Waitlisted at HLS, will they let me defer or drop out after offer, due to work issue

lsat2016

I am on HLS waitlist snd want to attend if offered. It seems H requires WL to attend if they offer. But its possible that due to a requirement at my current work, I may have to continue at it for one more year. If offered a spot, I want to have a choice to go there next year or reapply next year.
I don't want to withdraw as yet as it's possible I may be able to go this year, but it's uncertain.
What can I do to be able to decide after offer and not affect chances next year?

inactive

Bumping this to the top

danielznelson

Just so I understand, if you get into Harvard, you cannot leave your work? Or is it that you feel compelled to stay?

Accounts Playable

The way I understand waitlists for top schools (currently on Stanford's), is that there is no deferral option; either you go this year or you'd have to decline and reapply.

lsat2016

I may be in the middle of business critical project at work, leaving which could severely impact both the business and my future relation with them.

Can one decline if they end up accepting off WL, and then re-apply next year (not defer)?
Or, would it impact the reapplication?

dennisgerrard

Congrats btw.

JustDoIt

I have heard from several sources that it is more likely than not to negatively affect next years cycle if you turn a school down that you get into. I imagine this is true even more so for waitlists.

Alex

@"Accounts Playable" said:
The way I understand waitlists for top schools (currently on Stanford's), is that there is no deferral option; either you go this year or you'd have to decline and reapply.

Also heard others with experience on HYS waitlist agree.

In any case, congrats, OP! I'll be sending positive vibes your way and hoping you get off and can find a way to attend.

danielznelson

@JustDoIt said:
I have heard from several sources that it is more likely than not to negatively affect next years cycle if you turn a school down that you get into. I imagine this is true even more so for waitlists.

I especially think this would be true for HYS or for schools that give you full-rides. Otherwise, I think you could convince a school not to knock you for next year, since money could be a reasonable reason for turning a school down.

dcdcdcdcdc

First, I think you have to decide if you want to go to HLS. If you do and you have not signed some binding contract with your employer, then I would argue that those who are angered by or don't understand your decision to attend one of the best and most selective law schools are not worth fretting about. I don't know the details of your situation, e.g. If you work for/with family/friends, but if my place of employment tried to guilt trip me out of going to HLS, I wouldn't lose a moment of sleep telling them to deal with it, and I truly enjoy my work.

danielznelson

@dcdcdcdcdc said:
First, I think you have to decide if you want to go to HLS. If you do and you have not signed some binding contract with your employer, then I would argue that those who are angered by or don't understand your decision to attend one of the best and most selective law schools are not worth fretting about. I don't know the details of your situation, e.g. If you work for/with family/friends, but if my place of employment tried to guilt trip me out of going to HLS, I wouldn't lose a moment of sleep telling them to deal with it, and I truly enjoy my work.

Haha, yeah, I'm kind of with you, and with the same caveat that I too don't understand your situation.

But you're getting admitted into one of the most exclusive schools in the world, should you get off the waitlist. I imagine that's not so much your issue anyway. It seems like you're just hoping you can sort of have the best of both worlds, which isn't a bad question at all.