Matriculation Deferral Policy Statement
The School of Medicine expects prospective students to commence their medical education in the matriculation year for which they applied and were accepted into the medical education program. Matriculation deferrals are considered only for unexpected and extraordinary circumstances and must, at minimum, meet one of the following criteria to be considered:
- A serious medical condition experienced by the accepted applicant.
- A personal circumstance that may interrupt or greatly interfere with an accepted applicant’s medical training.
Procedures and Guidelines
- Deferral Authority: The Associate Dean for Admissions determines if the deferral request will be granted. The Associate Dean for Admissions seeks guidance from the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the appropriate regional deans in making deferral decisions. Deferral decisions are communicated to the accepted applicant through the Admissions Office.
- Deferral Deadlines: All requests for deferral must be submitted in writing to the Admissions Office no later than June 1 of the matriculation year. An exception to this deadline may be made for medically related deferral requests.
- Deferral Period: If a deferral is granted, matriculation is deferred for one year. An exception of one additional deferral may be made only for extraordinary circumstances, as determined by the Associate Dean for Admissions.
- Deferral Obligations: Accepted applicants who are granted a deferral are obligated to commence their medical education at the School of Medicine the following academic year. Accepted applicants who are granted a deferral are prohibited from applying to other medical schools for the duration of the deferral period and a Deferral Contract is signed by the applicant indicating understanding of and agreement to this restriction.
Effective: E20 class and entering classes thereafter
Last updated: February 2, 2020
Policy Contact: UW School of Medicine, Admissions Office, askuwadm@uw.edu; Education Quality Improvement Office, eqi@uw.edu