Program-Specific Info / Q's San Jose State MSOT Fall 2016 applicants

[BB69&73]

Hi guys,

I just got an admission's email last night, so I think they are starting to send them out!

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[Prospective O T]

Hi guys,

I just got an admission's email last night, so I think they are starting to send them out!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!

Would you mind sharing your stats with us? When did you submit your application?

 

[ot2017please]

wow someone got in? ! CONGRATS TO YOU! !!! & yes please share your stats if you don't mind ofcourse.

 

[aama0616a]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!

Would you mind sharing your stats with us? When did you submit your application?

Congrats!!!!!! Yay!!! I'm happy theyre emailing )(

 

[BB69&73]

Yea of course...

Major: Human Development
GPA: 3.59 (I'm not sure my last 60 units, but my grades got better towards the end. Freshman year was bad )
GRE: 159 verbal 155 quant 4.5 writing
Submitted all my materials mid October

OT Volunteering: ~ 80 hours in a hospital setting (acute care & inpatient) and 100 hours in an Adult Day Health Center
Work Experience: Really random: I worked as a supervisor and driver trainer at a bus company and as a conference planner during my undergrad. I also was a research assistant for 2 years. I'm currently working as a caretaker.
Recommendation letters: OT, Work Supervisor, Anatomy T.A, Writing professor, and researcher I worked under.

This was my second time applying. I was devastated when I didn't get in the first time, and I learned from a writing professor that my original personal statement was pretty horrible. So this year I took a lot of time on it (I struggle with writing). I also didn't have a letter of rec from a teacher last time I applied. I think that helped a lot.

 

[ot2017please]

awesome stats! and Kudos to you for reapplying and gaining acceptance. CONGRATS AGAIN!!!!

 

[BB69&73]

awesome stats! and Kudos to you for reapplying and gaining acceptance. CONGRATS AGAIN!!!!

Thank you! And good luck you guys!!!!

 

[10ninja]

Congratulations @BB69&73 ! Is SJSU your top choice?

Anyone know if we can get in with volunteer hours in progress? I only had 50 hours under an OT and 200 under a community service supervisor when I applied and I know that SJSU wants 60 hours with an OT at the very least.

 

[kb 1086980]

Hi! Does anyone know if SJSU makes any exceptions at all if for example we are 1 point away for a certain section on the GRE but we have a strong areas in the rest of the application?

 

[Prospective O T]

Hi! Does anyone know if SJSU makes any exceptions at all if for example we are 1 point away for a certain section on the GRE but we have a strong areas in the rest of the application?

I know that certain schools like USC do make exceptions in this regard. I wouldn't be too surprised if SJSU uses the same approach!

 

[hhOT]

Hi! Does anyone know if SJSU makes any exceptions at all if for example we are 1 point away for a certain section on the GRE but we have a strong areas in the rest of the application?

In past threads I have seen SJSU make exceptions for the GRE. You can email the admissions assistant and ask if you are really worried. With a strong application otherwise, I really think you're okay!

 

[EastBay0T]

Hi! Does anyone know if SJSU makes any exceptions at all if for example we are 1 point away for a certain section on the GRE but we have a strong areas in the rest of the application?

I really don't think they do... at an advising session I attended they said they were very strict about that. I ended up taking the MAT after two attempts at the GRE and only being one or two points off. But it never hurts to ask!

 

[SFcareerchangepreOT]

Two different people have told me that my application was complete in October, but when I was discussing taking the neuroanatomy prereq at a different place, she said "be sure to send unofficial transcripts to the OT department". Maybe it is just if you take classes after applying? So confusing!

how did that discussion of taking neuro elsewhere go? i'm thinking of doing that as well

 

[aama0616a]

I really don't think they do... at an advising session I attended they said they were very strict about that. I ended up taking the MAT after two attempts at the GRE and only being one or two points off. But it never hurts to ask!

Yeah when I met with the director of the program, she said they make cuts at the GRE numbers. They don't care if you are hundred points above, or 2 points above. As long as you make that number, your application will be reviewed and considered.

 

[kb 1086980]

I really don't think they do... at an advising session I attended they said they were very strict about that. I ended up taking the MAT after two attempts at the GRE and only being one or two points off. But it never hurts to ask!

How was the MAT compared to the GRE? I know the deadline is coming up for SJSU on 2/1 and I was thinking about taking the MAT but I don't know how much time I should prepare for that. Unfortunately, I was only 1 point away from the minimum for one of the sections on the GRE.

