Graduate Information

If you have applied to a PhD program, the Creative Writing MFA, or the Playwriting MFA at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) but have not yet received an admissions decision and your plans have changed, you cannot request a deferral of your application.  Instead, you may request a withdrawal of your application by sending an email to grsphd@bu.edu (please include your full name, name of program & degree, and Application ID or BU ID).  You will need to reapply in a future year.

If you have been offered admission to a PhD program, the Creative Writing MFA, or the Playwriting MFA at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) and have accepted admission by the deadline, but wish to start the following fall:

  • You may request a deferral of your application for one full year from your original application term (i.e. from fall 2025 to fall 2026).
  • You may only request a deferral for the same program to which you originally applied. If you wish to enter a different program, you must complete a new application.
  • A request for deferral is not a guarantee of re-admission, but rather a request that your original application be evaluated for admission for a future semester.  Please be aware that your program may not approve your deferral or may not accept applicants for particular terms.
  • The deadline for submission of the Deferral Request Form is August 1 for fall term applicants and January 1 for spring term applicants.  Deferral requests will not be considered after these dates.

To Request a Deferral:

  • Complete and submit the PhD/MFA Deferral Request Form.
  • Your original application credentials are kept on file for one year so you need not resubmit them, unless you would like to provide updates. If you wish to submit updated materials such as a personal statement or resume, please contact Graduate School Admissions at the beginning of the admissions cycle (early September).
  • You will not need to pay another application fee.
  • International students who are approved for deferral will be required to submit updated international student documentation (including financial support). Students will be notified by the Graduate School Admissions Office when this required documentation becomes necessary.

 

REMINDER: If you were not offered admission, you are not eligible for deferral.  In this instance, you must submit a new application and pay the application fee.