I'll try to help, though I don't go to URI or know much about the program.
When you say "top schools" you are probably referring to ranking. If you read the methodology for the DPT rankings (actually any of the healthcare rankings), you'll notice it's a survey 1-5, and the average score is used to rank the programs. therefore, rankings don't matter... and if you do a search on this forum, you'll find many threads where past,current, future, DPT students, and some PTs that say rankigns don't matter and many urge applicants to use other means to differentiate between programs like cost, or what makes that program unique, or clinical affiliations etc...
From your post, it seems you really like really liked the program at URI. Let me ask you this, what made you like this program more so than any other program you visited? If you took notes when you were at URI, those might help. I urge you to carefully think over why you like URI more than any other program you've applied to, and make a list. From this list you will be able to determine if this is the program for you. Does it have great clinical rotations? Does it emphasize a lot of clinical skills/research? Was it something about the curriculum? Those are just some questions to help you think... Obviously it's not gonna be one specific thing that's going to win you over, and most likely will be a combination of many aspects of hte program. But the point is if you feel like these things will make you a better PT or help you achieve a goal you have in mind more so than any other program, then it is probably the best program for you.
Good luck! if you have any questions feel free to PM me
