General Admissions & OTCAS Advice Needed: Career Change - no luck in 1st app cycle

[MSOT33]

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Hi All,

I'm hoping the collective experience on this forum can give me some guidance. Any input is greatly appreciated.

I'm looking to make a career change from engineering to OT and was unsuccessful in my first application cycle. I'm afraid my undergraduate engineering grades are hindering me from acceptance and I'm looking for opinions on what I can do to be more successful if I choose to re-apply next year.

I graduated in 2004 from Penn State University w/ a BS in Chemical Engineering with 2.9 GPA. I describe in my personal statement how my lack of identity and passion contributed to my poor undergrad GPA. I go on to describe how my my personal search for identity led me to the discovery of OT and that I'm committed to realizing that dream. Since taking all of the pre-reqs I was able to boost my undergrad overall GPA to 3.0 (Pre-req GPA 3.75, post-bacc GPA 3.83). I've been working full-time as an engineer for the past 10 years with increasing responsibility (including supervisory experience) and have other charitable experience (mentoring and fundraising). My volunteer hours were diverse but limited due to working full-time and taking classes at night. I had 40 hours with hospital acute rehab, visiting nurses association and industrial ergonomics.

I would like to reapply next year, casting a slightly larger net in terms of schools. I plan to also apply as a transfer student to some BS/MS combined programs as a back-up. In the next year, I can gain more OT experience, get better recommendations and take some more OT specific courses, but there's not much I can do about my undergrad GPA. Even straight A's in a reasonable amount of credits is only likely to boost me to 3.1. Has my undergrad engineering GPA doomed or can I be competitive at the right school with the right combination of experience and pre-req course-work? I will be applying to schools in and around NY/NJ/CT area (Sacred Heart, NYIT, Seton Hall, Columbia, NYU, SUNY Downstate).

Thanks,

B

 

[ot55419]

I don't think you are doomed. I got in with similar stats (10 yrs post college with a 2.9 gpa in an unrelated undergrad field, 4.0 in 30+ post bacc credits, including all my prereqs except a B in statistics from 2003, brought my gpa up to 3.08). Are you able to retake prereqs you didn't get an A in? How about the GRE?

 

[beestrng]

Your geography might limit you with an overall gpa like yours. I can only say there are schools that accept last 60 creds like WMU in michigan. Same with USA (you would be a shoe in lol).

Not familiar with OTCAS- but you are probably filtered out before anyone even looks at your app. Look into non OTCAS schools?

 

[thebiggestsky]

In the personal essay, I might suggest focusing more on your strengths and your interest in OT, why you are drawn to the field, what makes you unique, and less on trying to explain away a lower GPA from several years ago.

And if you search through this forum or GradCafe, you might be able to gauge your chances for different programs. And cut out programs that are stats-driven.

 

[scubagator87]

I can safely say that you are NOT doomed, although you may need to consider a nationwide applicant pool. What is your GPA for the last 60 hours of your bachelors? What are your GRE scores? Note that some schools do not calculate any classes you take post-bacc into overall GPA OR upper division GPA.

That being said, I was just accepted to a school (University of St. Augustine). I chose them because they don't even look at cumulative GPA, instead focusing mostly on pre-reqs, 45 credit hours taken, and GRE scores. I was wait listed at UF, which I'll count as an achievement since I was rejected from them outright last year, lol. I would recommend focusing on schools that DON'T use cumulative GPA as a tool (or if they do look at programs with lower than 3.0 cumulative requirement)

My overall GPA for my bachelor's degree (was a liberal arts major that had a rough first couple years) is a 2.8, 3.02 when you factor in all of my post-bacc pre-reqs; last 60 hours of bachelors is a 3.23. Pre-req GPA is 4.0, GRE combined score of 320 (writing score:5). There was also an interview as part of the process. I did not talk at all about my academic struggles in my essay, only emphasizing academic prowess in pre-req courses and my "growth" as a student. My thinking was they can look at your transcripts and assess your grade trend for themselves.

I know it can be sooo frustrating because their really is no "easy" school to get into, especially for people like us that had a couple less than stellar semesters in undergrad. Focus on programs that evaluate areas you are strong in (like your pre-req GPA). I would be happy to give you a list of programs that I found which may be easier for you to get into, although I don't think any of them were in the area you're currently considering.

