Singaporean here! I have to finish two years in my army before attending university. Are UCLA and UCB known for approving deferral for such exceptions?
No.
They are known for welcoming you to reapply once you’ve completed your service.
I do not know, but I do doubt that either would hold a spot for you.
I know students from countries with mandatory military service who matriculated at university for one year before taking leave to comply with mandatory military service in their home country.
You can try assuming you are admitted. A 1 year deferral is rare but 2 years is highly unlikely.
UCLA does not grant many deferrals. Students are only admitted to the term for which they applied. There is no guarantee that a deferral request will be approved. If the request is not approved and you are unable to attend UCLA for Fall 2024, then you have the option to reapply for admission, with no guarantee that you will be admitted for that term.
Undergraduate Admission will generally only grant deferments for admitted students who have/will fulfill the conditions outlined on their admission contract AND meet the following criteria/circumstances*:
- Medical condition(s) and/or treatment(s)
- Active military orders and/or service
- Religious missions
All requests must be submitted for review between April 1–August 15. To submit a request, please log in to the MyApplication Status website. Visit the “Contact Us” link and select “Deferment Request.” Requests sent via email will not be reviewed.
UCB:
The Office of Undergraduate Admission rarely approves requests to defer admission to a future term or academic year. However, students who would like to request a deferral of enrollment may submit the Request for Deferment form. The Request for Deferment form will be available from May 1 to June 15, 2024. You will receive a response to your request for deferment by July 31, 2024.
If you are an International Student still with military obligation at your home country for which you can’t get out of, you best finish that before you apply.
Other Asian countries usually grant deferral from their military service until after you return. But if Singapore doesn’t, then I doubt UC will grant you that to serve in a foreign military. It’s much different when you are already a student and gets called up. BUT you can always call the Registrar’s Office and ask.
Thanks everyone. Ill apply when ive finished my service.