Will Applying Two Graduate Programs in MIT lower the chance of getting in either of them?

[tmpz000999]

i am applying MIT for Fall 2018, and I am planning to submit two applications to two different programs at the same time. However, on the online application form, it ask to indicate all the programs I am applying to in MIT. That's why I feel a little bit worried even though it says "Applying more than one program is allowed" on the admissions FAQ page. I feel like "is allowed" doesn't mean "have no negative effect to applications". Will the admission committees on both program consider me as lacking loyalty or something? Thank you guys for taking time to read my question. 

[fuzzylogician]

Well mostly it probably raises a question of how well you fit with the department, if you can see yourself in another department as well.

[TakeruK]

People don't expect you to have "loyalty" to one department, because in many cases, departmental divisions are human-decided arbitrary lines, however, nature/knowledge/etc. does not exist only within nicely drawn boxes that academics have decided.

What matters more is how you describe yourself/your fit. If your field of research is such that it naturally fits well into two departments, then this is likely not a problem and people will understand why you have two applications to two departments. But if you are not clear about why these two departments are good fits, then they will have the same questions that @fuzzylogician brought up.

In my area of research, a common example is the study of exoplanets. This field often lies between two common departmental divisions: physics/astro vs. earth/geo sciences. At MIT in particular, someone who is interested in studying atmospheres of planets and looking for signs of life might be interested in both EAPS and Physics. But this doesn't mean that all exoplanet study can fall between these two departments, for example, if you want to study the orbital dynamics of planetary orbits, you will find a much better fit in the Physics dept.

At many places, not sure about MIT specifically, if you accidentally apply to the wrong dept, you might get your application forwarded/referred to a different dept. Some students at my PhD school (not MIT) had applied to one dept but got accepted into another. This isn't something you should aim for on purpose, since different dept timelines might mean one dept might already finish decisions before they get referrals from another. And, it might reflect poorly on you that you didn't know the dept well enough to apply to the right one (again, not a "loyalty" issue but a "did the applicant do their homework" question).

[Jay.B]

I don't think it really plays a significant role, but then again this really boils down to the University and how they might interpret this. I would research more about it before doing this..maybe reach out to students in both departments you are applying to.

[tmpz000999]

Thank you guys for answering my question! 

[Jhonny456&]

Are you applying to TPP?