I got accepted into the Phd program at a Top 3 university in US.
However, as I have an external scholarship (full funding for PhD study), I have to defer my admission to work at the scholarship sponsor research institute for one year.
I wrote to the department explaining my situation, but was informed that deferral is not allowed and I have to reapply next year. Anybody had a similar experience as me? Is there a chance to appeal for my deferral request?
As I have my own fundings, technically speaking I do not occupy a quota in current cohort.