 

[kgprospot]

I graduated with a b.s. in chemistry, and my ugrad gpa was only a 3.23. I really thought I would never get in anywhere, and I always wondered if admissions would consider how tough the physical sciences are. I ended up getting in on my first try and will be attending Stony Brook's program. I suggest you get more observation hours and get them in more settings. I work f/t too, so I had to stick with observing mostly on Saturdays. I used a few vacation days to get hours in a couple more settings; it wasn't a ton of hours, but I had to do everything I could to boost my app. I ended up applying with 80 hours in 4 different settings. I also had really strong letters of recommendation from my two bosses. I think that helped me a lot because I had two people with very high positions justifying my strengths in the workplace that carry over to OT. So, make sure you are choosing the best ppl possible for letters of recommendation. Professors are not always the best choice. Finally, I would revisit your list of programs. For example, Downstate is SUPER competitive, and I think they put a strong emphasis on gpa. Look at this forum and see who is getting interviews and what their stats are. That should help you gauge where to apply. Good luck!

 

[sky7]

Hi All,

I'm hoping the collective experience on this forum can give me some guidance. Any input is greatly appreciated.

I'm looking to make a career change from engineering to OT and was unsuccessful in my first application cycle. I'm afraid my undergraduate engineering grades are hindering me from acceptance and I'm looking for opinions on what I can do to be more successful if I choose to re-apply next year.

I graduated in 2004 from Penn State University w/ a BS in Chemical Engineering with 2.9 GPA. I describe in my personal statement how my lack of identity and passion contributed to my poor undergrad GPA. I go on to describe how my my personal search for identity led me to the discovery of OT and that I'm committed to realizing that dream. Since taking all of the pre-reqs I was able to boost my undergrad overall GPA to 3.0 (Pre-req GPA 3.75, post-bacc GPA 3.83). I've been working full-time as an engineer for the past 10 years with increasing responsibility (including supervisory experience) and have other charitable experience (mentoring and fundraising). My volunteer hours were diverse but limited due to working full-time and taking classes at night. I had 40 hours with hospital acute rehab, visiting nurses association and industrial ergonomics.

I would like to reapply next year, casting a slightly larger net in terms of schools. I plan to also apply as a transfer student to some BS/MS combined programs as a back-up. In the next year, I can gain more OT experience, get better recommendations and take some more OT specific courses, but there's not much I can do about my undergrad GPA. Even straight A's in a reasonable amount of credits is only likely to boost me to 3.1. Has my undergrad engineering GPA doomed or can I be competitive at the right school with the right combination of experience and pre-req course-work? I will be applying to schools in and around NY/NJ/CT area (Sacred Heart, NYIT, Seton Hall, Columbia, NYU, SUNY Downstate).

Thanks,

B

I have similar stats, and also with a different undergraduate degree, and trying back to school in OT now after 8 years of work experience in just healthcare administration. DON'T WORRY!!! you are safe and not doomed at all, I am also from the NY area and have applied to the same schools. But I also applied to different out of state schools too, like Bay Path. I would def. aim to strengthen your personal statement by focusing on your confidence in your versatile background and focusing on what qualities you have to succeed as an Occupational Therapist (it helps to research what the OT world is all about and the main attributes to have to be one). Changing up your letters of recommendations for the 2nd cycle is definitely a key point as well as trying to get more hours of observation experiences. If so, try to observe in at least two different settings, they like to see diversity in your experiences. I hope this helps! email me if you have any questions, I'm a non-traditional applicant that completely have been in the same position as you and am rooting for you! Be positive and don't give up on the 1st try!

 

[chicagoOT23]

Hi All,

I'm hoping the collective experience on this forum can give me some guidance. Any input is greatly appreciated.

I'm looking to make a career change from engineering to OT and was unsuccessful in my first application cycle. I'm afraid my undergraduate engineering grades are hindering me from acceptance and I'm looking for opinions on what I can do to be more successful if I choose to re-apply next year.

