For Fall 2023 first year and transfer applicants to the University of California (UC), who may be considering deferring their enrollment, consider the deferment policies at each campus carefully.
Also, students, who are dependent on financial aid in order to afford college costs, would be prudent to talk with financial aid officers and other academic advisors if any grants, work-study, and student loans will also be deferred at the initially stated amounts.
Lastly, students typically still must submit a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) and the enrollment fees in order to “hold” their spot in the incoming class.
For more details about the deferment policies of each UC campus:
- At UC Berkeley (Cal), incoming undergraduates can apply for deferment, yet admissions officers state, “The Office of Undergraduate Admission rarely approves requests to defer admission to a future term or academic year.”
- UC Davis offers students the option to apply for deferment, only after submitting the initial Statement of Intent to Register (SIR), plus the SIR fee and a $70 deferment application fee.
- On the UC Irvine admissions website, administrators clearly state, “In general, UCI does not defer undergraduate offers of admission.” However, there are rare circumstances in which a deferment may be granted, should the student need.
- For UCLA, admissions officers discourage students from applying for deferment, stating: “UCLA does not grant many deferrals”, although a few exceptions are allowed, like medical necessity.
- UC Merced admissions officers also state, “Generally, admitted students may not defer enrollment; students are admitted to the term for which they applied.” Yet, if needed, students can submit “written requests for deferred enrollment [to] be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.”
- Newly admitted UC San Diego undergraduates can apply for a deferment, yet as stated on the admissions website, “Rare exceptions may be made for admitted students who have received military orders to report for active duty or if you require acute medical care for up to a maximum of one year only.”
- One long time UC Santa Barbara admissions officer shared that incoming first year students are not granted year long deferments. However, students can request to defer enrollment for a quarter based on extenuating circumstances, typically medical need or military service, although with a detailed argument, other reasons will be considered on a case by case basis.
- A UC Riverside admissions officer advised that incoming Fall 2023 first year students cannot defer enrollment until Fall 2024. In select cases, like for medical necessity or military service, a student may be granted deferment for up to a quarter.
- At UC Santa Cruz, an admissions officer stated that incoming students may file a Miscellaneous Appeal to request a deferment until either the Winter 2024 or Fall 2024 quarter for health issues, military service or COVID-19 related circumstances. The UCSC Admissions Director reviews all requests, responding within 4-6 weeks.
On another note: private university admissions officers set their own policies about taking a gap year or deferring admissions for a year. So, if students have changed their view, and need additional time to consider their educational plans before starting college, they should explore their options, communicating with private university officials as needed.
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