Some university systems, such as those in the U. K. and Canada, allow a seven-day period during which you can decline admission to a college after accepting with no negative consequences. Check to see if there is such a deadline where you live. Typically it’s best to call since admissions staff will be swamped with emails. You may want to follow up with a written letter discussing the phone call so there’s a record. If there’s someone specific you’ve been talking to about your admission already, try to get in touch with them.
For example, if you’ve decided you want to go to another school that gave you a better offer, or for another reason, simply say so. If you’ve decided you want to take a gap year, you may not have to decline admission. You can simply defer or postpone it. Again, rather than using those specific words, which may have a specific meaning for that school, simply say “I want to start next fall instead of this fall. "
In some cases, being honest about your reasons may open up other options for you. For example, admissions staff typically will be more willing to work with you if you have to decline admission for a reason outside your control, such as a serious illness or an ongoing family crisis.
If you take an attitude or are rude, word of your behavior may spread. For example, suppose you’re declining admission to Good University so that you can go to Best College. If you’re rude to GU admissions staff, they may call the admissions office at BC and tell them about it.
Check your admissions paperwork to see if the deposit is non-refundable. Even if it is, if you have a serious reason for declining admission, such as a medical crisis, you may qualify for an exception. If at all possible, you want to let them know that you’ve changed your mind about going there before you put down money for a deposit. That way you won’t risk losing that money.
A gap year allows you to postpone your higher education for a year while you travel, work for a nonprofit, or do other types of educational or exploratory activities. When you return, you won’t have to reapply to the school. For schools that don’t support or recognize a gap year, there may be other options available to you, or you may be able to postpone your admission a semester.
At the latest, you shouldn’t wait until after your first tuition payment is due to ask admissions for a deferral. At that stage, it may be all but impossible for your admission to be deferred.
Some schools require a full, written proposal. Check with the school to find out what their requirements are and any due dates you need to be aware of.
Use a business letter format – there should be a template on your word-processing app – and proofread carefully. Make a copy of your letter after you sign it, for your own records. If the school has any particular forms or information that you are supposed to provide, include that with your letter. If you don’t hear anything within a reasonable amount of time, follow up with a phone call. Typically two to four weeks is a reasonable time, depending on how far away the school is. Allow longer for a response if the school is in another country.
It’s also wise to follow up with both your financial aid sources and the school just before the school year starts to make sure nothing was sent for your tuition.