 

[wafflesoverpancakes]

How was the MAT compared to the GRE? I know the deadline is coming up for SJSU on 2/1 and I was thinking about taking the MAT but I don't know how much time I should prepare for that. Unfortunately, I was only 1 point away from the minimum for one of the sections on the GRE.

I thought the MAT was pretty easy and scored well above the minimum. I took that over the GRE because of how short it is. It's also cheaper. There are practice tests you can buy from MAT that have actual questions from the previous exams, which are $30 each. You can buy three max. I would take one of those online and see how you score. If you score better than the 50th percentile (I think that's around the minimum for SJSU) then I think it might be worth taking it

 

[EastBay0T]

How was the MAT compared to the GRE? I know the deadline is coming up for SJSU on 2/1 and I was thinking about taking the MAT but I don't know how much time I should prepare for that. Unfortunately, I was only 1 point away from the minimum for one of the sections on the GRE.

I took all three practice tests online then took the test, it's not really something you can study for other than take the practice tests. It is cheaper too, I think the test was 75 or 90 and all the practice test were 30. I think SJSU has this on their website but I remember needing a minimum of 400 (which I easily got the first try). It's less intense than the GRE, I recommend you give it a try

 

[kb 1086980]

I thought the MAT was pretty easy and scored well above the minimum. I took that over the GRE because of how short it is. It's also cheaper. There are practice tests you can buy from MAT that have actual questions from the previous exams, which are $30 each. You can buy three max. I would take one of those online and see how you score. If you score better than the 50th percentile (I think that's around the minimum for SJSU) then I think it might be worth taking it

thanks for your input!

 

[kb 1086980]

I took all three practice tests online then took the test, it's not really something you can study for other than take the practice tests. It is cheaper too, I think the test was 75 or 90 and all the practice test were 30. I think SJSU has this on their website but I remember needing a minimum of 400 (which I easily got the first try). It's less intense than the GRE, I recommend you give it a try

thank you! I really appreciate your help!

 

[kb 1086980]

Does anyone also know if we can take the skills course (i.e. basic sculpture) for pass/no pass instead of a grade as long as it meets the 40 hours requirements, etc?

 

[aama0616a]

Has anyone heard ANYTHING at all yet?? I am dying. Come on SJSU, it is basically mid january!

 

[10ninja]

@aama0616a We had one poster receive an admissions email on Monday. I am feeling a lot of nerves and anticipation and worry as well; SJSU is my top choice for so many reasons. I'm worried because Dream verified that everything was complete on my end on October 30th and I submitted everything October 10th. They're swamped with applications

 

[Otkris]

I'm dying to hear something as well...I submitted my application on 10/1 and the OTCAS portion was verified by 10/15. So I'm not sure when everything was necessarily marked as complete with the OT department. But now I'm extra worried as it sounds like the one person who has gotten an admittance notification submitted around the same time as me

 

[hhOT]

how did that discussion of taking neuro elsewhere go? i'm thinking of doing that as well

Dream said that we can take neuroanatomy (not physiology) online through the ucla extension in the spring. Registration starts in February and classes begin at the end of March

 

[Prospective O T]

Dream said that we can take neuroanatomy (not physiology) online through the ucla extension in the spring. Registration starts in February and classes begin at the end of March

Let's hope we hear back before then lol

 

[SJSUOT16]

Do you guys think the acceptance letters will be mailed or emailed? Since other posts said "mailed" and one person recently received an email?

 

[OTonmymind]

I got my "conditional acceptance letter" on November 29. This was my second year applying, I was wait listed last year. I confirmed my intention to enroll.

FYI my stats:
GPA: 3.94
Volunteer hours: 50 pediatrics; 50 stroke rehab
GRE: Verbal 164; Quantitative Reasoning 156; Analytical Writing 5
Bachelor's degree in Human Development
Letters of recommendation from Anatomy teacher, Physiology teacher, and an employer.
No professional experience in the Occupational Therapy world.

I hope more people get answers soon! I know they do rolling admissions so it can happen any time. mySJSU still lists my status as "referred to grad department."

 

[OTonmymind]

Just wanted to pass along some info from the admissions counselor at an informational session I attended . Last year they had 2 spaces open up at the end of summer and no one from the wait list could take the spaces because they had not completed the neuroanatomy class! So, if you get waitlisted keep that in mind.

I was one of those people from the waitlist who couldn't get in. So painful! There is nothing quite like the regret of realizing I could have reached my goal if I had been more persistent. I was originally enrolled in Neuroanatomy then I dropped because the department sent out a memo informing us that no more people would be accepted from the waitlist that year. I was bitter about this and decided I didn't want to spend $900 and the better part of my summer studying when I wasn't going to get in. So regrettable. I second the notion that if you are on the waitlist, take Neuroanatomy if you have the resources to do so.

