GradSchoolProspective

In my defense, I have received zero aid from the program I am currently deferred from. Additionally, were I to apply and get accepted anywhere else (which I haven't done. I'm purely contemplating the idea), I would not pull a double-deposit stunt. I would of course forfeit my deferral deposit and inform the school I no longer planned to attend before accepting any other offer. That being said, it does make me nervous, because I remember from undergrad, it was really hammered into my head that if you accept or defer a position, you go, and to do anything else is unethical (which is totally true). It just makes me nervous, because even though I haven't seen anything specifically prohibiting it, the worst-case scenario is of course, that both schools somehow find out (I don't know if schools communicate with one another over things like this, for example), are affronted by the situation and both pull offers, especially considering that if there were really explicit rules concerning this sort of thing, it would make it much easier to know how to handle this situation. So it definitely requires some careful consideration and introspection about where I want to be and what would be best. Thanks so much for your input!

No offense taken at all. Your concerns perfectly echo my own. I don't defend my current train of thought or potentially looking into another program as ethical whatsoever. Trying to ascertain what the consequences would be is not the same thing as me feeling good about making this decision. I recognize it's a serious one, and not one that I'm considering lightly. You bring up that sometimes people realize a program isn't a good fit after beginning it. That is the exact situation I am trying to avoid. The program I am currently deferred from is a good one, but I am not sure it would be the best fit for my career goals, whereas a more flexible program, such as Fletcher, might be better suited for me gaining a specific skill set I'm looking for. I don't want to be in a position of being at the middle of my first year, realizing that I am not getting what I need out of a (admittedly expensive) program. Unfortunately I completely overlooked the program the first time I was applying (which is 100% my fault), so I didn't have the opportunity to consider if it would be a better fit. The timing is awful, I know, but I think it's something I need to consider before I dedicate a large amount of money and years of my life to a professional program. Thanks so much for your input. Hearing additional view points is always helpful.

Thanks so much for your input! Definitely very helpful. I've gone over everything I signed when I sent in my deposit and nothing specific indicates it's binding. It only refers to if I had already accepted a spot at another school, or accepted a deferment for another school and that I plan to attend Fall 2016. So there is nothing specifically prohibiting me from applying to Fletcher, but it does concern because even if I'd be following the formal letter of the agreement, it doesn't really seem in keeping with the spirit of it. I guess my biggest concern is that these schools are probably in communication with one another in some way or another, and I don't want to run afoul of any rules that would jeopardize my current standing at the school I'm deferred from. Thoughts?

So I have a fairly straightforward question that would not be appropriate to ask an admissions office and would like to get some input on. I am currently deferred from an IR program (will be matriculating this Fall), but have been considering whether or not I would want to apply for Fletcher's late deadline. I had originally discounted Fletcher because I had no interest being in the greater Boston area, but have recently started seriously re-considering my assessment of the program. My only concern is if this would get me into serious trouble with my current program. I sent in my deposit last year and attested that I had not deferred or accepted a place at another school, which is all true. Nothing on their website or any of the forms I completed for them specified anything about applying to other programs while in deferment. I am aware that this is most likely not advisable, but at the same time, if I would be happier at a different program, I don't want to wait to realize that after I've sunk serious tuition payment into my current program.