Does deferring acceptance for a year mean that I cannot apply to other colleges?

<p>I was accepted at a college, but I want to take a gap year. But a year is a long time, and it is very much possible that I would change my mind about my college future. so I was wondering if deferring acceptance would mean that I HAVE to attend this college. Would I be able to treat this acceptance as a EA admission?</p>

<p>I am not saying I will change my mind. I'm saying it is possible, and I don't want to feel like I am trapped during my gap year.</p>

<p>The college who you’ve first accepted will have you sign a statement saying you won’t go out and shop around this upcoming gap year. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.</p>

<p>You can speak with them and decline their offer, saying you may wish to re-apply next year – taking your chances again – but there is no way they will grant you a deferral (and a spot in the following year’s freshman class) without your signed pledge. You’d be screwing them by your indecision and they need to protect themselves.</p>