Applicants for 2012 cycle

[devchonka]

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🙂 Hi everyone😀
I am new to this website, and a complete novice in the whole application process for Grad School. I am applying to MOT program for 2012 cycle, and honestly speaking I am very lost and scared that I won't make a cut , or will mess up on my application.
I am doubting myself, because my GPA is low..my only hop is my letters of recommendation, and personal statement.

I also selected and narrowed down 10 schools of choice . Not sure if it's too many to apply to....

My stats:

Undergrad School: UCLA
Major: Psychology
GPA: 3.045 😕 😕 😕

I have all the prereqs completed (except Medical Terminology that I am planning on taking fall 2011) and my GPA is 3.4 for prereqs
Scinece GPA about 3.37
Last 30 credits (Undergrad) : 3.5
GPA with all the classes from undergrad and after is about 3.2

I have good grades for all of my science courses, except Statitics (C+)


Observation hours are about 80 as of right now
3 years of experience in geriatric facility (Social Worker)

Bilingual

Letters of Recommendation

1. OTR (co-worker)😉
2. Psychiatrist (my supervisor)
3. Supervisor from Food Bank for Homeless program (where I volunteered last summer)
4. Proferssor from UCLA that I worked with (I was a tutor for her students)

I can only choose 2-3 letters of recommendation, and I am struggling !!! I can't decide if I should use a professor or volunteering supervisor for my references.😱 Need your advice😱

Any comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated
Thank you in advance !👍

And Happy 4th of July!😛

 

[STHERE]

It doesn't sound too bad to me! I think you are over reacting, especially since you got the bilingual part under your belt. I do not think 10 schools is too many, that will increase your chances to getting accepted into at least one. I think you should go with the recommendation that knows you the best, longest and the type of person that will "juice" up a recommendation to a lot of flattery. Sometimes people are not the gushy, but I think it would help strength your application to make up for the GPA.


Maybe, if anything...retake statistics and bump it up to a B

 

[jlr5585]

I know exactly where you are coming from because I felt the same exact way when I applied to schools last year. The process and road to OT school is stressful and you can and probably will get anxiety that you will mess up. Most likely though, if you are that type of person, as I was, you are so worried that you make sure everything is correct. Stay calm, stay organized, and realize that this is part of the process. An annoying process. I applied to 5 schools last year and actually just started an OT program in NY. I don't think that 10 schools is too many. In fact, it just raises your chances of being accepted into multiple programs so that you have choice to decide where you want to go. Just be aware that it will cost quite a bit of money between OTCAS fees, transcripts, any extra mailing you need to do, etc. Your stats are very respectable and I don't see why you wouldn't have a chance with everyone else applying. My only question to you is that you have 80 volunteer hours. Are they in 1 setting? Or more than 1 setting? If anything, I'd show admissions that you have a deep understanding and perspective on the different OT settings that exist. This will benefit you when you start writing the personal statement, as you might want to incorporate different volunteer experiences. As for statistics, that is up to you if you wish to retake it. If it were me, I might. You are competing with people who may come in with at least a B in that course. Lastly, I just want to say I know this process is stressful because I'VE BEEN THERE. I've stressed, I've cried, I've turned my computer off and stepped away from it! LOL. When you get stressed, always remember why you are doing this in the first place and that you are just as valuable of a candidate as the other people who are applying. And be organized. Very, very organized. Anything else, just ask! 🙂 Good luck.

 

[Whistle Pig]

Some solid, wise counsel here. Let me add one thought. OT types are by "chicken and egg" desirous and inclined toward helping. Dare I suggest, most can't "help" themselves in trying to help others, including you. That's a good and comforting thing. It lends hope along with help. Sometimes even when well-intended help might be either impossible, improbable, or at least questionable.

So, I'm not suggesting anything contrary to what's been offered beyond the reality of your question, which would not have been asked if you didn't think it was merited. You're correct in your asking. You know why you asked the question, and you know at least the general nature of some of your respondents. So be cautious in what you receive here. You're profile is good, not great. OT programs, thanks to loads of 3 or 4 year hype and a common application process are sky-rocketing in terms of applicants. There seems to be an extraordinary variance in student qualitative measurements among programs. Some extremely competitive with heavy emphases in specific things, some looking at testing as the magic bullet, others not caring.

Confounding this are fiscal realities for both institutions and candidates. There seems to be very little genuine FA available as these are small, high demand, lock-step, demanding academic programs with need for costly facilities and low student-fac ratios. And these faculty, unlike French or history professors, will not come on the cheap. These all factor into a scenario that is not much consumer-friendly. It's an expensive, market-driven proposition.

The point is simple though. Do not be lulled into well-intended deception. Do your best, run hard through the finish line. Prepare for GREs ... they will likely count more, not less going forward. Apply to your schools and some others.

 

[Califaith21]

How did you do on your gre?