General Admissions & OTCAS Cornoavirus Changes, Any Advice?

[Life&Lemons]

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Hello everyone!

I hope everyone is staying safe during this time of crisis. I was wondering how other prospective OT students are handling changes that come with the impact the virus has made, and if they could provide me some advice.

The GRE: Has anyone taken the GRE at home? How was that experience?

Shadowing: I had planned to complete the shadowing hour requirement over spring break and then continue collecting hours during the remaining duration of the semester. Unfortunately, all 3 locations contacted me right before my shadowing began to inform me that they were all closing (which I understand, safety first). Does anyone know of other ways to obtain these hours through social distancing? I am quite stressed because I am going to need to work two jobs this summer to make up for the lack of income I am experiencing from being laid off. I do have some hours, but not nearly enough.

Courses: Some courses are just not meant to be taken online, because of that my school is offering an option to protect students’ GPA. You still earn credits if you pass (70% or above), but no letter grade would be applied. I have not taken this option for my prerequisites, but I was wondering if OT schools would frown upon seeing most of my courses having no letter grade. I am taking 8 classes this semester, so it has been difficult having it all moved online. I haven't made any decisions yet, but my GPA is very important to me!

If this helps, the schools I plan on applying to this summer/fall are Lenoir Rhyne University, MUSC, and Wingate University.

Thank you in advance to anyone who provides insight!

 

[OThopefully183]

GRE: Hmmm the GRE I have not taken it at home before, but I figure it would be like taking an online exam. From what I saw (I could be wrong), it is with ProctorU. So they basically have your webcam on and lock your computer screen and if your eyes deviate from the screen, they count that as cheating. And every now and then they ask you to scan the room by using your

Shadowing: That is going to be tough. With shadowing, you really need to be hands on in order to obtain hours and truly see how it is to be an OT. This is also your chance to build a relationship with the therapist (who will write your letter of rec). Perhaps email the schools and talk to them about your situation? I know for many schools they are more than happy to guide and work with prospective students.

Courses: I know for most schools I applied, they require a letter grade. I think for the most part as long as you have a good grade in the Prereq classes, you should be fine. The GPA is important, but I think most schools are more concerned about how well rounded a candidate is. Just make sure you research that school and see what they are more concerned about when looking at a prospective candidate.

Good luck and I hope it all goes well during the application process. 🙂

 

[Life&Lemons]

GRE: Hmmm the GRE I have not taken it at home before, but I figure it would be like taking an online exam. From what I saw (I could be wrong), it is with ProctorU. So they basically have your webcam on and lock your computer screen and if your eyes deviate from the screen, they count that as cheating. And every now and then they ask you to scan the room by using your

Shadowing: That is going to be tough. With shadowing, you really need to be hands on in order to obtain hours and truly see how it is to be an OT. This is also your chance to build a relationship with the therapist (who will write your letter of rec). Perhaps email the schools and talk to them about your situation? I know for many schools they are more than happy to guide and work with prospective students.

Courses: I know for most schools I applied, they require a letter grade. I think for the most part as long as you have a good grade in the Prereq classes, you should be fine. The GPA is important, but I think most schools are more concerned about how well rounded a candidate is. Just make sure you research that school and see what they are more concerned about when looking at a prospective candidate.

Good luck and I hope it all goes well during the application process. 🙂

Thank you for your input! As far as the GRE goes I guess I should be more specific. Will they be scoring it at a higher standard since its online? Will schools know you took it at home online, instead of in person? How do calculators work?

 

[OThopefully183]

Thank you for your input! As far as the GRE goes I guess I should be more specific. Will they be scoring it at a higher standard since its online? Will schools know you took it at home online, instead of in person? How do calculators work?

No problem. As for the GRE, I don't think schools will look down upon you as this was unprecedented. I'm pretty sure ETS tries to make it as uniform as possible and it should not be distinguishable whether you took it at a center or at home. Then again I never seen this happen before. As I took it at a testing center, I can only say that for me I was able to use the calculator on the computer and scratch paper was provided to me. Though they say most math problems don't need calculator and if you do need it you aren't doing it right? I don't know... math was never my strong suit.

 

[qwertyOT]

I know Univ St Augustine is being lenient.

Coronavirus Travel Information | USAHS

Check out our blog post Coronavirus Travel Information from the University of St. Augustine. Read more now!

www.usa.edu

"With clinics limiting access to essential employees only, I have not been able to complete the observation hours required for my program. What can I do?
Please submit your application even without the full amount of observation hours. Our program directors have agreed to make the following concessions for applicants to the summer and fall trimesters:

• DPT – a minimum of 40 observation hours
• OT – a minimum of 20 observation hours
• Applicants with less than the above-mentioned observation hours will be reviewed individually. Please contact your enrollment advisor or [email protected] for more information."

Also, I think there may be an option to take the GRE online at home?

The Americas: Coronavirus GRE Test Updates

Coronavirus GRE test updates in the Americas. Find the latest information about GRE test postponements and rescheduling in your country.

www.ets.org

"At Home Testing Available Worldwide for the GRE® General Test
ETS has expanded the availability of at home testing for the GRE® General Test to everywhere the computer-delivered GRE General Test is normally available, with the exception of Mainland China and Iran. In Mainland China, ETS is working closely with NEEA to accommodate test takers impacted by test cancellations, including adding test dates once regular testing resumes. ETS is working to offer at home testing to Iran as soon as possible.

At home testing for the GRE General Test is for students who have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19). Monitoring of the test will be conducted using live remote proctors and artificial intelligence technology by ProctorU®, the leading proctoring solution for online testing.

The test is identical in content, format, on-screen experience and scoring to the GRE General Test taken at a test center. It is monitored online by a trained human proctor from start to finish to maintain test security."

 

[Life&Lemons]

I know Univ St Augustine is being lenient.

Coronavirus Travel Information | USAHS

Check out our blog post Coronavirus Travel Information from the University of St. Augustine. Read more now!

www.usa.edu

"With clinics limiting access to essential employees only, I have not been able to complete the observation hours required for my program. What can I do?
Please submit your application even without the full amount of observation hours. Our program directors have agreed to make the following concessions for applicants to the summer and fall trimesters:

• DPT – a minimum of 40 observation hours
• OT – a minimum of 20 observation hours
• Applicants with less than the above-mentioned observation hours will be reviewed individually. Please contact your enrollment advisor or [email protected] for more information."

Also, I think there may be an option to take the GRE online at home?

The Americas: Coronavirus GRE Test Updates

Coronavirus GRE test updates in the Americas. Find the latest information about GRE test postponements and rescheduling in your country.

www.ets.org

"At Home Testing Available Worldwide for the GRE® General Test
ETS has expanded the availability of at home testing for the GRE® General Test to everywhere the computer-delivered GRE General Test is normally available, with the exception of Mainland China and Iran. In Mainland China, ETS is working closely with NEEA to accommodate test takers impacted by test cancellations, including adding test dates once regular testing resumes. ETS is working to offer at home testing to Iran as soon as possible.

At home testing for the GRE General Test is for students who have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19). Monitoring of the test will be conducted using live remote proctors and artificial intelligence technology by ProctorU®, the leading proctoring solution for online testing.

The test is identical in content, format, on-screen experience and scoring to the GRE General Test taken at a test center. It is monitored online by a trained human proctor from start to finish to maintain test security."

I wonder how many other schools will follow in their footsteps. I will keep an eye on the ones I want to apply too. So far, it seems that none of them have made an announcement.