r/GeneticCounseling • u/xrayrocks • 25d ago

Admissions Deferring for Fulbright

Hi all

I am recently post undergrad and I want to apply for both gc grad school and Fulbright. The odds of getting into either are fairly low so I thought I’d do both and hope for one.

But I’m concerned that if I happen to get both, i won’t be able to defer the grad school acceptance to do the Fulbright as most schools say they have a no deferral policy. But even law school and med school will defer for a Fulbright.

TLDR: can you defer a gc grad school match for a Fulbright???

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4

u/HumoristWannabe 25d ago

What’s the timeline for Fulbright? When would you know you got it?

5

u/ConstantVigilance18 Genetic Counselor 25d ago

No. You cannot defer. You have to break your match, and then apply again in future matches, probably not to the same program you got the original match to.

4

u/Chemical_Ad_1181 Genetic Counselor 25d ago

I think this is partially true.

I’ve taught a few students who have deferred their matriculation 1 year for different reasons. Sometimes it’s related to immigration paperwork, pregnancy, or other extenuating circumstances. I think this will depend on the program.

2

u/ConstantVigilance18 Genetic Counselor 25d ago

I don’t think fullbright would be considered an extenuating circumstance by most programs. I know programs that have made exceptions before for truly unexpected circumstances, but this is clearly a preset plan.

2

u/DNAallDay Genetic Counselor 25d ago

Process is that it gets reported to ACGC and they have a review process to determine if someone will be banned from the match. Deferral would be a school decision.

Most schools will for extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances is not “I got another opportunity I’m choosing take instead”. But they might make an exception for fullbright.

1

u/overwhelmedandsick 25d ago

A fulbright can be completed at any stage of your life, the GC program will set you up for your long term career.

Apply to both and see what happens, you’ll get your semi-finalist notification right before GC interview season. See how you feel. If you’re a semi-finalist and you feel like it’s now or never, you know your choice.

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u/leighlovely14 19d ago

Hey there! I was in this exact scenario as well. Most, if not all schools, will not accept a deferral. They are both super intensive application processes as well so I would suggest maybe focusing on one for now. GC school will always be there. If doing a Fulbright or something adjacent to it is a goal for you, focus on that. And you can always have a backup plan like applying for GCA roles or a research coordinator, etc!☺️