Something to be Aware of Through The Application Process to DPT School

[Curiousone15]

I just started at DPT School back in June 2017. I was accepted into more than one program and put a deposit down at more than one program. In early May I was contacted by one of the programs I had put a deposit down on and was told that I had less than a week to withdraw my other deposit to the other program I was deposited at or they would withdraw my acceptance into their program. I was shocked that they were doing this. Their program didn't start until August and no where in their paperwork stated that I couldn't accept another offer or have the arbitrary date they gave me to make a decision. I pointed this out to them and requested for more time to make my final decision; however, my requests went unanswered and they withdrew my acceptance despite putting a deposit down to secure my seat in their program. After trying to call the program (they wouldn't take my calls), emailing them, and finally sending a letter via certified mail demanding my deposit back within the "next 30 days" or I would get a lawyer to seek a refund of my deposit. I never heard from them, but 2-3 weeks later I received a check in the mail with a full refund of my deposit.

I want people to be aware that programs have access to this information through PTCAS. I wanted to share this so if this does happen to you, stand up for yourself and don't allow these schools to bully you around, and cheat you out of your money. I mainly took a stand in hopes that they won't do this in the future or have their paperwork reflect this requirement so perspective students know what to expect.

I hope no one else has to experience this! Applying to DPT School is stressful enough.

Best of luck to all of you applying!

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[Hinges]

What program was this? I am about to apply to 24 schools, so I don't want to deal with what you went through. Thanks by the way for the heads up!

 

[Curiousone15]

What program was this? I am about to apply to 24 schools, so I don't want to deal with what you went through. Thanks by the way for the heads up!

Since the program gave me a full refund of my deposit without me having to get a lawyer involved, I will not be disclosing what program it was. I apologize for not sharing who this program is, but this information should be helpful with what to look for in documentations from programs, questions to ask the program, and a little bit of how to handle it if this does happen to you.

This issue isn't just the program that did this, but also PTCAS for disclosing the information to them. Enabling this program and possibly other programs in doing this.

Best of luck to you with applying! It is a long process, but definitely worth it!

Some advice on what schools to apply to, don't just apply to the big well known schools. There are really good programs that are smaller, and less known. These will tend to have less applicants to them compared to the larger programs, thus increasing your chances of getting in.

 

[jaybanks95]

What program was this? I am about to apply to 24 schools, so I don't want to deal with what you went through. Thanks by the way for the heads up!

24?! Don't you think that's overkill? Do you have a fee waiver?

 

[low5059]

What Happens Next

It is actually listed here that programs that accept you can see how many acceptances you've received & the number of them you've accepted. Not sure if non-PTCAS schools can be seen/can access this.

 

[drs17]

What Happens Next

It is actually listed here that programs that accept you can see how many acceptances you've received & the number of them you've accepted. Not sure if non-PTCAS schools can be seen/can access this.

I wanted to say this but I couldn't find the link

 

[Hinges]

24?! Don't you think that's overkill? Do you have a fee waiver?

Nope, I am in the military and saved a bunch of funds the past 7 years. I am applying as much as I can because I am married and want to take care of my wife, so I am pushing to get into a program. To me, applying to 24 schools and getting into 3 of them is better than applying to 7 and getting into none.

 

[tcpt]

What Happens Next

It is actually listed here that programs that accept you can see how many acceptances you've received & the number of them you've accepted. Not sure if non-PTCAS schools can be seen/can access this.

Programs can see if an applicant has received offers and if they have accepted them. A program can only see that once the applicant is placed into an offer status in their program. We cannot see that for all applicants, even waitlisted ones (I believe). We cannot see the names of the programs where applicants have received or accepted other offers. This feature was new (2016-2017 Admit cycle) in the last admission cycle and was helpful in communicating with applicants for our program.

Our program understands that applicants have very difficult choices, timelines, and a lot of money at stake in their deposits. Because of this, we have adjusted our application deadline and notification deadlines to as early as we can make them, in order to get applicants a decision quicker and to allow more decision making time (whether that is helpful or not, unsure). This information is probably best used to help guide the applicant in the decision making process into which school (among multiple offers) is best for them. At least that is our approach. Applicants should remember that once you matriculate (start classes), then the ACAPT rules of the road apply and you should plan on staying put.

In the coming years, we may see a move to standardize acceptance deadlines across programs, similar to the application deadlines. Not sure yet, but that would be a move to help applicants make their decisions and for programs to fill their cohorts.
Hang in there!

 

[jaybanks95]

Nope, I am in the military and saved a bunch of funds the past 7 years. I am applying as much as I can because I am married and want to take care of my wife, so I am pushing to get into a program. To me, applying to 24 schools and getting into 3 of them is better than applying to 7 and getting into none.

Fair point. Well good luck!