Decisions based on GPA rather than experience

[EphemeralFaith]

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Hello!

I will be starting my senior year of undergraduate studies for my Biology B.S. in August and won't graduate until May of 2014, so I have to wait and apply for the 2015 cycle. My studies are going really well - I have an overall and prereq 4.0 GPA with only one more prereq remaining. However, I have not started shadowing AT ALL. I have about a year to get experience, but coupled to being a full time student taking more upper level science courses, I won't be able to volunteer often. I see so many posters with over 2 years experience, and I wanted to kick myself for not looking for experience sooner.

So, does anyone know of schools that put more precedence on GPA than experience? Also, will the fact that most of my prereqs are above 3000/4000 level courses instead of 1000/2000 community college courses affect decisions at all? I doubt it, but I've had people tell me to take all prereqs at my university instead of at a cc where the difficulty can be easier to handle.

Sorry for the long post, but any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

 

[jewel11786]

I took anatomy and the psych courses at the upper level and I think at least for A&P it was helpful because it was more challenging than the courses other people I know that took it at the community college level, but in terms of acceptance I don't think it will matter to OT schools. They really just care that it meets their pre-req requirements in terms of what the course covers and the fact that you did well in it. As for volunteering, schools look more at GPA than how many volunteer hours you have. You will definitely have to meet the minimum number of volunteer/observation hours that the schools require, but you don't have to go crazy with it. Volunteer in 2-3 different settings (rehab, outpatient, hospital, pediatrics, nursing home, etc.) and with different age populations and you should be good to go.

 

[mlc54]

Many schools only require observation hours for admission and not actual work experience in the field (but don't get me wrong, having job experience can definitely help you!) If you go to a program's website, it should tell you what they require. Out of the 9 different schools I applied to, the highest number of observation hours that were required was 60 (2 schools required 60, others less...1 school didn't require any observation hours at all!). Some of the schools even told me that having more than the required number doesn't put your application "ahead" of anyone else; as long as you met the minimum number, you were all set! So definitely look into it once you narrow down schools you would like to apply to.

I agree with jewel11786-make sure you go to at least 2 different OT settings, but you don't have to go crazy getting a ton of observation hours (unless you want to 🙂 ). A year is plenty of time to get it all done. Have fun with your observations, ask a lot of questions, and try and see what type of setting you could see yourself in as an OT! 😀

Also, I don't think where you take your pre-reqs is as important as the number of credits of the class and the material the class covers (and of course, your final grade for the class). Some schools just don't offer certain classes, so I don't think that a school would "get away" with discriminating against students who had to find another place to take a class when their undergrad college/university simply didn't offer it. Assuming you have time in your undergrad class schedule, I say go for it and just get them done since it will save you the time later of trying to find a community college that offers the class you are looking for.

Hope that helps! Good luck! 🙂

 

[c2902]

Also, lot of us who took the courses at community colleges did so because we are either later-in-life career changers, or were in degree programs where those courses weren't offered. It's not a question of taking the easy way out, but the cheapest way. When you're a working adult, who is financially independent and has been out of school for several years, you don't see the point in paying $300+ per credit at the public 4-year school, when you can pay under $150 per credit at the community college. And in my area, our community college system is actually pretty good. I have another Masters and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the vast majority of my instructors. The admissions offices that I spoke with all said that there was no harm in going this route.

 

[EphemeralFaith]

Thank you all for the replies! They are really informative. And to clarify, I was well aware people take courses at community colleges not for the easy way out but because it's the pragmatic and reasonable way. I doubt ANYONE going into the health field is looking for an easy way out!

 

[BHSUStudent]

Hello!

I will be starting my senior year of undergraduate studies for my Biology B.S. in August and won't graduate until May of 2014, so I have to wait and apply for the 2015 cycle. My studies are going really well - I have an overall and prereq 4.0 GPA with only one more prereq remaining. However, I have not started shadowing AT ALL. I have about a year to get experience, but coupled to being a full time student taking more upper level science courses, I won't be able to volunteer often. I see so many posters with over 2 years experience, and I wanted to kick myself for not looking for experience sooner.

So, does anyone know of schools that put more precedence on GPA than experience? Also, will the fact that most of my prereqs are above 3000/4000 level courses instead of 1000/2000 community college courses affect decisions at all? I doubt it, but I've had people tell me to take all prereqs at my university instead of at a cc where the difficulty can be easier to handle.

Sorry for the long post, but any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

It depends upon each admissions committee. It's unlikely that a person is going to analyze each application that extensively. They have to sift through 300-500 applications for a limited amount of openings. They have deadlines.

Personally, if I was on an admissions committee, I would take a quick look at each transcript to see if people watered their education down. If I looked at your transcript and saw higher level courses and science based coursed, there wouldn't be a need to hold you into reservation. Personally I would favor someone who took rigorous courses and got a 3.5 GPA over someone who majored in underwater basket weaving and got a 4.0. But that is just me personally.

However, since OT is being saturated, and OT school is becoming more competitive as a result, expect people to eliminate applicants using arbitrary means. Not enough experience? They might put you on the wait-list for that. While it may not be that extreme now, I would expect things to eventually lead to that type of scenario. Right now a good GPA is going to put you at a better standing than anything else, and with a 4.0 you should be able to apply to any OT program in the nation (with the assumption that you meet all other admissions prerequisites).

If you can, try to actually get a job in an OT related field. There is the field of Direct Support, which I became apart of. Getting direct experience with the disabled is going to give you a whole unique and profound experience. You will understand how disability impacts lives point blank, for example. You will also get the chance to assist people with ADLs (and see if you are comfortable with that line of work). Repeatedly watching someone in an outpatient clinic perform ultrasound can be superficial. Either way, I suggest buying OT books so you can understand everything that you are observing, and to ask the OTs important questions because it will make better use of your observation/volunteer experience. Also work your butt off if you volunteer. You might impress the OT and end up getting a job offer as an aid by working hard and taking initiative to learn extensively about the OT profession. Build networks early on. Fieldwork in OT school will also allow you a chance at networking.

Overall, observing and volunteering will give you better insight into the profession. It will quantitatively demonstrate that you understand OT (more so if you observe in a multitude of settings). Admissions committees look at how knowledgeable you are of the field. It may also confirm your desire to go into the profession, or help you make a new decision. Going into OT shouldn't be taken lightly. This is a serious decision. The more you know about the profession, the more informed your decision will be.