I graduated in 2004 from Penn State University w/ a BS in Chemical Engineering with 2.9 GPA. I describe in my personal statement how my lack of identity and passion contributed to my poor undergrad GPA. I go on to describe how my my personal search for identity led me to the discovery of OT and that I'm committed to realizing that dream. Since taking all of the pre-reqs I was able to boost my undergrad overall GPA to 3.0 (Pre-req GPA 3.75, post-bacc GPA 3.83). I've been working full-time as an engineer for the past 10 years with increasing responsibility (including supervisory experience) and have other charitable experience (mentoring and fundraising). My volunteer hours were diverse but limited due to working full-time and taking classes at night. I had 40 hours with hospital acute rehab, visiting nurses association and industrial ergonomics.

I would like to reapply next year, casting a slightly larger net in terms of schools. I plan to also apply as a transfer student to some BS/MS combined programs as a back-up. In the next year, I can gain more OT experience, get better recommendations and take some more OT specific courses, but there's not much I can do about my undergrad GPA. Even straight A's in a reasonable amount of credits is only likely to boost me to 3.1. Has my undergrad engineering GPA doomed or can I be competitive at the right school with the right combination of experience and pre-req course-work? I will be applying to schools in and around NY/NJ/CT area (Sacred Heart, NYIT, Seton Hall, Columbia, NYU, SUNY Downstate).

Thanks,

B

I'm in a very similar situation.. my BS was in Finance and I graduated with a 3.0 in 2010. I have straight As in my pre-reqs but that was only enough to bump me to a 3.1 cum GPA. My personal statement was all about how I found my "true calling" (not as corny as that.. but you get the picture) and I thought I would have a leg up in showing my passion for the field because I would be making a huge life change to become an OT. I think I underestimated how competitive the process is and have been denied from 3 schools and wait-listed for one. I'm also confined to the Chicago area which makes it even tougher.

So, I've started looking into applying for next year and possibly opening myself up to other options. I believe that a DIVERSE number of shadowing/volunteering hours can really help- the more aspects of OT, the better.

I also am considering getting a different masters degree in a similar field.. for example, my goal is to work as a pediatric OT and focus on developmental and sensory disorders. There are several online masters programs in this field that are much more flexible and less expensive than OT school. OF COURSE, it's very different than becoming a licensed professional, but I thought if I completed my masters in developmental disabilities I would be able to work in the field (make some money/gain experience) and then decide if I need to go to OT school to progress my career. If that is the case (which I believe it will be), then I will be a better candidate because I will have completed a Master's in a related field, raised my GPA, and had work experience in a similar industry. Basically, by earning an actual degree (rather than taking random courses to raise my GPA), it will either lead me to a career on its own, or it will make me a better OT candidate in the future. (I hope!!)

Anyway, just an idea from someone who is having the same concerns as you!! Good luck!!

 

[OTinOC]

Hi @MSOT33 and @chicagoOT23 ,

I wanted to chime in on this thread because, like the both of you, I started out my OT journey with a relatively low gpa (3.2) and super average gre scores (155V, 152Q, 4.5AWA). I majored in communication studies and marketing and slacked off during my undergraduate years because I wasn't driven towards any particular goal besides finishing school. And like the both of you, my mentality completely changed after finding a career that aligned so well with everything I was looking for in a profession. It was like a light bulb turned on and I saw with so much clarity what I wanted to do with my life and what I needed to do to get there. I'm sure you both felt the same way and that's kind of the point. I think that we all think that our situations are unique and our journey to OT is unlike any one else's but, in reality, a lot of us have such similar stories and so I think the way to really stand out from the crowd is to identify yourself as a future OT with clear visions and goals. I honestly think what really helped me get accepted to my dream grad school was that I was able to move past my less than ideal past and write about what I have done to help me become a strong candidate and what my goals were for myself. I worked as a behavioral therapist and wrote about that, I volunteered abroad in a developing country for a couple of weeks and I wrote about how that inspired me to want to earn a doctorate degree in order to be able to develop social programs for the underserved when I graduate. I think finding a different angle is important to help yourself stand out from the masses because stats are really just numbers and they will get you in the door but having a good personal statement that clearly and cohesively shows the admissions committee who you are and what you stand for will be the deciding factor on whether they invite you to stay.

Just my opinion anyway. I wish you guys all the best!