Deferring Acceptance - but cannot decide on a school

[lxc07]

<p>I am taking a gap year for sure. </p>

<p>However, I have not been able to decide which school I want go to a year from now. It is down to two schools: one is perfect for one field of study (international relations), and the other is perfect for another (medicine/biology). </p>

<p>BUT - I will spend my gap year traveling the world, doing volunteer work and working in hospitals in developing countries in different continents and hemispheres. I expect it to be truly enlightening and I simply do not think I can predict which school I will want to go to a year from now, after those sort of experiences - would I want to concentrate on becoming a doctor, or concentrate on working with international NGOs? </p>

<p>I am considering sending in a deposit to both schools. Then, exactly a year from now when I know more clearly what I want to do, I can tell one ofof the two schools that I have decided not to attend. </p>

<p>Although I know this is against the agreement and is highly frowned upon, I do not see an unethical side as I would not be affecting any waitlisted students since I am enrolling in Fall 2008. Are there any unethical sides that I have not considered? Are there any options you can suggest for me? Since it is SO CLOSE to the May 1 deadline, is it too risky to ask colleges if I could simply decide a year from now instead of depositing to two schools without telling them? </p>

<p>Any help is GREATLY appreciated. I'm desperate :( Thank you!</p>

[OneMom]

<p>Double depositing is not honest. You have another choice. You should single deposit to your best fit school, or to the one that will give you the most flexibility. If, during gap year, you decide against that school, tell them that you will not attend, and that you are starting a whole new application process. Then, apply to the other school and/or new choices. You can also ask the schools if they will let you wait to decide, but they may just say no. Still, it never hurts to ask.</p>