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I was just offered a job and have decided to accept the position in spite of having applied to about 7 or 8 law schools so far. I want to work first because I'm not 100% set on law school yet and this job will definitely help me decide. However, if I am accepted to a school I think I might eventually attend (H is likely), would it be unethical for me to defer without knowing if I'll really eventually attend?

Furthermore, would it hurt me outside the realm of law schools? For example, if I defer H and then change my mind, and then apply to Harvard Business School in the future would I be hurt in that application process?

As I understand it deferring is not for pple who aren't sure if they want to attend in the first place, so yes, there may be some ethical questions that come up. Withdraw your apps, work for a few years, and then reapply if you decide to go for it. If you know you are going to take this job and potentially not go to law school, why add the mess of deferrals to the mix if its not necessary? Your LSAT and GPA aren't going anywhere. WE will only help if you decide to apply again.

Its only unethical if you defer and then apply elsewhere after agreeing not to.

suzige wrote:As I understand it deferring is not for pple who aren't sure if they want to attend in the first place, so yes, there may be some ethical questions that come up. Withdraw your apps, work for a few years, and then reapply if you decide to go for it. If you know you are going to take this job and potentially not go to law school, why add the mess of deferrals to the mix if its not necessary? Your LSAT and GPA aren't going anywhere. WE will only help if you decide to apply again.

SemperLegal wrote:Its only unethical if you defer and then apply elsewhere after agreeing not to.

You will be one in a class of 500 and there will be dozens of people lining up to take your spot if you decide not to go. Don't worry about it.

SemperLegal wrote:Its only unethical if you defer and then apply elsewhere after agreeing not to.

This.

Reviving my own post bc I am now officially admitted to HLS. So if I do a two-year deferral, and then I decide to ultimately not attend, would this hurt me at HBS? Also, would it hurt me at any other law school after I've decided to not attend HLS?

Pancakes12 wrote:Reviving my own post bc I am now officially admitted to HLS. So if I do a two-year deferral, and then I decide to ultimately not attend, would this hurt me at HBS? Also, would it hurt me at any other law school after I've decided to not attend HLS?

For HBS it probably won't matter. For other law schools, why would you bother?