PT School Acceptance Dilemma

[MagDPT]

So today I was accepted to UF as I went in for my UCF interview. UCF is my top choice, UF being number 2. UCF decisions are sent out in February but UF wants a decision by January 3rd. Has anyone been in this situation? Do I accept UF until I hear from UCF then decide if I unaccept? Do I wait it out as late as possible?

Any insight is appreciated!

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[BiffTheFlashRogers]

What is the cost differential between the two?

I was accepted into my #2 choice, an expensive private school, right before I interviewed at my #1 choice, a relatively cheap in-state program. To play it safe, I sent in a non-refundable deposit ($1,000) to my #2 to hold a spot (my spot was only safe for two weeks). Once I got into my #1 choice, I ate the deposit and committed to my top choice. I'm still saving tens of thousands of dollars, and the $1,000 I dropped on the deposit to my #2 was worth having the safety net in case I did not get into my top program.

 

[MagDPT]

What is the cost differential between the two?

I was accepted into my #2 choice, an expensive private school, right before I interviewed at my #1 choice, a relatively cheap in-state program. To play it safe, I sent in a non-refundable deposit ($1,000) to my #2 to hold a spot (my spot was only safe for two weeks). Once I got into my #1 choice, I ate the deposit and committed to my top choice. I'm still saving tens of thousands of dollars, and the $1,000 I dropped on the deposit to my #2 was worth having the safety net in case I did not get into my top program.

They're virtually the same price. Around 60k for both.

 

[DPThopeful1859]

Just pay your deposit and secure your seat. It's not a definite that you'll get accepted into UCF, but it's already determined UF wants you. I wouldn't risk not putting down a deposit for a school that wants you versus counting on your #1 choice to accept you

 

[MagDPT]

I think the real factor that's worrying me is the fact that the UCF admissions director said that she can see when students accept other offers. So I don't know if that will hurt my chances of getting into UCF.

 

[DPThopeful1859]

Well, I would wait until the last few days before you have to submit your deposit to UF to see if you hear anything back from UCF. They may give you a fast response and they may not. You could possibly ask for an extension?

 

[truthseeker]

You could call UF and tell them your situation and see if they will extend the deadline.

 

[BiffTheFlashRogers]

I think the real factor that's worrying me is the fact that the UCF admissions director said that she can see when students accept other offers. So I don't know if that will hurt my chances of getting into UCF.

Personally, I would contact the UCF director and explain your concern. Just flat out tell them you are going to put down a deposit at UF to hold your seat because your won't know if you're in at UCF til February but don't want that to negatively impact their admissions decision. Tell them they're your #1 and you're willing to eat the deposit if needed but can't risk not saving yourself a seat in a program. If they don't send out decisions til February, I'm sure they've been in this spot before.

 

[beyoutiful_sunshine]

I think the real factor that's worrying me is the fact that the UCF admissions director said that she can see when students accept other offers. So I don't know if that will hurt my chances of getting into UCF.

Yes that's a feature of PTCAS, schools can see how many acceptances students receive but they can't see how many rejections and I believe they can't see from which schools specifically.
It's not going to hurt your chances, and if anything it'll actually make them want you more. 🙂

When I went to my Texas State interview, I had already received 4 acceptances. 2 schools gave me extensions to reply (those two schools required a $200 deposit), but the other 2 didn't (I didn't ask, maybe they would have if I had asked... but those 2 schools didn't require a deposit) so I accepted my spot at those 2 schools.
During my interview, Texas State asked me what did I look for in a PT school and I just answered truthfully. I ended up getting accepted there as well, which was my number 1 choice and I declined/resigned at the other 4 schools, so in the end I paid no deposit.

I wouldn't call UCF to tell them about the dilemma because you haven't been accepted there yet. I wouldn't talk about another program to a program you're waiting to hear from, especially since it might not help: if they haven't made a decision yet then there's nothing they can tell you.
On the other end, UF already wants you. So I would call UF and tell them you're waiting to hear from another school in February and politely ask if they usually give out extensions in those circumstances. Because you have already been accepted there, you have nothing to lose because they won't rescind your acceptance just because you asked.

 

[MagDPT]

Yes that's a feature of PTCAS, schools can see how many acceptances students receive but they can't see how many rejections and I believe they can't see from which schools specifically.
It's not going to hurt your chances, and if anything it'll actually make them want you more. 🙂

When I went to my Texas State interview, I had already received 4 acceptances. 2 schools gave me extensions to reply (those two schools required a $200 deposit), but the other 2 didn't (I didn't ask, maybe they would have if I had asked... but those 2 schools didn't require a deposit) so I accepted my spot at those 2 schools.
During my interview, Texas State asked me what did I look for in a PT school and I just answered truthfully. I ended up getting accepted there as well, which was my number 1 choice and I declined/resigned at the other 4 schools, so in the end I paid no deposit.

I wouldn't call UCF to tell them about the dilemma because you haven't been accepted there yet. I wouldn't talk about another program to a program you're waiting to hear from, especially since it might not help: if they haven't made a decision yet then there's nothing they can tell you.
On the other end, UF already wants you. So I would call UF and tell them you're waiting to hear from another school in February and politely ask if they usually give out extensions in those circumstances. Because you have already been accepted there, you have nothing to lose because they won't rescind your acceptance just because you asked.

That's most likely what I'll do. Thanks for your help!