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Deferring Admission

Students admitted to the College of Arts & Sciences may request to defer their admission for up to one year to pursue opportunities that will further enrich their preparation for college. Rare exceptions are made for students who wish to defer for two years. Deferrals are typically approved for opportunities including travel, service, personal study or another pursuit.

Prior to requesting a deferral, we encourage students to discuss their plans with their admission counselor who can assist with the steps below.

  • To request a deferral
    • Submit the Reply to the Offer of Admission form in your applicant status page and submit the $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit by the enrollment deadline noted on your applicant status page. Please understand there are no circumstances under which a deposit is refunded.
    • Email the Office of Undergraduate Admission at bearcat@willamette.edu to request a deferral. The Request for a Deferred Enrollment form will be added to your applicant status page. You will be able to provide more information about the length of your requested deferral and what you plan to do during the time period.
    • Your request will be reviewed by the Dean of Undergraduate Admission and you will be notified via email and through your applicant status page within two weeks. If approved, your enrollment will be updated to the new entry term.
  • During the deferral period
    • You are expected to check your email address regularly and reply to updates as necessary.
    • You will be asked to reconfirm your enrollment by the dates below. Should your plans for enrollment change, you must notify the Office of Undergraduate Admission as soon as possible. If you fail to reconfirm your enrollment by the deadline, your application will be closed and enrollment canceled. You will forfeit the deposit paid.
    • If you wish to be considered for need-based financial aid, you should reapply with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
  • Terms for approved deferrals
    • You are required to reply to your offer of admission and submit the $500 non-refundable deposit to hold your place in the future class.
    • You may not submit deposits for enrollment or deferred enrollment at any other institution.
    • You must notify all other colleges to which you were admitted of your decision to enroll at Willamette University.
    • You may not enroll on a full-time basis at another college or university during the deferral period. You may take limited coursework to maintain academic focus. You must submit an official transcript for all coursework completed regardless of your intention to transfer or apply the credit to your Willamette degree.
    • Deferrals may be approved for one semester (fall to spring or spring to fall) or one year (fall to fall or spring to spring). We strongly encourage first-time freshmen to begin coursework in the fall semester. Deferrals for two years will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
    • Should you choose to apply for admission to other institutions during the deferral period, you must contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission to close your application and cancel your enrollment. You will forfeit the deposit paid.
    • An approved deferral secures your merit-based scholarship; however, as need-based aid is awarded annually based on information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you must resubmit your FAFSA in the year of enrollment.

Deadlines

Please note the deadline to request a deferral based on your original admission application. Should your deferral be approved, we will ask you to reconfirm your enrollment by the deadline listed for your new entry term.

Deadlines to Request a Deferral

(Based on the Original Application Term)

Original Application Term Deferral Request Deadline
Fall 2023 June 30, 2023
Spring 2024 January 5, 2024
Fall 2024 June 30, 2024
Spring 2025 January 3, 2025
Fall 2025 June 30, 2025

Deadlines to Reconfirm Enrollment

(Based on the New Entry Term)

New Entry Term Deadline to Reconfirm Enrollment
Spring 2024 December 8, 2023
Fall 2024 January 15, 2024
Spring 2025 December 6, 2024
Fall 2025 January 15, 2025
Spring 2026 December 5, 2025
Fall 2026 January 15, 2026
Spring 2027 December 4, 2026
Fall 2027 January 15, 2027
Willamette University

Office of Admission

Salem Campus

Address
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6303 voice
1-844-BEARCAT toll free
503-375-5363 fax
503-375-5383 TDD