Why a First-Year DPT Student Chose Tufts University
Brandon Dobson, DPT26, a first-year student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Tufts University’s Seattle campus, shares his personal journey into physical therapy and what led him to choose Tufts for his education. With a background in Athletic Training and a passion for sports medicine, Dobson highlights the aspects of the Tufts DPT program that stood out to him—specifically the collaborative approach to healthcare, the expertise of the faculty, and the program’s commitment to developing well-rounded, skilled practitioners.
His Path to a Doctorate in Physical Therapy
"My name is Brandon Dobson, and I am a current student in the Tufts DPT Seattle 2026 cohort. I graduated from The College of Idaho in 2018 with a Bachelor's in Health Science/Psychology and Minors in Physical Therapy and Music. After working for a couple of years, I returned to school and completed a Master’s in Athletic Training at Boise State University in 2022. Since then, I’ve been working as a licensed Athletic Trainer. I love working in healthcare, and helping others reach their personal health goals has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It’s something I hope to never stop improving, which led me to more education."
From Athletic Training to Physical Therapy: A Passion for Sports Medicine
"In my time as an Athletic Trainer, and during my educational path, I’ve had the pleasure of working collaboratively alongside Physical Therapists to help treat and care for athletes of several different populations. I began to appreciate and gain interest in exploring what aspects of that work I could begin implementing into my practice. Naturally, pursuing a DPT was the next step for me, and Tufts staff were incredibly helpful in my process. I think having formal education in both Athletic Training and Physical therapy would give me a much more complete and diverse set of skills necessary for patient care across several domains of healthcare. I have a particular passion for sports medicine, and I truly hope to continue advancing in the field, but my education at Tufts will allow me to be much more involved in several other healthcare environments. In my talks with different programs, Tufts faculty and program were informative, excited, and seemed particularly interested in developing me as a professional. All of my interactions with Tufts led me to believe it was the best program for me and my journey.
Why Tufts DPT-Seattle Was the Right Fit
"I think Tufts is truly a well-developed program with highly motivated faculty that will work tirelessly to build knowledgeable and experienced practitioners by working to create meaningful engagement throughout an extensive program. All of my experiences with faculty and my education within the program thus far have been exceptional and are no doubt preparing me to represent myself and any organization I align with in the future. I hope everyone interested in pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy considers this program for their path as well."
Related Links:
Watch Brandon's Reel on Instagram
Tufts DPT Programs Overview
DPT Seattle Location
Request Information About Tufts DPT