Am I at a disadvantage?

[jray0602]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello,

I'm looking for some advice from any OT students. I recently graduated with my bachelors and I am really interested in pursuing a masters in OT.

I am wondering if I will be at a disadvantage when applying to grad programs if my bachelors has nothing to do with OT? It seems like most students focus on kinesiology or something related to the field. My focus was speech-language pathology but after doing some observing I feel that OT would be a better career path for me. I find it a lot more interesting... I just wish I would have figured that out sooner!

I currently have a 3.59 cumulative GPA and I got a 900 on the GRE but will be taking it again in September/October. I have about 4-5 years of volunteer experience in various settings, however, most of it pertains to speech but could also be closely related to OT (school settings, rehab facilities, autism collaborative centers, special education settings, etc.) I also will be taking about 5 or 6 prerequisite classes for the program and I am going to push to get all A's and raise my GPA even more.

Do I even stand a chance in this competitive program? Is there anything else I can do within the next 6 months or so to make myself stand out even more? I am willing to really work hard to get into a program for next fall.

 

[EastCoastHope]

Don't worry about your BA field. I was a foreign language and history double major. 🙂

Most important, I firmly believe, is to identify the schools you want to apply to and go visit them. Layout who you are, what you have done and get honest feedback from them as to whether you'll be competitive in their program.

Do this also to make sure you want to invest your time and YOUR money in the program. Just because they are approved doesn't mean they are the right program for you. I visited one of the top programs in the US and frankly was disappointed with how little they cared about the MOT students verses the doctorate students. I didn't bother to follow up with them. Didn't want to spend 2.5 years feeling like a second class student, regardless of their ranking.

just my two cents. hope it helps.

 

[hawaiiguy]

Most of the graduates I know, and I've talked to other OT's who have confirmed similar observations, were psychology majors. Don't worry about it.

 

[ot1234]

We have very similar stats and my BS was in Recreation MGT. I was accepted at 3 schools including a top one. So, I think you'll do great! Just make sure you have a really good essay and apply early.

 

[babycheeks]

I got a Bachelor of Science in Human Services specialized in Gerontology even though this is one of the majors recommended for OT due to OT being a human service career, it doesn't matter on major they don't really care. You will do fine stats will workout!

 

[brisa2004]

I was a Political Science major for undergrad because initially I wanted to go to law school but after deciding on OT school, I worked various medical jobs at clinics and a hospital. That was what really helped me to get into OT school. My undergrad degree didn't make any difference at all and I was at no disadvantage than the other students who were child development or psychology majors. I did just as well as they did in the program and passed the certification exam on the first try too. I would say not to worry and your current qualifications look really good! You have a lot of experience in a very closely related field and many schools will appreciate that you have a lot of hours spent working with people in a real clinical setting versus some degree earned from bookwork.