Program-Specific Info / Q's Abilene Christian University New MOT program

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Shannon**

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I'm submitting a last minute application to the new Occupational Therapy program starting up at Abilene Christian University. I know it's not good to apply so late but we'll see what happens. Did anyone else apply there?

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Hi Shannon! I also applied to ACU's new program. You didn't apply as late as you think because they have extended the deadline to February 1. Have you applied anywhere else? I have applied to four other schools and have been wait-listed for two of them (I haven't heard from the other two yet), so this could be my last shot. They are not accredited yet, but they are well on their way to accreditation. The program sounds like it has a lot of potential, and it is only two years long!
 
I applied to UTMB and was wait listed. I do not have medical terminology and I am waiting for them to tell me I can take it through straighter line. I'm actually pretty excited about their new program and I feel like even if a spot opened up at UTMB if I got into ACU I would choose them.
 
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Same here! I was wait-listed to TWU Houston as well. I applied to Texas Tech and UTHSCSA, but I haven't heard from them. How much do you know about the program?
 
Same here! I was wait-listed to TWU Houston as well. I applied to Texas Tech and UTHSCSA, but I haven't heard from them. How much do you know about the program?
I really only know what is listed on their website. For undergrad I attended a private christian school and am excited to possibly do the same for OT school, their level 1 field work can be done in Abilene and I believe with UTMB we have to go to random places for the week or so, and a huge plus for me is that their online application is so user friendly and I've already been in touch with their admissions office a few times by phone and email and they have been soooo helpful and pleasant and that certainly has not been the case at UTMB.
 
I am still waiting on all of my letters of rec to be completed but I asked how many ppl were applying and they said so far there are 30 completed applications (ugh, and they only accept 22!) so with mine that will be at least 31 applicants. Will someone please post when they have been accepted to ACU for OT?!?
 
I am still waiting on all of my letters of rec to be completed but I asked how many ppl were applying and they said so far there are 30 completed applications (ugh, and they only accept 22!) so with mine that will be at least 31 applicants. Will someone please post when they have been accepted to ACU for OT?!?
Omg!!! only 31 applied so far??? That's why they extended their deadline. Too funny. Yeah everything was turned in by December 12, 2014. I still have to take Anatomy 1 and Anatomy 2 which I'm enrolled in. I still have to take abnormal psychology and physics.
 
Hi Shannon! I also applied to ACU's new program. You didn't apply as late as you think because they have extended the deadline to February 1. Have you applied anywhere else? I have applied to four other schools and have been wait-listed for two of them (I haven't heard from the other two yet), so this could be my last shot. They are not accredited yet, but they are well on their way to accreditation. The program sounds like it has a lot of potential, and it is only two years long!

Hello can please tell me your stats. I also applied which I've turned everything in by December 12. I was wondering if you are completely done with your prereqs??? I've still have to take physics. I'm enrolled in anatomy and physiology 1 and 2. I'm just afraid they wont chose me because I'm not done with my prereqs.
 
@GradSchoolz are you wondering about my stats? I have all prereqs done except Med Term which I'm taking online right now. Thus far I have an A in all prereqs except for a B in statistics. My cumulative is 3.87 and I've observed in 3 different settings and have tons of other volunteer hours in other special needs settings. All of this has done me no good thus far cause I've been wait listed at UTMB twice. Is this what you wanted to know?
 
I just reread my post above and I was in a rush when I wrote it, it sounds really snippy and I didn't mean for it to, I truly wasn't (and still aren't) sure what you were asking about
 
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yeah but I'm not so sure there's much free time in OT school either...
I'm excited because any city has got to be cheaper than Austin!!
 
Has anyone heard how many total applicants they got? I heard they delayed the deadline until this Friday even though they didn't post it. I fear that there may be a lot more applicants than I previously thought. Anyway good luck everyone!
 
I've actually been accepted to UTMB so I haven't checked back in with ACU
 
Yeah, it's already accredited and the big thing for me is that it's way cheaper than Abilene. Keep me posted on where you end up!
 
Has anyone heard anything new regarding ACU's first class? I asked if there would be an interview, but at the time I wasn't given a definitive answer. I know they moved the acceptance announcements to April to coincide with accreditation but wasn't sure if we would just be getting an answer straight away or invited to interview. I wonder if they are still accepting applications since they moved the deadline again??
 
Hey @TexasOT2be! I talked to someone from admissions a few months ago, and he said they would not be doing interviews. Therefore we should know whether or not we are accepted in April! I wasn't aware they moved the deadline again. Wasn't it February 1st?
Has anyone heard anything new regarding ACU's first class? I asked if there would be an interview, but at the time I wasn't given a definitive answer. I know they moved the acceptance announcements to April to coincide with accreditation but wasn't sure if we would just be getting an answer straight away or invited to interview. I wonder if they are still accepting applications since they moved the deadline again??
 
Yes I applied......They told me 60 applicants applied so far but that was in January when I called them. I'm so nervous.....If you don't mind me asking. What are you stats? Have you applied to any other OT programs?
 
@otgirl1988

It looks like they have extended their application deadline a couple of times so far. On their website today it has April 1 listed as the deadline to apply. To me that sounds like we won't be getting acceptance/denial information until the end of April. Of course it all depends on the accreditation process. Originally we were to hear in March. Hopefully, it won't get pushed until May. Thanks for the update on the interviews.

Good luck!
 
