General Admissions & OTCAS Another gap year?? Pros and cons

[OT6796]

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Hi! So just looking for some advice or just other’s opinions on the matter. I am currently in my first gap year after undergrad and this round of applying hasn’t gone as smoothly as I thought it would. I got into my safety school (East Carolina) but have been waitlisted at other programs I’m more interested in. I’m still waiting to hear from one school which is my top choice but it’s a really great program so I’m a bit nervous considering my track record so far. Basically my dilemma at this point is do I just suck it up and go to my safety school even though it’s not the best program and I’m not sure it’s where I wanna be? (I’m relocating from Pennsylvania). Or do I take another year to get more experience and reapply?

Some people say just get the degree it’s all the same in the end, everyone is an OT blah blah. But others says I should wait and spend my money on a program that’s right for me and that I will actually enjoy.

Just having a lil crisis over here! I can’t imagine taking another year off when I didn’t even plan on the first one so it’s all just a bit daunting. Any and all opinions are welcome!

 

[KnightOT]

Hi! I totally understand how you feel- it took me much longer to get accepted into OT school than I originally anticipated (although it seems to be the norm). It was discouraging and I felt like I failed. But now after 2 gap years, I finally got in, and it doesn’t feel as bad as I thought it would. It actually feels awesome finally accomplishing what I set out to do, and making it here even though it wasn’t as soon as I wanted.

Congratulations on being accepted somewhere during your first round of applying! I know it’s not your top pick, but it is an accomplishment.

My main advice is to take a few main things into account when trying to decide...
- Program costs: I’m not sure your situation, but student loan debt is a big thing among OTs. I’d recommend trying to go to the most affordable school you get accepted into. Student loan debt isn’t something you will have to face right away, but believe me, be concerned with it now and thank yourself later.
- The Relocation: If you don’t want to stay in the state whichever school you go to is, your NBCOT licensing may be different. Again, I just got accepted and haven’t started yet so I don’t know much about this, but as far as I understand it varies state to state. So it’s something to be prepared for and aware of. Speaking of, it’s a good idea to check NBCOT pass rates from school to school.
- Fieldwork Opportunities: not all schools are created equal when it comes to this. For me, fieldwork opportunities was a super important aspect of where I applied. If this is also important to you, try and find out what East Carolina has to offer and make sure it’s a good fit for you.
- Your values and missions as an OT: we’re not OTs yet, but we have an idea of what type of OT we want to be. For me I value compassion and empathy (as two examples). These were two things that my school of choice also valued and made me confident that I was going to be a good fit in their program. How do your values compare to East Carolina vs. other schools you applied? Most schools have their mission statement and core values listed on their websites.
- Follow your heart: only you know what is going to be right for you, as tough as that is sometimes. At the end of the day, sure, you will be an OT regardless of where you choose, when you go, etc. But OT school is an investment (a big one!) for the career we are passionate about. Accept into a program because you believe in it, and you are confident in the education you will receive from it.

I know this was long and I know there were some things I didn’t touch on, but I’d go on way too long if I didn’t cut myself off somewhere lol. Best of luck in your decision. Everything will workout exactly as it should in the end. Have faith in that.

 

[september0403]

Hi! So just looking for some advice or just other’s opinions on the matter. I am currently in my first gap year after undergrad and this round of applying hasn’t gone as smoothly as I thought it would. I got into my safety school (East Carolina) but have been waitlisted at other programs I’m more interested in. I’m still waiting to hear from one school which is my top choice but it’s a really great program so I’m a bit nervous considering my track record so far. Basically my dilemma at this point is do I just suck it up and go to my safety school even though it’s not the best program and I’m not sure it’s where I wanna be? (I’m relocating from Pennsylvania). Or do I take another year to get more experience and reapply?

Some people say just get the degree it’s all the same in the end, everyone is an OT blah blah. But others says I should wait and spend my money on a program that’s right for me and that I will actually enjoy.

Just having a lil crisis over here! I can’t imagine taking another year off when I didn’t even plan on the first one so it’s all just a bit daunting. Any and all opinions are welcome!

