<p>Is it a bad idea to inform colleges when applying, that if you're accepted, you intend to defer your admission for a year? Is it better to just find out if you're admitted and then defer?</p>
<p>I see no reason to tell them beforehand so I would just wait.</p>
<p>You are not obliged to tell colleges in advance that you expect to defer, but do make sure that the colleges on your list will allow deferrals. Most do but some don’t. One good reason NOT to tell colleges in advance is that your plans can change. I’ve seen students who were sure they would defer end up changing their minds by the spring.</p>