General Admissions & OTCAS Do I have a chance?

[futureotstudent1999]

Hi everyone- I am super nervous about applying to OTD and Ot master programs because of my lower overall GPA and just wanted some feedback on my stats.

Overall GPA: 3.38
Last 60 GPA: 3.7
GRE: retaking September 19 because I got a 289-hoping for a 300 at least.

Observation hours:
10 in a pediatric setting ( couldn't get more with the peds OT due to COVID)
62 hours with a hand specialist OT

Work experience:
Receptionist at an Urgent Care Clinic for three years-over 6000 hours of work with patients


Extracurriculars:
Sorority member, Future OT of America club, Stem Academy Peer mentor for college freshman going into STEM majors, Bulls For Kids Dance Marathon Volunteer(personally raised over 2000 for Shriners Hospital), Undergraduate research in a music lab for one year, Tampa General Hospital Child Life and Volunteer for one year,

Letters of recommendation:
5 letters: One from biology professor, one from hand OT, one from chemistry TA, one from supervisor at work, and one from an NP I work with at my job.

Applying to:
Nova Southeastern (dream school), UF, Advent Health University, Saint Augustine University (Coral Gables Campus), and Gannon University

Any truthful advice or help is appreciated!

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[lalasing]

Hello! I just finished my first semester of OT school
I got accepted my first round (the last cycle), and my overall GPA was a 3.01 (upward trend), and my last 60 hours was around a 3.4. I took the GRE twice and my second score was a 312. I'd like to think that my GRE, personal statement, and LORs definitely helped balance my GPA out.

I didn't apply to any of the schools you're applying to, so I can't really help you out with the admissions process with those programs. But I will say that OT schools look at applicants holistically. You have great ECs, so just work on the GRE and your personal statement, and I think you'll be off to a great start for this cycle!

 

[futureotstudent1999]

Hello! I just finished my first semester of OT school
I got accepted my first round (the last cycle), and my overall GPA was a 3.01 (upward trend), and my last 60 hours was around a 3.4. I took the GRE twice and my second score was a 312. I'd like to think that my GRE, personal statement, and LORs definitely helped balance my GPA out.

I didn't apply to any of the schools you're applying to, so I can't really help you out with the admissions process with those programs. But I will say that OT schools look at applicants holistically. You have great ECs, so just work on the GRE and your personal statement, and I think you'll be off to a great start for this cycle!

Thank you so much! I appreciate your feedback

 

[OTDreamer98]

Hello! I just finished my first semester of OT school
I got accepted my first round (the last cycle), and my overall GPA was a 3.01 (upward trend), and my last 60 hours was around a 3.4. I took the GRE twice and my second score was a 312. I'd like to think that my GRE, personal statement, and LORs definitely helped balance my GPA out.

I didn't apply to any of the schools you're applying to, so I can't really help you out with the admissions process with those programs. But I will say that OT schools look at applicants holistically. You have great ECs, so just work on the GRE and your personal statement, and I think you'll be off to a great start for this cycle!

Hello what schools did you apply to?

 

[BHfutureOT]

Hello! I just finished my first semester of OT school
I got accepted my first round (the last cycle), and my overall GPA was a 3.01 (upward trend), and my last 60 hours was around a 3.4. I took the GRE twice and my second score was a 312. I'd like to think that my GRE, personal statement, and LORs definitely helped balance my GPA out.

I didn't apply to any of the schools you're applying to, so I can't really help you out with the admissions process with those programs. But I will say that OT schools look at applicants holistically. You have great ECs, so just work on the GRE and your personal statement, and I think you'll be off to a great start for this cycle!

Would you mind sharing where you applied? Do you have any advice for the GRE? I'm taking it for my second time on September 1st.

 

[OThopefully183]

Would you mind sharing where you applied? Do you have any advice for the GRE? I'm taking it for my second time on September 1st.

I would use Magoosh to study for GRE. Really like how they break it down step by step and it really helped me prepare for the writing session. They also have lessons and reviews on math, verbal, and writing.

Not to mention a chat feature that lets you ask questions on the spot and the tutor helps you and explains the problem.

It did boost my score.

 

[lalasing]

Hello what schools did you apply to?

applied to USC, UIC, TWU, D'Youville, Chatham University, FIU, Midwestern AZ, BU
interviewed at TWU and Chatham
accepted into TWU, Chatham, D'Youville

 

[lalasing]

Would you mind sharing where you applied? Do you have any advice for the GRE? I'm taking it for my second time on September 1st.

applied to USC, UIC, TWU, D'Youville, Chatham University, FIU, Midwestern AZ, BU
interviewed at TWU and Chatham
accepted into TWU, Chatham, D'Youville

the 2 things I did were study Magoosh for the verbal portion and practice from the ETS books
honestly magoosh didn't really help me with the vocabulary but everyone says it's a good study aid

 

[cupcaketheot]

I had a 3.4 GPA and got into 4/6 schools I applied to. I think your stats look good!

 

[futureotstudent1999]

I had a 3.4 GPA and got into 4/6 schools I applied to. I think your stats look good!

Thank you!

 

[reems112]

Hi Everyone! I was wondering if someone could give me insight to my stats as well please! I unfortunately don't have any hours due to covid. And there really aren't that many places willing to take in students. How should I get my hours in for this cycle?

 

[futureotstudent1999]

Hi Everyone! I was wondering if someone could give me insight to my stats as well please! I unfortunately don't have any hours due to covid. And there really aren't that many places willing to take in students. How should I get my hours in for this cycle?

What schools are you applying to? Many of them have made essays an option if you cannot do shadowing in person

 

[reems112]

What schools are you applying to? Many of them have made essays an option if you cannot do shadowing in person

Would you mind telling me which schools are doing that? I am looking for schools on the east coast. But I would love to know which ones are doing essays as an option. Also, I'm nervous because i know schools require a letter from an OT however if I don't have any hours and such how will I obtain a letter of rec from an OT? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[futureotstudent1999]

Would you mind telling me which schools are doing that? I am looking for schools on the east coast. But I would love to know which ones are doing essays as an option. Also, I'm nervous because i know schools require a letter from an OT however if I don't have any hours and such how will I obtain a letter of rec from an OT? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Nova Southeastern doctorate program in Clearwater Florida made that an option, and said if you can’t get a LOR from an OT to just get one from a professor instead. Texas Women’s University also waived this requirement as well as the GRE. I’m only applying to Florida schools so only really know info on them