 

[hhOT]

I got my "conditional acceptance letter" on November 29. This was my second year applying, I was wait listed last year. I confirmed my intention to enroll.

FYI my stats:
GPA: 3.94
Volunteer hours: 50 pediatrics; 50 stroke rehab
GRE: Verbal 164; Quantitative Reasoning 156; Analytical Writing 5
Bachelor's degree in Human Development
Letters of recommendation from Anatomy teacher, Physiology teacher, and an employer.
No professional experience in the Occupational Therapy world.

I hope more people get answers soon! I know they do rolling admissions so it can happen any time. mySJSU still lists my status as "referred to grad department."

Congrats @OTonmymind! Thanks for posting your stats for the rest of us who are still waiting

 

[OTonmymind]

Yea of course...

Major: Human Development
GPA: 3.59 (I'm not sure my last 60 units, but my grades got better towards the end. Freshman year was bad )
GRE: 159 verbal 155 quant 4.5 writing
Submitted all my materials mid October

OT Volunteering: ~ 80 hours in a hospital setting (acute care & inpatient) and 100 hours in an Adult Day Health Center
Work Experience: Really random: I worked as a supervisor and driver trainer at a bus company and as a conference planner during my undergrad. I also was a research assistant for 2 years. I'm currently working as a caretaker.
Recommendation letters: OT, Work Supervisor, Anatomy T.A, Writing professor, and researcher I worked under.

This was my second time applying. I was devastated when I didn't get in the first time, and I learned from a writing professor that my original personal statement was pretty horrible. So this year I took a lot of time on it (I struggle with writing). I also didn't have a letter of rec from a teacher last time I applied. I think that helped a lot.

Hi there,
I was a Human Development major too! What school did you do your undergrad at? I went to Cal State East Bay.

 

[Prospective O T]

I got my "conditional acceptance letter" on November 29. This was my second year applying, I was wait listed last year. I confirmed my intention to enroll.

FYI my stats:
GPA: 3.94
Volunteer hours: 50 pediatrics; 50 stroke rehab
GRE: Verbal 164; Quantitative Reasoning 156; Analytical Writing 5
Bachelor's degree in Human Development
Letters of recommendation from Anatomy teacher, Physiology teacher, and an employer.
No professional experience in the Occupational Therapy world.

I hope more people get answers soon! I know they do rolling admissions so it can happen any time. mySJSU still lists my status as "referred to grad department."

Dang, you were waitlisted first go-around with a 3.94 gpa? That's not exactly confidence-inducing! Regardless, congratulations on your acceptance!!!!!!

 

[OTonmymind]

Dang, you were waitlisted first go-around with a 3.94 gpa? That's not exactly confidence-inducing! Regardless, congratulations on your acceptance!!!!!!

Hello Prospective O T,
Thanks for the congratulations. I thought my GPA was going to be my ticket in, but it totally wasn't. Through some investigation I have learned that SJSU is more concerned with the "whole application" than the GPA. I think that my lack of work experience in the field and my low number of volunteer hours was what got me waitlisted. I think that being able to tell a coherent story about your future plans in the field in your personal statement goes a long way. The first time around I think my essay was a bit too bland. Anyhow, best of luck to you. I hope to see you on campus.

 

[Otkris]

Did anyone else submit a personal statement that was longer than a page? I submitted mine with my application at the beginning of October before the OT department changed the website requesting the statement to be a page or less. While I feel my essay was strong, I'm worried the length may impact their overall impression since they are now requesting a shorter essay.

 

[othopeful92]

Did anyone else submit a personal statement that was longer than a page? I submitted mine with my application at the beginning of October before the OT department changed the website requesting the statement to be a page or less. While I feel my essay was strong, I'm worried the length may impact their overall impression since they are now requesting a shorter essay.

Yes my personal statement was 2 pages and I submitted my application to them October 1. I feel that they probably have just gotten so many applications this cycle and decided to request that the personal statements are shorter so they can get through the apps quicker?

 

[Prospective O T]

I know it's all speculation at this point, but does anyone have any idea of how many applicants they have received for this cycle? Additionally, do we know how big this year's class size will be?

 

[Otkris]

Yes my personal statement was 2 pages and I submitted my application to them October 1. I feel that they probably have just gotten so many applications this cycle and decided to request that the personal statements are shorter so they can get through the apps quicker?

