Deferred usually means the school has agreed to it. They may put limits and rules on it but if they agree they expect to follow thru. Get any deferrals in writing. 

However, the 2 people who I know that have deferred were not in an architecture program, and they also had good reason (family illness, etc). They had a 1 year deferral and did not need to be accepted again as long as they met deadlines with their paperwork and money that the school asked for. One did lose a scholarship though.  Some schools do make you re apply.

Flat out turning them down then reapplying I dont know. Might insult them 

Good luck with your decision

Thanks for your response.

Yea, I feel you about the insult part.  But I already paid the deposit, so they know I am going to be a student for next year. 

But right now I just want to re-apply to see if i can get into my target school again, but i don't know what will happen next year and if it's going to be same like this year. Looking for a safety net just in case if next year falls through. 

Ask yourself if your portfolio/statement/GRE/letter (whatever lacked) are going to be significantly better from now until you re-apply. If not, then you should consider other schools.

It's only insulting to the school if you haven't improved your application.

I would get a solid internship ASAP if you are re-applying.

Also, what are your reasons for wanting to go to the school that you got rejected from this time 'round? Have you visited both schools/spoken with current and recent graduates of the program? Just make sure that you aren't wasting your time applying a second time only to realize that that school isn't actually the best fit for you.

@anxiety - i think for sure i can improve all the materials you have stated.  and  i'm still working for the internship since last year, but i do want to try someone else. although the firm im working for now is pretty rad.

and anxiety - you were kinda in a similar dilemma as I was..you got into one school last year correct? but you decided not to go, and this time around, you got into the same school and you are going this time?

what parts of your application did you try to improve and did it?

@byen01 - well main reasons to go to my target school are : close to home (gotta take care of the 'rents), cheaper (instate tuition), and the program fits me quite well in education and professional career. I have thought about whether I was going to waste my time or not - but there's more pros than not deferring.

1. the school i got into was not my first choice. it was on the bottom of my list. still a good program, but pricey.

2.  save up more money 

3. i continue to work in my rad firm, but have the opportunity to try new firms as well.

4. have the chance to re-apply to my target schools.

but if that school doesn't let me defer, i have no idea whether i should go or not

@batman

No, I didn't apply last year, this is my first and last application. I wanted to have a strong grasp of modeling/rendering and efficiency in production before starting grad school.

A strong portfolio will help with getting financial awards.

I remember I applied to Virginia Tech for undregrad, they acceppted me under some probation program. Applied for grad school and got denied. Even though my college gpa and portfolio were stronger/higher than my high school's. Logic in that?

Anyways batman your resoning seems logical.

@batman

I'm assuming you are still second thinking what we've talked about with trace...if that's the case yea tough decision. It sounds to me that you are still positive and ambitious and I tip my hat to you for that. If you are still fairly young and you want to follow your goals of going to your top dream school ( I mean heck make the money worth it right?), I think you still have a good chance getting there. Keep me posted and good luck!

i deferred masters one year so i could save more money to pay for it. 

wasn't a big deal and seemed as normal as normal could be as far as process went.  as long as your school allows you to defer wouldn't worry about it...

@batman

If your school allow you to defer, just do do it then. A number of architecture schools do not allow to defer. You're supposed to either decline or accept by deadline.

If you decided to not to go there when you're admitted first time, most of of the people end up going somewhere else next year. I think schools knows that trend and try to recruit admitted students as much as they can. It's almost like dating, either you hit or miss. In my case, I miss :P I end up going another school.

I'm not sure what is your dream school batman. GSD? Are you trying to get into schools like UCLA  or UVA ? Columbia is definitely a good school and location is awesome too. If you're comfortable with their pedagogy and cost, go for it. If not, don't do it. You don't want curse yourself at studio everyday and night.

right now I have no idea if CU allows me to defer, but reading their undergrad policy they allow deferment if there are family emergencies or other circumstances that seems reasonable for deferment.

However, there is nothing about deferment for grad school, but I will assume it goes by the same policy. If it is, I am not sure if "i would like to save up more for money" is a good reason to do so as I used it before the deposit was due.

But, since I did pay for the deposit, they should know my intentions are to intend. Just..what reason now?

This may be the biggest gamble of my life and probably one of the toughest choices I have to make. 

And you're right @Tee002..I think about that all the time. CU is a good school, but I still didn't get a good feel for it.  I don't want to attend it just for the name (as its pricey) and I'm stuck every night bitching and whining about every single thing.

@narddong - I'm still fairly young..25.  I think right now the biggest reason to attend CU is the MSRED...BUT...A BIG BUT.. I still have to apply to the program. So another gamble is..what if I don't get in?? 

Also my employer feels that CU is the east coast version of UCLA. I can't comment on that, but if that is the general consensus, then I feel like UCLA is a better choice (IMO). bang of the buck. 

Ha batman saw your email thread on this as well. Small world in the echelons of architecture.

I'm almost positive they won't let you defer. However I applied to schools two years ago and decided not to go. Re-applied this year and still got into the exact same schools (including the one you're thinking about), with better aid packages. My portfolio was nearly identical outside 1 additional professional project, but I did have more work experience, higher GRE scores, and according to my recommenders a more focused and less idealistic essay statement.

Completely understand how much you're stressing about it...I was there doing the exact same thing, but I don't understand why now...you already made your deposit, and don't have to look for housing until the middle of July....that's your only worry. You've got 2 months to continue thinking or looking for jobs if that's what you want.

If you aren't feeling it or 100% committed...I personally would plan on not going. You will get in somewhere for sure next year if you update some things. Arch grad schools is very, very intense. It's better to be sure than be sitting there exhausted at 2:30 am studying for an Arch history course that you're not interested in, wondering why you came here. Friends of mine at the top schools always note that at least 5%-10% kids drop out after a semester or year, wasting 10-40k. 

If you're interested in other things...go pursue them. IMO there are bigger downsides deciding to go rather than deciding to take another year off. But if in early July you have a change of heart and just want to get school out of the way...decide to go. PM me and I can hook you up with a couch while you look for apartments. 

@rztz..email thread?  you mean the CU google group one? 

thanks for looking out, man.