Deferral request and approval
An admitted student may request to defer to the next year by completing the request to defer form and submitting it to admissions. Deferrals are not automatic. If a student’s request to defer is approved, the student will be required to submit a seat deposit by the deposit deadline, specified in the deferral approval communication. Deferrals are approved for one year only, except in extraordinary circumstances.
If a student is denied a request to defer, they have the right to reapply in a subsequent cycle.
Students who decide not to attend must forfeit their seat and reapply in future cycle.
Deferral confirmation
A student must submit a deposit or intent to enroll by the deposit date specified in their deferral approval and send a written request to defer to admissions, to defer their enrollment to the next year.
Once a student has deferred, the student no longer has a seat in the current year’s incoming class. If the student changes their mind about deferring, they may request to be considered for a seat in the current class, but a seat is not guaranteed.
Scholarship
Scholarships are not guaranteed for deferred students. If a student defers, their scholarship will be reconsidered within the framework of their incoming class when their admission is processed for the new cycle.
Other Law School Matriculation
If a student attends another law school after they have deferred with Mitchell Hamline, but before they begin classes at Mitchell Hamline, the student will forfeit their deposit and seat and be required to reapply. They will no longer be guaranteed their seat in the class. The student may reapply as a transfer student if they wish to receive credit for the courses they took while deferred, or they may reapply as a first-year student. The student will be required to submit their law school transcript as part of their new application regardless of what type of application they submit (e.g., transfer or first year).
Enrollment Status
Deferred students have the same right to request a change to their enrollment option (full time, part time day, part time evening, or part time blended) as any admitted student. When a student changes enrollment option, their scholarship is subject to change. The student must request the change in writing to admissions.
Request to Defer Form
To request a deferral of enrollment, complete the Request to Defer Enrollment Form and return it to admissions@mitchellhamline.edu for review. Deferral requests closes on July 1.