Deferring Your Admission
I was admitted to Baylor. Can I defer?
Students offered admission to Baylor University may request a deferral of enrollment before May 1, which must be approved by the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Deferrals are intended to be granted for intentional occasions in which the student chooses not to begin his or her studies at Baylor University in the term for which he or she was admitted. Examples of intentional deferrals may include, but are not limited to: a religious activity, community service project, or world travel. Deferrals are not granted for financial reasons. Deferral requests are evaluated on their merits, and are not automatically approved simply because they were submitted on time.
Deadlines and Instructions
First-year students admitted under Early Decision, Early Action or Regular Decision are allowed to apply for deferred enrollment; however, this option is not available to transfers. Deferrals are granted for students wishing to defer for 1 (fall to spring) or 2 (fall to fall) semesters.
Requests for deferral should be made no later than May 1. If you are interested in deferring, you must complete the Deferral Request form, which is located in your goBAYLOR account under ‘Cancel Admission’. The form will ask about your plans for the next year and will confirm you will not be enrolling in a degree-granting program or coursework at another college/university.
Before your deferral request may be reviewed, you must submit your $500 enrollment deposit in goBAYLOR. Baylor will provide notification of deferral approval or denial. If the deferral is granted, Baylor will communicate your next steps in the early spring, prior to your new entry term. If a deferral request is denied, you will need to reapply for a future semester.
Terms for Approved Deferrals:
- You may not submit deposits or hold spaces at any other institutions.
- You may not enroll at another institution during the deferral period or complete college coursework.
- You may not apply for admission to other colleges or universities during the deferral period.
- You must notify all other institutions to which you have gained admission of your decision to defer enrollment at Baylor.
Terms for Approved Deferral Financial Aid & Scholarships:
Financial aid, both merit scholarships and need-based aid, are not guaranteed to remain the same and will be reevaluated upon reconfirmation of admission the following year.
Special Program Status
If you have been accepted into the Honors College, Baylor Business Fellows, Science Research Fellows, Aviation Sciences (Professional Pilot concentration), Music or Theatre program, you will need to notify them of your intent to defer enrollment.
Housing
If you have received a housing assignment, it will be void and you will submit a new Housing Application when you plan to enroll.
Expectations
We regard an admissions deferral as a mutual commitment. We agree to hold a spot for you at Baylor, and you agree to enter at the time of your new start term. Students planning on applying to other colleges during their deferment period should not seek an admissions deferral.