That's what my thought was...that they have so many applications that they're trying to make the paperwork more manageable. Now it's making me worried that if they have so many applications, it may be that much harder to get in. Fingers crossed for everyone on here

 

[hhOT]

Yes my personal statement was 2 pages and I submitted my application to them October 1. I feel that they probably have just gotten so many applications this cycle and decided to request that the personal statements are shorter so they can get through the apps quicker?

Dream told me that it was okay that mine was longer (1.75 pages) because it was submitted to OTCAS in early September and to the OT department on October 1st, before they changed the website. How long were the personal statements for those of you who were admitted?

 

[aama0616a]

So last we heard.. they would be getting to us mid January. Mmmmm now it is late January. GUYS this is killing me! They are doing this really.. oddly. We only know of one person who has been accepted. I feel like more of us would hear back if they were really sending things out. When I met with them in late November it kind of came out that they had accepted a few people already. It seemed like she didn't mean to tell me that so I just didn't pass that information along. I'm losing my ****. I declined my second choice school (their deposit was $750 with no refund!), now I have an interview with my reach school (which I didn't even consider because I figured I had no chance of getting an interview..) and I am so frustrated! I want to go to SJSU first but I cannot risk declining other acceptances.. what if no one else accepts me?! ahhhhhh. Just venting thanks guys!

 

[10ninja]

@aama0616a Good luck with the interview coming up! I hope we all hear back soon from SJSU!!

I have a question guys: Have there been instances of applicants applying in early October, but hear back with an acceptance much later in the cycle? I've looked at the sticky acceptances thread, and I've seen some people apply in October and get admitted in SJSU all the way in February.

 

[Prospective O T]

So last we heard.. they would be getting to us mid January. Mmmmm now it is late January. GUYS this is killing me! They are doing this really.. oddly. We only know of one person who has been accepted. I feel like more of us would hear back if they were really sending things out. When I met with them in late November it kind of came out that they had accepted a few people already. It seemed like she didn't mean to tell me that so I just didn't pass that information along. I'm losing my ****. I declined my second choice school (their deposit was $750 with no refund!), now I have an interview with my reach school (which I didn't even consider because I figured I had no chance of getting an interview..) and I am so frustrated! I want to go to SJSU first but I cannot risk declining other acceptances.. what if no one else accepts me?! ahhhhhh. Just venting thanks guys!

Good luck to you!!!!! Sending you good vibes. I was rejected from Uni of Illinois - Chicago recently so I'm really hopeful for SJSU, however I'm feeling less confident as time continues to pass. I should have applied to more safety schools, argh.

I submitted my OTCAS 10/31.
OTCAS verified 11/16.

For the curious:
- 3.77 overall GPA
- 4.0 prereq gpa
- 160 Verbal//153 Quant// 5.5 writing
- 120 hours split between skilled nursing and hand therapy clinic
- around 100 hours spent in additional rehab setting, non-OT related
- Good LOR from Physiology prof, OTR, and rehab specialist
- what I feel is a good PS (????)

 

[aama0616a]

Holy crap! Your stats are AMAZING! How did you not get accepted to UIC??? I applied there but have not heard back yet. I'm flying to Chicago tomorrow AM to interview with Rush! I applied there on a whim like, yeah right! haha. I would just like to hear back from UIC so I can stop wondering. I just wanna hear from SJSU so I can finally breathe and make some good decisions.

Where else have you applied? Any word from the rest?

Good luck to you!!!!! Sending you good vibes. I was rejected from Uni of Illinois - Chicago recently so I'm really hopeful for SJSU, however I'm feeling less confident as time continues to pass. I should have applied to more safety schools, argh.

I submitted my OTCAS 10/31.
OTCAS verified 11/16.

For the curious:
- 3.77 overall GPA
- 4.0 prereq gpa
- 160 Verbal//153 Quant// 5.5 writing
- 120 hours split between skilled nursing and hand therapy clinic
- around 100 hours spent in additional rehab setting, non-OT related
- Good LOR from Physiology prof, OTR, and rehab specialist
- what I feel is a good PS (????)

 

[Sk8OT52]

@aama0616a Good luck with the interview coming up! I hope we all hear back soon from SJSU!!

I have a question guys: Have there been instances of applicants applying in early October, but hear back with an acceptance much later in the cycle? I've looked at the sticky acceptances thread, and I've seen some people apply in October and get admitted in SJSU all the way in February.

From my understanding and best guess, I think they take their first picks early and hold out for more superstar applicants that may apply later. Later in the application cycle I think they start taking other highly qualified applicants depending on how many spaces they have left, and then send out waitlist and rejections in March. So it's definitely possible to receive an acceptance later in the cycle even though it's rolling!