I think you should do what’s right for you and that you will actually enjoy, I’m in the same position and I don’t want to settle so I won’t! Good luck to you.

 

[rainyOT]

I had the same dilemma. Ultimately I decided to go to a school that was not my top choice that requires relocating, because I didn't want to miss the opportunity! Not to be that person, but an OT degree is an OT degree... lol.
But also! I totally understand taking a year off and there is absolutely no harm in doing so. It is just one year and getting more experience will not only help you to get into your top school but it will help make you a more educated and informed human.
Sorry this totally is not good advice, but just more things to think about, haha.

 

[future_OT6]

I ended up taking 3 gap years, and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. With the added experience, I got into every program I was interested in and overall, I feel so much more prepared for graduate study. Also, it can give you more time to save up money and work on your application for the following year so you can apply early. I am a strong advocate for taking more time if it's not the right program for you and if you're unsure about it.

 

[RUNNING_OT]

I ended up taking 3 gap years, and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. With the added experience, I got into every program I was interested in and overall, I feel so much more prepared for graduate study. Also, it can give you more time to save up money and work on your application for the following year so you can apply early. I am a strong advocate for taking more time if it's not the right program for you and if you're unsure about it.

I had a 3 year gap, too! I agree with feeling so much more prepared for grad school. Especially after working as a tech for a few years. IF you're unsure about the program, trust your gut. Take more time to save money if you need it.

 

[OT1296]

Hi! So just looking for some advice or just other’s opinions on the matter. I am currently in my first gap year after undergrad and this round of applying hasn’t gone as smoothly as I thought it would. I got into my safety school (East Carolina) but have been waitlisted at other programs I’m more interested in. I’m still waiting to hear from one school which is my top choice but it’s a really great program so I’m a bit nervous considering my track record so far. Basically my dilemma at this point is do I just suck it up and go to my safety school even though it’s not the best program and I’m not sure it’s where I wanna be? (I’m relocating from Pennsylvania). Or do I take another year to get more experience and reapply?

Some people say just get the degree it’s all the same in the end, everyone is an OT blah blah. But others says I should wait and spend my money on a program that’s right for me and that I will actually enjoy.

Just having a lil crisis over here! I can’t imagine taking another year off when I didn’t even plan on the first one so it’s all just a bit daunting. Any and all opinions are welcome!

Did you have to do an interview video question for ECU? It’s required this year and just curious what to expect.

 

[rainyOT]

I had the same dilemma. Ultimately I decided to go to a school that was not my top choice that requires relocating, because I didn't want to miss the opportunity! Not to be that person, but an OT degree is an OT degree... lol.
But also! I totally understand taking a year off and there is absolutely no harm in doing so. It is just one year and getting more experience will not only help you to get into your top school but it will help make you a more educated and informed human.
Sorry this totally is not good advice, but just more things to think about, haha.

Actually, ended up not relocating. So taking another year and I have already been able to get so much more experience. I feel much more prepared and will be saving more money in the long run. This year has already gone by so fast!

 

[dnh]

I ended up taking 3 gap years, and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. With the added experience, I got into every program I was interested in and overall, I feel so much more prepared for graduate study. Also, it can give you more time to save up money and work on your application for the following year so you can apply early. I am a strong advocate for taking more time if it's not the right program for you and if you're unsure about it.

Can you please let me know what type of extra experience you were able to get during your 3 years that helped you get into all of the programs you applied to? Thanks so much for any info.

 

[MPHGOALSSSS]

Following

 

[future_OT6]

Can you please let me know what type of extra experience you were able to get during your 3 years that helped you get into all of the programs you applied to? Thanks so much for any info.

Definitely! I spent those 3 years primarily working as a Research Coordinator at an R1 university, and the research that my lab did was closely related to OT. It also gave me time to retake some of my pre-reqs, and I was able to get a lot more shadowing hours outside of work (I shadowed 2 OTs--one in private practice and one in a school).