Other OT-Related Information 2.8/2.9 GPA

[jessit5]

Do you think anyone has ever gotten accepted into an MOT program with a 2.8/2.9 cumulative GPA?

Also, how do you think most schools would calculate the GPA for a pre-requisite course that was repeated 3 times? How do these schools calculate repeats anyway? Do they generally take the average of the two?

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[TCMena]

it is possible but a very slim chance. there are a few rare ones who got into some programs. it depends on other factors such as higher GRE scores, extracurriculars, LORs, etc.

some programs factor in all repeated grades and attempts. some programs only count the most recent grade for the prereq GPA and any repeats go into the cumulative GPA. it depends which program you apply to. you should ask specific programs. most schools count every attempt and average them. some schools only look at the last 30-60 units which is why some people can get in with a lower cumulative GPA.

it is best to boost your overall GPA and prereq grades if you can

 

[kitkat1923]

I applied with a slightly lower cum. GPA believe it or not and I got an interview at St. Ambrose University and am waitlisted. I did a lot of emailing to schools when I was applying earlier this year and I made sure I applied to all schools that looked at your last 60 hours and didn't absolutely require you to have a 3.0 overall cum. GPA (which isn't many of the schools unfortunately). With those schools I emailed them all saying after I graduated (in 2014) I went back and retook classes and took several new classes and gotten A's in all of them, which included A&P I and A&P II with labs. Each school calculates grades differently, some calculate each and every attempt you've taken at a class and others average them together or take the most recent grade. What I made sure I did was to have strong GRE scores, great LORs, a lot of observation hours, and a strong personal statement. I think all those really helped me out in getting a chance at one school. I am currently still on the waitlist. So there is hope for some of us, however, you never know with each cycle being different. I think you should apply as early as possible, and make sure everything else about your application is great. I also think emailing schools about your situation can really help. I know it can get really intimidating reading posts on here with great stats, but just know that schools look at more than just academics. I am still hoping I get in this year but if not I will improve my application and apply again next year. I know many students on here that have done just that and they have gotten in. So don't lose hope and good luck!

 

[peterpan123]

Do you think anyone has ever gotten accepted into an MOT program with a 2.8/2.9 cumulative GPA?

Also, how do you think most schools would calculate the GPA for a pre-requisite course that was repeated 3 times? How do these schools calculate repeats anyway? Do they generally take the average of the two?

Yes, it is possible to get in. I had the same GPA and was invited to 3 interviews (declined one), waitlisted at 2 programs, and accepted into 3 programs so far (2 MSOT, 1 OTD; still waiting on 2 programs).

My advice is to show consistency and be persistent. What I lacked in my cGPA (I was a bio major and didn't like it), I made up for with my extracurriculars (did research, ABA therapy, worked at a program for kids with special needs, medical trip to South America, volunteered in sports camp for kids with special needs, shadowed OTs in 2 diff settings, volunteered at assisted living facility), my GRE score, and post-bacc classes (I retook a few classes to get a higher grade and took a lot of child dev classes and obtained a certificate in special ed.). From my personal experience, I found that schools that conduct interviews tend to look at applicants more wholly as individuals, rather than just numbers and statistics. I applied to many, many schools, from unaccreditted to MSOT to OTD. I thought I wouldn't change much of my personal statement after the first round, but as I kept writing, I ended up changing 1/3 of my PS to make it stronger. Make sure your recommenders know you well and can write a killer LoR for you. And do not be afraid to call schools to ask them for advice; most programs are willing to help if you take time to schedule an advising session

Best of luck to you, the process is daunting but it will be rewarding once you get there!

 

[jessit5]

Yes, it is possible to get in. I had the same GPA and was invited to 3 interviews (declined one), waitlisted at 2 programs, and accepted into 3 programs so far (2 MSOT, 1 OTD; still waiting on 2 programs).

My advice is to show consistency and be persistent. What I lacked in my cGPA (I was a bio major and didn't like it), I made up for with my extracurriculars (did research, ABA therapy, worked at a program for kids with special needs, medical trip to South America, volunteered in sports camp for kids with special needs, shadowed OTs in 2 diff settings, volunteered at assisted living facility), my GRE score, and post-bacc classes (I retook a few classes to get a higher grade and took a lot of child dev classes and obtained a certificate in special ed.). From my personal experience, I found that schools that conduct interviews tend to look at applicants more wholly as individuals, rather than just numbers and statistics. I applied to many, many schools, from unaccreditted to MSOT to OTD. I thought I wouldn't change much of my personal statement after the first round, but as I kept writing, I ended up changing 1/3 of my PS to make it stronger. Make sure your recommenders know you well and can write a killer LoR for you. And do not be afraid to call schools to ask them for advice; most programs are willing to help if you take time to schedule an advising session

Best of luck to you, the process is daunting but it will be rewarding once you get there!

This is so encouraging to hear! How many years did you have to apply to finally get into a school & which schools did you apply to? This is my first year applying. But I've been wanting this since I was a sophomore in college. I had a lot of set backs in my academic career. Like you, I started off with Bio at the Uni and didn't like it, my GPA suffered & I switched to a different major. Then last year I was close to applying to OTCAS but an OTR wasn't willing to write me a LOR because she said she didn't work around me enough to have things to write about. I've also been trying to make up for my GPA by doing extracurriculars. I've worked in Elderly Day Care settings, and in Special Ed. classrooms as a Para. I've shadowed different places, and volunteered at an In-Patient Rehab.

I do think you're right on calling the schools to ask them for advice about my specific situation. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

 

[peterpan123]

This is so encouraging to hear! How many years did you have to apply to finally get into a school & which schools did you apply to? This is my first year applying. But I've been wanting this since I was a sophomore in college. I had a lot of set backs in my academic career. Like you, I started off with Bio at the Uni and didn't like it, my GPA suffered & I switched to a different major. Then last year I was close to applying to OTCAS but an OTR wasn't willing to write me a LOR because she said she didn't work around me enough to have things to write about. I've also been trying to make up for my GPA by doing extracurriculars. I've worked in Elderly Day Care settings, and in Special Ed. classrooms as a Para. I've shadowed different places, and volunteered at an In-Patient Rehab.

I do think you're right on calling the schools to ask them for advice about my specific situation. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

I graduated in 2014 and am entering the program Fall 2017. I applied to over 20 schools between the two cycles (I took my pre-reqs my first year after graduating); it was a lot of money applying and flying out for interviews but it is worth it. Sometimes it helps if you send in a list of recent accomplishments or things to highlights (qualities, interactions with clients that made you realize why you are pursuing OT/moments where you realized you didn't like XYZ profession and how it led you to OT, teamwork projects, etc.) to the person writing your LoR because these are things that aren't highlighted in your resume and it makes your LoR much more personable. It'll help you write your PS and your LoR write your letter.

Think of your interactions in the elderly day care settings and sp.ed class. Every time you walk in, there is bound to be something different that happens. I work in a classroom right now and I can guarantee you that there are times where you may love your job or times where you wonder why there isn't any change happening (then you can write about what you can do to make that change for the student, for the class to run smoother, etc.). I brought a small notebook with me whenever I shadowed or volunteered to write down what the OT was doing, what I was doing with the client, or if anything out of the ordinary happened so I could look back and see which moments stuck out for me to write in my PS and in answering questions for my interviews

I wish you the best of luck! I believe in you!