 

[hhOT]

From my understanding and best guess, I think they take their first picks early and hold out for more superstar applicants that may apply later. Later in the application cycle I think they start taking other highly qualified applicants depending on how many spaces they have left, and then send out waitlist and rejections in March. So it's definitely possible to receive an acceptance later in the cycle even though it's rolling!

Seeing as only two people on this forum have been accepted I think that this application cycle is a little more delayed than previous cycles. SJSU is going through their ACOTE accreditation process in addition to receiving an exceptionally large number of applicants this year which I think is really delaying the process. In past years, significantly more people on these forums had heard back by this point. I think that the decision process is delayed because of the added stress on the OT department. Don't lose hope everyone! I truly think that the majority of the acceptances have not been released yet. Let's all try not to stress too much!

 

[kb 1086980]

I thought the MAT was pretty easy and scored well above the minimum. I took that over the GRE because of how short it is. It's also cheaper. There are practice tests you can buy from MAT that have actual questions from the previous exams, which are $30 each. You can buy three max. I would take one of those online and see how you score. If you score better than the 50th percentile (I think that's around the minimum for SJSU) then I think it might be worth taking it

hi! i was wondering after you took the MAT, when you received the preliminary score report at the testing site, does it include the scaled score and did you send this copy to SJSU (as the unofficial copy?)

 

[Prospective O T]

Holy crap! Your stats are AMAZING! How did you not get accepted to UIC??? I applied there but have not heard back yet. I'm flying to Chicago tomorrow AM to interview with Rush! I applied there on a whim like, yeah right! haha. I would just like to hear back from UIC so I can stop wondering. I just wanna hear from SJSU so I can finally breathe and make some good decisions.

Where else have you applied? Any word from the rest?

Thank you! I think UIC's rejection came from my lower quant score on the GRE. They said in a canned email that most applicants are in the 60th percentile on quant, I think I was around 53rd percentile or something.

I applied to four schools: SJSU, USC, Uni. of Washington, and UIC.

Good luck on your interview!! If you don't mind my asking, what school did you turn down?

 

[aama0616a]

Thank you! I think UIC's rejection came from my lower quant score on the GRE. They said in a canned email that most applicants are in the 60th percentile on quant, I think I was around 53rd percentile or something.

I applied to four schools: SJSU, USC, Uni. of Washington, and UIC.

Good luck on your interview!! If you don't mind my asking, what school did you turn down?

I most recently turned down midwestern - downers grove (my #2 choice). Before that I declined Uni of Utah and Salus.

I applied to: All of the above and UIC, Rush, Thomas Jefferson, SJSU and thinking of applying to West Coast University and/or Stanbridge College (in Irvine, CA).

I don't wanna freeze to death in IL. This California girl is not feeling that.

 

[ot2017please]

I most recently turned down midwestern - downers grove (my #2 choice). Before that I declined Uni of Utah and Salus.

I applied to: All of the above and UIC, Rush, Thomas Jefferson, SJSU and thinking of applying to West Coast University and/or Stanbridge College (in Irvine, CA).

I don't wanna freeze to death in IL. This California girl is not feeling that.

What are your thoughts on Stanbridge? Are they full accredited already?? I'm thinking about applying there as well since these OT programs are soooo competitive I have to apply almost everywhere lol

Good luck to you SJSU hopefuls, I really hope they get back to you all soon!

 

[wafflesoverpancakes]

hi! i was wondering after you took the MAT, when you received the preliminary score report at the testing site, does it include the scaled score and did you send this copy to SJSU (as the unofficial copy?)

Hi! I actually waited until I received the official mail copy because I wanted to submit everything at once in October and I had the mailed copy by then. The printout at the testing site gave me a "preliminary scaled score" which ended up being the same as my official scaled score when they mailed it to me though.

If I were you though, I might mail both copies and then have the official one sent in from ETS directly to the OT department. This is mostly because I'm neurotic and feel like I can't be too careful when it comes to official/unofficial documents though

Hope this helps!

 

[aama0616a]

Finally heard back from Dream. She said I should be hearing back by feb. Whatever thats fine I guess hahaha. I just had my interview at Rush and it was an awesome place but if i hear back from SJSU by feb I'll still be able to make a good decision! yaaayy. I hope that bit of an update helps us all cope :|

 

[SJSUOT16]

Finally heard back from Dream. She said I should be hearing back by feb. Whatever thats fine I guess hahaha. I just had my interview at Rush and it was an awesome place but if i hear back from SJSU by feb I'll still be able to make a good decision! yaaayy. I hope that bit of an update helps us all cope :|

I hope its early Feb.!