<p>I'm an international student, and I'm currently serving 2 years of national service (entering college in Fall 2015). Duirng last year's admission cycle, I received an offer from a certain college in the US, which I promptly accepted.</p>
<p>However, as I won't be going to college until 1 years+ later, I'm thinking of applying to other schools (as I wasn't accepted to my first-choice schools). </p>
<p>Can anyone clarify whether I am allowed to apply to other colleges while holding onto my offer from the 1st college? Additionally, will I be allowed/restricted from applying to colleges elsewhere such as in the UK? I have heard certain rumours that international students will not be allowed to applying elsewhere after accepting a US college....</p>
<p>Yes you can apply elsewhere just as long as you did not get into a school early decision because that is binding. I am guessing that to hold your spot in the college you had to pay a deposit. If you do not attend that school you will not get the money from the deposit back.</p>
<p>“I received an offer from a certain college in the US, which I promptly accepted.”</p>
<p>If you have formally arranged to defer enrollment, you need to carefully read through the correspondence from the college that has accepted you. In some cases it is necessary to cancel that enrollment in order to be free to apply to a college or university that would respect your earlier commitment (rather like an ED agreement). </p>
<p>You are wise to reconsider your college list. By this time next year, when you would be applying for the fall of 2015, it is quite likely that your interest will have changed, which will mean that your college/university application list will have changed. You can hang onto this acceptance for now, and worry about your final list in another year.</p>
<p>Did you actually receive an offer of admission, or merely an invitation to apply?</p>
<p>Lots of colleges send out letters (and emails) stating, “We love you - please attend our college!” But those don’t mean the recipient is actually admitted, just that he or she is welcome to apply.</p>
<p>I was accepted during the Regular Decision phase, so there’s no explicit binding agreement like the Early Decision ones. I also did not have to pay a deposit.</p>
<p>With regards to deferment, I have indeed requested for one until 2015, and the only relevant paragraph is the one below, which I guess doesn’t imply that I need to give up my spot before I can apply elsewhere?</p>
<p>“Please note the conditions of your deferment are that you complete your present course of study at a high level of achievement, and that you are not taking classes at any other college or university in the interim.”</p>
<p>I would check with the university directly. Most colleges do not allow you to apply to other schools if you have already accepted a place and are deferring. You are breaching the deferral agreement.</p>