Currently a deferred student, considering asking for a release

[VBD]

Hello, I'd really appreciate some advice on this decision, since I've agonized over this possibility for months now. I'm a long time "lurker" but from what I've seen you guys are really helpful.

I was accepted into a PhD program last April. However, it was probably the worst fit school of my choices (Uni A), considering that the PI I wanted to work with decided to no longer research the disease I was interested. Also, the other PI's I talked to (since it is a rotation-based program) were merely tangentially related. By decision day, I ended up waitlisted on my top choice (Uni B)and accepted with Uni B. Again, over countless debates in my head, I decided to accept the decision. Then in May/June, a family thing including medical issues came up, and I had to ask for a deference from the program. Uni B accepted the deference.

However, as I am distanced (time-wise) from the hassle of grad school decisions, I really feel that I made a horrible choice. I really don't want to be a program for 5-6 years of my life in a program that is tangentially related to what I really want to do. I'd essentially have to trailblaze my own path and find a PI who's willing to let me do that. Some people I've talked to IRL have offered that it could be a good thing, and I'm open to that. Furthermore, during my deferred time, I've been looking at future jobs and training program, fellowships (at the same time as looking for current jobs) and I've realized that the jobs I want to do require a degree from a school that has a certain certification, which Uni B does not have. However schools like Uni A do have, schools that I didn't apply for this time last year (I had poor advice from mentors who wanted me to follow their own path).

I am considering asking for a release, but I'm not sure if this is a good idea because I heard it can ruin relationships with the professors and uni. But I also don't want to take a spot away from someone (again) in a not as well fitting program. I'm also not sure of how to ask for one, when (Now, preferably..right?), and how honest should I be (saying that you school doesn't have the accreditation I know I'll need for the future seems.. harsh) I know I did things wrong last year during the application season (and it's an amazing fact that I even got accepted into a program) but I think now, I know what to do, and have a list of better fit schools with the accreditation I want. Now, I'm considering applying for this application season.

Am I right to even consider this? How can I go about this? Thank you to all for any help.

[emmm]

I think you could just say that your interests have changed and you no longer think the school is a good fit for you.