Can I defer my PhD acceptance?

Yes, it is possible to defer. It is not uncommon in fact. But it is up to the individual program to determine if a deferral meets their program needs. So you need to request it, and approval is not assured, although most programs will be accommodating to such requests if they can be.

Is it easier to get into an Ivy League as an international student?

Not only is the application process generally more confusing for international students, but it is more difficult for international students to be accepted to the Ivy Leagues. In the Ivy League, no school has an overall acceptance rate of over 10\%. In fact, most Ivy Legaue schools average a 7\% acceptance rate.

Is it possible to defer an application to a program?

Yes, it is possible to defer. It is not uncommon in fact. But it is up to the individual program to determine if a deferral meets their program needs. So you need to request it, and approval is not assured, although most programs will be accommodating to such requests if they can be.

How can I defer my admission to UPenn to next year?

Rules about deferring your admission to next year depends on that particular University to which you got accepted to. You will have to personally email them and ask. UPenn lets their admitted students defer their admission for upto two years.

Do you need advice when applying for a PhD program?

If you are planning to apply for a PhD program, you’re probably getting advice from dozens of students, professors, administrators your parents and the Internet. Sometimes it’s hard to know which advice to focus on and what will make the biggest difference in the long-run.

Should you pursue a PhD in alternative research?

You may find that you love the alternative research and devote your PhD to it, you might hate it and fall back on your previous area of study — or you may even discover a unique topic that incorporates both subjects. One of the best aspects of the PhD program is that you can make the research your own.