Delay admission if invited?? Bad economy! Need advice!

[ljmb]

Hello.

I need some advice...

I have been invited to interview at 2 different CRNA programs. I've had one interview and will be interviewing at the second school in a couple of weeks. I have worked so hard over this past 1 1/2 years to get ready for this opportunity...and I've given 1000% to the effort.

Just as I received the first invitation to inteview, I learned that my husband may lose his job (architect)....a symptom of the bad economy.

I am SICCCCKKKK about this...and a little angry (can't help it).

I've waited 20 years for this chance and now I may not be able to go if I actually get in. This disappointment is overwhelming.

I am VERY grateful that I can support the family if necessary but doing so will remove me completely from being able to follow my dreams.

I am hoping that things will turn around and I won't be forced to make this kind of choice but...

Does anyone know if a school will allow you a delayed admission?

Is it possible, if you're invited to attend, to request admission

for the following year?

I can call the schools and inquire, of course...but at this point, I don't want to flag my name as one who may not be able to attend. Just don't want to give them any reason to not invite me.

Anyone know about this???

Thank you!

[Icare4all]

Hi ljmb

I am sorry to about your situation. I am sure many other people are in the same boat. The economy is really bad. I thank GOD everyday for the opportunities I have in my career where I could work as many hours I want to make extra money. My friends are furious about their job.

I am sure you can delay your admission. Go to your interviews, but start school the following year. The admission process cold change next time around.

If your husband loose his job, that could be an opportunity for both of you (If you don't have kids) to move and start a new job. Your student loan should be able to cover most of the living cost. It will be hard, but it can be done.

[krzysiu]

I really don't think the school will wait around for you. There are WAY more applicants than seats. If the school goes, here is a winning lottery ticket. And, you say, um, I really want it, but can I have it next year? The only thing they will feel is: you must not really want it. (Put yourself in their shoes for a second. They are in the driver seat and they are the ones doing you the favor. Its definitely a privilege.) The next thing I hate to tell you, is, the job market/economy isn't going to get better anytime soon. You have to sit down and really ask yourself if CRNA school is what you want. Trust me when I tell you, I sacrificed a lot to go to school, but I am confident I am going to gain a lot more in the end. It's not easy, but you'll get by if you choose to. Sink or Swim...

[gluck]

I would put my absolute best foot forward in the interview without telling them that you may need to delay admission. Then, if accepted, ask about delaying admission if that is what your really need/want to do. If they really liked you and think you are a strong applicant, my guess is they will allow you're request. I don't know about anesthesia, but lots of competitive programs allow this including med schools. You are then one less seat that they have to interview for next year. If they deny your request, they will likely tell you to reapply next year. If you are not admitted, you can also reapply. Many schools seem to like repeat applicants

[rncam]

I would try everything possible to make it happen. Student loans, private loans, parent loans,whatever it takes. It will be a sacrifice but within two and a half years it can be the answer to your financial difficulties.

[loveanesthesia]

I think it's risky to delay admission, I've been on admissions committees and drive and committment are often the determining factor. You may loose the opportunity forever at that particular school. Remember the school has a budget to meet, and if you leave a spot that they have to scramble to fill, they won't be happy. Yes there are a lot of applicants, but most apply to multiple schools, and there is a certain percentage of applicants that look good on paper but are clearly not a match when they interview. It's kind of a game of musical chairs (the admissions process at schools), and when the music stops some programs end up with empty seats. They don't like to admit that, but it's true. Usually it's not that they couldn't have filled them, but that applicants dance around and by the time the school knows they have an empty seat there's not enough time to fill it with a quality applicant. If you get accepted take the spot, once you graduate you will have people calling you to offer you very nice jobs no matter what the economy is doing.

[ljmb]

Thank you for the replies!

I was particularly concerned about a potential job loss because

I have 3 kids...one just started in college. I can't easily ignore

that 2 incomes would be lost...mine (for school) and my husbands.

That makes for an unbearable financial strain.

I am fortunate, however....

my in-laws just offered to help financially should I get in.

You all are right...

I will move forward, go if invited, and do whatever it takes to succeed.

I've worked too hard to give up this easily.

There has never been a question of committment on my part...but the

financial thing threw an obvious wrench in my plans and I had to pay attention to that.

But, where there there's a will, there's a way...and I'll find it!!!

Thank you,

LJMB