How to Write a College Deferral Letter for a Gap Year

With college decisions looming, many high school seniors are weighing their options and trying to decide what their post-graduation life will look like. Let’s start this conversation by talking about some numbers from GYA’s 2020 National Alumni Survey, which analyzed responses from 1,190 gap year alumni across the United States:

• 97% of gap year alumni reported an increase in maturity and self-confidence as a result of their gap year experience
• 84% of gap year alumni reported an increase in academic motivation following their gap year, and 83% enrolled in a 4-year degree program within a year of completing their gap year (so NO, you won’t lose academic momentum on a gap year!)
• 95% of gap year alumni felt that their gap year helped prepare them for their next transition to education or career

There are many benefits to taking an intentional gap year before starting college, not least of which is the evidence that students who start college after an intentional gap year tend to over-perform academically, finish their degrees in less time than the national average, and have a higher degree of maturity and direction during their time on campus. 

That being said, we typically encourage high school seniors—even those who are already set on taking a gap year—to apply for colleges before their gap year starts, while they still have easy access to resources at their high school such as college advisors and sources for recommendation letters. Once accepted, students can then request to defer their acceptance, paving the way for a meaningful gap year without the added stress of seeking college admissions down the road.  

1. 

   DEFERRAL POLICIES. Policies differ between institutions, and your college of choice may or may not have a formal deferral policy in place. Do your research and make sure you are aware of your institution’s stance on deferrals, and any accompanying deadlines for requesting a deferred acceptance. 
2. FINANCIAL AID. Finances will likely play a large role in your decision-making process. If you have been awarded any private or merit-based scholarships, make sure you know whether or not they will still be available to you after a deferral. If you are seeking federal financial aid for college expenses, you will need to reapply for FAFSA for the academic year in which you plan to enroll. 
3. ACCEPTING ADMISSION. If you are accepted to more than one college/university, you may decide to request deferrals at more than one institution before making a commitment to a particular school. However, if you are offered more than one deferred acceptance, we recommend that students only commit to a SINGLE acceptance, as it is unethical to disingenuously promise attendance at more than one institution. 

If you decide to formally request a deferral, many schools will require you to submit a personal essay or letter about your reasons for the request. Once you’ve done your research and confirmed that your school(s) of choice will accept and review a deferral letter, here are some guidelines for drafting an effective letter:

1. EMPHASIZE YOUR INTEREST IN THE SCHOOL. One of your primary objectives in the letter should be to demonstrate your continued interest in attending a particular school: make it clear that should your deferral request be approved, you would plan on attending following your deferral year.
2. EXPLAIN YOUR “WHY.” Explain the intentions behind your gap year, what you hope to do and achieve during your gap time, and why the experience will make you a more valuable member of the campus community once you attend college/university.
3. BE SUCCINCT. Deferral letters should be clear and brief. Highlight your candidacy as a student and reiterate your attendance intentions, but avoid rehashing details from your admissions essay(s) that you already submitted with your initial application.
4. BE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR GOALS. The admissions representative reading your letter should feel confident that:
   • you’ll accept admission if they extend it,
   • you have an intentional plan for personal growth and enrichment during your gap year, and
   • you’ll be well-situated to take advantage of your education if and when you arrive on campus.

Want additional guidance around drafting an effective college deferral letter for your gap year? Check out the following advice and sample deferral letters from GYA Accredited Gap Year Consultants:

• “Here’s How to Write Your College Deferral Letter in 2023,” by Julia Rogers of EnRoute Consulting
• “How to Write a College Deferral Letter, Using an Oreo Cookie,” by Jane Sarouhan of J2Guides