Ways to spend gap year for OT?

[southerngirl100]

I am hoping to get accepted into an OT masters degree program for the fall, but not sure if that will happen. If it doesn't, I will end up having a gap year during which I can do more things to ready myself for starting a program in the fall of next year. I was just wondering if anyone on here has any ideas about the best ways to spend a gap year for OT. Would completing a second bachelors degree during this time be a good idea? What are some other things that I can do over a gap year besides more shadowing that will make my application more impressive? If I do end up having to wait a year for grad school, I don't want it to be a year of wasted time.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Goudahaveit]

I got a job as a research assistant in Rehab Medicine. I don't think completing a second bachelors is necessary. I would try to get a job that is hopefully semi related to OT (education, therapy office, working with certain populations, such as the elderly, children with developmental disabilities, people with physical disabilities, etc). I think showing that you are hireable and having a good reference from an employer is helpful (especially if that employer can talk about how well you would fit with OT or how well you interact with certain populations)

 

[gialuan]

You can work as an OT aide (NOT an assistant) at a private clinic. It'll give you clinical experience while getting paid.

 

[133909]

I was in this boat last year. I dont think it is necessary to get another degree. If you are planning to take the GRE and your scores are average, I would take a prep class. I did and it helped me raise my scores. I also spent a lot of time doing OT observations because the more hours you have, the more competitive applicant you will be. Another thing I did was het a job that pertains more to OT. I work in a school with kids who have autism. Some schools look for leadership roles and volunteering so that could be something to look into as well. Good luck!!

 

[OTTXGirl]

I would definitely say get a variety of experience volunteering. Both of the schools I interviewed with mentioned they were impressed with the amount of volunteer experience I had in a variety of settings. I think it is what set me apart from other applicants and subsequently landed me admission to both programs.

 

[prodigiousflame]

hi ottxgirl how many settings did you volunteer in?

 

[OTTXGirl]

I interned at a Sports medicine institute for 6 mos, at TIRR (Texas Institute for Rehabilitation & Research) in Houston where Gabby Gifford did rehab at for a year. A pediatric rehab clinic for 6 months, I have been a volunteer at Ronald Mcdonald House charities for 3 yrs, and volunteered at a ptsd clinic for 6 mos.

 

[prodigiousflame]

thanks so much