Multiple Applications to One School? What are your thoughts?

[futureDPT/DO]

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Hey, everyone!

Now that the application open date for PTCAS is drawing near (July 1st!), I wanted to hear everyone's thoughts on applying to several programs in one school. A lot of the schools I am interested in have several different DPT programs. The only difference between the programs is the location of the campus or the length of the program. I really love these schools, so I don't really care what specific city I would have to live in or how many years completing the degree would take. Is it considered poor etiquette or just a bad idea to apply to multiple programs to the same school? Or, should I just suck it up and go all in for just one?

Also, does anyone know how the application review process works? For example, let's say I want to apply to John Smith University- Austin and John Smith University- Dallas, or even separate programs at the same campus, would the same people review my application twice? Or, are there separate admissions officers for each campus/program?

Thanks, everyone!

 

[davidtheusername]

I can't think of any reason it would be bad to apply to multiple pt programs under one school. The vast majority of people apply to multiple programs, so I don't see how applying to multiple campuses would be a big deal. Good luck!

 

[futureDPT/DO]

I can't think of any reason it would be bad to apply to multiple pt programs under one school. The vast majority of people apply to multiple programs, so I don't see how applying to multiple campuses would be a big deal. Good luck!

Thanks! I've heard so many people tell me so many times that it looks bad if an applicant seems "indecisive" about just one program, so I'm glad you don't think it's a bad idea, either.

 

[Macklelaur]

Do NOT apply to more than one program at a school. I'm not trying to be discouraging, but please do NOT do this. I considered doing this at one point until I was informed that some of the applications for different programs go through the same office. It is not good for someone to see your application for PT school and then see a separate application for you a day later for PA school. To many schools it will look like you are being indecisive. If you want to apply to multiple programs, that's great, but please do not do that at one school. Just my advice.

 

[futureDPT/DO]

Do NOT apply to more than one program at a school. I'm not trying to be discouraging, but please do NOT do this. I considered doing this at one point until I was informed that some of the applications for different programs go through the same office. It is not good for someone to see your application for PT school and then see a separate application for you a day later for PA school. To many schools it will look like you are being indecisive. If you want to apply to multiple programs, that's great, but please do not do that at one school. Just my advice.

Thanks for the advice! Everyone else has told me exactly the same thing. What do you think about different physical therapy programs at one school? Like, one school I'm looking into offers the general Doctor of Physical Therapy, but they also offer a "flexible" Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. (By "flexible" , they mean part-time, so it would take twice as long to finish.) Would it be okay to apply to both the regular and the flexible/part-time? I don't really care if it takes me 3 or 6 years to finish, as long as I'm a physical therapist at the end of it all.

 

[Macklelaur]

Thanks for the advice! Everyone else has told me exactly the same thing. What do you think about different physical therapy programs at one school? Like, one school I'm looking into offers the general Doctor of Physical Therapy, but they also offer a "flexible" Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. (By "flexible" , they mean part-time, so it would take twice as long to finish.) Would it be okay to apply to both the regular and the flexible/part-time? I don't really care if it takes me 3 or 6 years to finish, as long as I'm a physical therapist at the end of it all.

This sounds like USA. I would still advise you to pick one. Some, select flex PT because it is less competitive since it is a longer program. Others just go ahead and select the full-time PT program. Depending on the school, interviews may be mandatory and you don't want to have two interviews for basically the same program. Granted, at USA, for example, you can send one application and state that you are willing to attend any of the four campuses. Just make a wise decision as to which program you really want to apply.

 

[futureDPT/DO]

This sounds like USA. I would still advise you to pick one. Some, select flex PT because it is less competitive since it is a longer program. Others just go ahead and select the full-time PT program. Depending on the school, interviews may be mandatory and you don't want to have two interviews for basically the same program. Granted, at USA, for example, you can send one application and state that you are willing to attend any of the four campuses. Just make a wise decision as to which program you really want to apply.

Thanks! I'll look into this.

 

[davidtheusername]

Do NOT apply to more than one program at a school. I'm not trying to be discouraging, but please do NOT do this. I considered doing this at one point until I was informed that some of the applications for different programs go through the same office. It is not good for someone to see your application for PT school and then see a separate application for you a day later for PA school. To many schools it will look like you are being indecisive. If you want to apply to multiple programs, that's great, but please do not do that at one school. Just my advice.

I completely agree not to apply to different fields like applying to be a PA and a PT and a dentist all at once. That's not what the poster is doing is it? I thought the person just meant they were applying to different kinds of physical therapy programs at one school?

 

[davidtheusername]

It may be useful to actually ask the school since at best any of us on here are making educated guesses.

I don't see how wanting to go to two physical therapy programs at 1 school makes one indecisive but applying to 30 different schools doesn't.

 

[futureDPT/DO]

It may be useful to actually ask the school since at best any of us on here are making educated guesses.

I don't see how wanting to go to two physical therapy programs at 1 school makes one indecisive but applying to 30 different schools doesn't.

That's exactly what I've been thinking. I can't imagine them getting too terribly upset if I apply to a couple of different versions of what is virtually the same program at the same school, but you can't ever be too sure.

 

[starrsgirl]

As long as it's PT programs I think it's fine. You may really like the school enough to want to go there no matter the program setup or city.

 

[davidtheusername]

Dear Admissions Representative,

I am writing this email to inquire if your department is silly or if I can apply the way I want. If your department is silly, please advise me about any other picky rules your department has that might not otherwise logically occur to me.

Sincerely,

A Paranoid Applicant

🙂

I am sooooooo glad not to have to go through all that again. haha...