AlabamaArkansas

I was accepted into a PhD program last year but deferred admissions for 1 year for various reasons. I have since applied to other programs at other schools, but have yet to hear back about their admissions decisions. Now here is the dilemma; the school which I had deferred is asking me whether or not I am still interested in their program. To be frank, I am! However, I also applied to some other programs in other fields that are more competitive and appealing. Help me gradcafe: How do I avoid telling the school which I deferred that I am still interested in their program, while I haven't heard back from other universities? I can see this going horribly wrong in two ways: A: I tell the school that I deferred I am interested, and next month I am admitted to a much more competitive program in a different field that I would inevitable choose over the school I deferred. Isn't this really bad? How would that go down? B: I tell school that I deferred I am no longer interested, and put my future at risk of getting into _no_ schools this application season, and essential lose out on any graduate school opportunities? Help! Thanks.