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Currently a 4th year at UC Berkeley and will be graduating in about 2 months. I was on the pre-med track until halfway through the 2nd semester of Junior year. I've been pretty lost about potential educational/career path ever since I decided to stop pursuing the MD path. I learned about OT through a friend last summer and am highly interested. Right now I just need advice on WHAT TO DO! I would appreciate advice on how to get on the right path.
Information:
- Integrative Biology Major with 1 Semester left
- Killed it in highschool, got killed in college
- GPA at around 3.0-3.1 by the end of this semester (VERY LOW)
prereq GPA is expected to be more around 3.5-3.7
- Currently volunteering with a program that helps meet the need for alternative physical therapy and - recreational services for children. (we help swimmers in a pool)
- Relevant prerequisite courses taken: human physiology, introductory stats, psychology, introductory soc.
- Plan on completing over this summer and next fall: anatomy w/ lab, medical terminology, abnormal psychology, developmental psych
- Took a GRE practice test to gauge: 160ish V 164ish Q so I have to prepare more for it
- Working on receiving Letters of Recs from my professors
- I'll be volunteering this summer at a non profit health center where I can get patient care / data collection experience at their primary care clinic
What should I be working on doing now/when should I expect to apply for programs?
- I understand that I need to shadow an OT and gain observation hours/experience
so do I just contact current OT's in my area and ask if I can observe them? how does that work
- My primary residence is in southern california so I want to stay in CA, but that limits my options severely as there are less than 10 accredited OT schools in CA to my understanding. I am open to out of state options.
I am looking into CSUDH, SJSU (would have to do the art requirement thing) and USC (super long shot) at the moment. What other schools should I consider?
I can finish all the requirements for admissions by the end of FALL so I would be prepared to apply to some schools by the next cycle. Based on my current schedule, would it be better to get even more experience working in healthcare settings/volunteering or should I apply as soon as I am done with the prerequisites.
This is a lengthy post with many questions and I apologize, but I really would appreciate any help!!!
Information:
- Integrative Biology Major with 1 Semester left
- Killed it in highschool, got killed in college
- GPA at around 3.0-3.1 by the end of this semester (VERY LOW)
prereq GPA is expected to be more around 3.5-3.7
- Currently volunteering with a program that helps meet the need for alternative physical therapy and - recreational services for children. (we help swimmers in a pool)
- Relevant prerequisite courses taken: human physiology, introductory stats, psychology, introductory soc.
- Plan on completing over this summer and next fall: anatomy w/ lab, medical terminology, abnormal psychology, developmental psych
- Took a GRE practice test to gauge: 160ish V 164ish Q so I have to prepare more for it
- Working on receiving Letters of Recs from my professors
- I'll be volunteering this summer at a non profit health center where I can get patient care / data collection experience at their primary care clinic
What should I be working on doing now/when should I expect to apply for programs?
- I understand that I need to shadow an OT and gain observation hours/experience
so do I just contact current OT's in my area and ask if I can observe them? how does that work
- My primary residence is in southern california so I want to stay in CA, but that limits my options severely as there are less than 10 accredited OT schools in CA to my understanding. I am open to out of state options.
I am looking into CSUDH, SJSU (would have to do the art requirement thing) and USC (super long shot) at the moment. What other schools should I consider?
I can finish all the requirements for admissions by the end of FALL so I would be prepared to apply to some schools by the next cycle. Based on my current schedule, would it be better to get even more experience working in healthcare settings/volunteering or should I apply as soon as I am done with the prerequisites.
This is a lengthy post with many questions and I apologize, but I really would appreciate any help!!!