I was considering it, but I just got an interview request for someplace else the same day.
 
No, I have an interview out of state that day. Just curious what I will be missing.
 
Anybody heard anything about how many applied??? I'm getting nervous about the application process. I was rejected from a program already and it was like a kick in the stomach.........but I'm not giving up........right
 
It doesn't matter how many rejections you get as long as you get one acceptance to a place you think you will like. I've gotten about as many outright rejections (we aren't interested in interviewing you) as I've gotten interview requests. Some of the schools I'm considering aren't doing interviews and haven't finished reviewing applications or even taking new apps.
 
Ok, so April is officially here...has anyone heard anything from ACU regarding their accreditation status?
 
Ok, so April is officially here...has anyone heard anything from ACU regarding their accreditation status?
So does anyone know about Abilene Christian University?? Has anyone checked the website??? I notice that the school took off one of the pereqs… My gpa is sitting at a 2.95……however I'm still completing classes…..I have all A's in my pereqs except for general psychology…..I will be shocked if I get in……I also have my CNA certificate so I can work with patients…..I feel like if I don't get in this year. I will get in next year due to the fact I will be working as an CNA, and getting more Observation hours…..GOD PLEASE HELP ME
 
I got the impression that the accreditation might be related to a meeting close in time to the AOTA convention, which is this weekend. Since I'm not that far from Baltimore, I had hoped to go to the convention. When I talked to AOTA, they said that even though I'm applying to schools I couldn't join as a student member. And even once I got accepted someplace they said that since I hadn't started classes yet, I still wasn't eligible. Eventually I decided I couldn't afford $500 to go as a non-member.

Anyways, I think ACU should know more soon about their status. I didn't go to the preview day on the 28th. Too many conflicts and costs to travel.

Did anyone go to the preview day, and what did you find out?
 
I just checked the ACU website, and now it says that acceptances will be granted by May 1st. I guess I can quit checking my email every ten minutes then, since I thought we'd be hearing in April. I wonder how many applicants they ended up getting?

Is there anyone already accepted at UTMB that also applied to ACU and plan on switching if accepted?
 
I would think it is unlikely that anyone would withdraw acceptance from a school ranked #14 by US News to go to a school that is starting its first class that isn't accredited yet. It's always possible that someone got a negative impression of UTMB but still got in. My experience with job interviewing and corporate cultures is usually that if a candidate gets bad vibes about a place, that often the feeling is mutual.

If someone had strong ties to ACU, Abilene or the Church of Christ denomination, its always possible to prefer ACU over UTMB. But if they were a strong enough candidate to get into UTMB then they probably would have assumed they would automatically get into ACU.

I wish I would have been able to visit on the 28th and find out more about the program.
 
@CurlyHairedGirl
The reason I asked that is because several people at the interview agreed that ACU staff were much friendlier and more helpful than those at UTMB, and if given the choice they would pick ACU (assuming accreditation, of course).

Yes, I agree. I wish I could have gone on the 28th as well.
 
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I got an email Friday saying ACU had passed the initial stage, and could move into the second stage and admit students.
 
I am still waiting on all of my letters of rec to be completed but I asked how many ppl were applying and they said so far there are 30 completed applications (ugh, and they only accept 22!) so with mine that will be at least 31 applicants. Will someone please post when they have been accepted to ACU for OT?!?


Only 30 apps!? I might have to apply here next cycle!!!! Odds are good for getting in with only 30 apps haha. Any word on how many apps they got overall, I heard they extended their deadline a few times.
 
At least 60 due to all of the extensions
I'm going to say about 60 to 70 applied! They already have fall 2015 up for the next cycle. I've heard some people got in at other institutions so that may help. I don't know we will see. I have all A's in my classes except for medical terminology.
 
I just wanted to let people know who applied to ACU that I just received an email saying that I have been recommended for acceptance. So start checking your emails for information.
 
@sparkle98911 & OTforever Congratulations! I'm glad to hear they are letting people know now! :clap:

You guys both received the emails after 10pm? Or did you both just mean today?

How long do you have to accept/refuse your position?
 
E-mail came in at 10.12pm. u have until April 30 to accept/refuse.
 
Guess they are sending out rejections after midnight. Sigh...

Good luck to y'all! Hope the first class at ACU is a great experience!
 
I don't know if they are sending out wait list notifications as well. I will be denying my acceptance, so there will be a spot open!
 
Also rejected. May have something to do with running late on turning everything in.

MakingMoves, just work on strengthening your application in different areas. More observation hours, retake classes, take more advanced classes that just a few schools require but that look good to the schools who would have you take those classes in your first year of school (neuroscience, advanced anatomy/cadaver, biomechanics, medical ethics?)

And take time to think hard about what is your burning passion for OT ? Not just thinking its a high paying, growth career with high job satisfaction that sounds like its better than the alternatives. In my case, it is that I like working hands on helping people face to face, one on one. I also believe that physical rehabilitation that allows people to stay active throughout the latter part of life is key to preventing many obesity/inactivity related illnesses - the ones that are causing skyrocketing healthcare costs. Also, my somewhat unsatisfactory experiences with being a Physical therapy patient make me want to approach things differently and try ways of tracking/improving long term outcomes.

Please nobody plagiarize what I just said, just think about what speaks to you in OT and how you would express it in an interview that would make your passion show through. In my case, if I won the lottery I would probably still go and do some form of formal rehab science degree, then self-fund health promotion and research.
 
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