask for a deferral. I deferred a year at NU and I requested it in January. But all you can do is ask, giving some legit reasons for it (not just "I wanna party in Europe for a year" or similar) and the worst they can do is say no. Then you'd decide whether to attend this year or withdraw and reapply next year.

And yes, deferring is pretty pointless if you're not going to DO something for that year. Whether it's get a job or travel or whatever, it should be more than a vague though that a gap year would be good.

How did NU handle scholarship, if at all, with your deferral? PM if you must!!

[rinkrat19]

It's getting pretty late to ask for a deferral. I deferred a year at NU and I requested it in January. But all you can do is ask, giving some legit reasons for it (not just "I wanna party in Europe for a year" or similar) and the worst they can do is say no. Then you'd decide whether to attend this year or withdraw and reapply next year.

And yes, deferring is pretty pointless if you're not going to DO something for that year. Whether it's get a job or travel or whatever, it should be more than a vague though that a gap year would be good.

How did NU handle scholarship, if at all, with your deferral? PM if you must!!

I'd already committed to deferring before NU passed out scholarships, so I had to apply for money the next year with my entering class. Turned out that I got a medium-ish scholly.

[JustHawkin]

I'd already committed to deferring before NU passed out scholarships, so I had to apply for money the next year with my entering class. Turned out that I got a medium-ish scholly.

Do you feel you took a big risk, as far as scholarship is concerned?

[Pancakes12]

I sent my intent to enroll at Harvard, but I've realized quite recently that I would really benefit from a gap year between undergrad and law school. I know I want to go to law school, but I think a year off, saving money, and ideally doing some sort of service work related to my field of interest (reproductive justice policy) would be beneficial.

I don't have an actual plan yet, and I'm not sure how much time I have to figure this out. The Harvard website is pretty unclear about the deferral deadline -- "We rarely turn down a request for a deferral if it is made in a timely manner." Have I already missed the deadline for a "timely" deferral?

Does anyone have any experience with deferring? Is it pretty much always a good idea for a K-JD, or only worthwhile if I have a clear plan, job, or program already in place to fill the time? Am I too late to even ask these questions?

Deadline for harvard deferral is today. It's basically guaranteed if you have a plan. If you decide by June 1, they'll consider it but it's not as easy.