Do I have the aptitude to make it through OT school?

[ANK25057]

Hello all,

I am seriously considering entering into the OT field. I am wondering if I truly have the aptitude to manage the graduate-level curriculum, finish and succeed.

Why OT? I love people. I love helping people. I like working with the disabled and the disadvantaged. I like the elderly. I like children. I like to do rewarding work. I find OT interesting. And I want a well-paying job with job security.

The problem? I am NOT a math person. I will soon be taking statistics from a community college as a MOT pre-req. I'm dreading it. I have actually failed several math courses previously. I have aced other courses involving reading, writing and "soft" skills."

I would describe my science aptitude as "average." Very average. I got a C in high school chemistry. I have never pulled an A in a science-related course. I avoid labs like the plague.

The pluses? I'm very much a people person. I'm confident I will do very well on both the in-person interview and writing sample for a MOT program. I love helping people. I'm prepared to get 100+ hours of OT shadowing and volunteer experience before applying. I'm also determined to get A's on all my pre-reqs.

About me -
I have a bachelor's degree in journalism from a prestigious school.
I have NO experience in the medical or OT fields.
I have three years of work experience in the marketing field.
I'm very right-brained (here's an example... I made a perfect score on the ACT's English portion in high school. I made a 22 on the math portion (out of 36).

GPA cumulative - 3.25
Last 60 hours - 3.62
No GRE (yet)
Not a minority and I'm a female (two strikes, it seems, in MOT admissions these days)
Most interested in TWU in Dallas

Am I in over my head? Should I gracefully stop now before applying? I'm seeing some people on here compare OT school to medical school. I am DEFINITELY, 100 PERCENT not medical school material.

Any htoughts?

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[Member0527]

Hi,

You sound much like me, and I've just started the application process for OT school for next year! I also had very high verbal scores and so-so math scores on standardized tests in high school as well as in the corresponding classes, though I have never failed a class (physics may be a first...I'm taking it as a prereq now, and I just can't seem to get it). Anyway, you have very strong motivation for wanting to become an OT and seem prepared to work hard to achieve that goal. You also mention that you have a "journalism degree from a prestigious school"; I am in the same boat there as well (except my degree is in English, and I have As and Bs in my prereqs). My point is, you might surprise yourself because a lot of the prereqs are based more on memorization than understanding to a certain degree, and if you put in the time and effort, you could do reasonably well. Then maybe (I hope?) a school will see you as adding some diversity to their class by the fact that you had some background in working a non-health related job and decided to come to OT fresh with lots of motivation, compounded by the fact that this subject is not the easiest in the world for you to grasp. That is something an admissions committee should respect and value.

As for statistics, I hated math in high school and was thrilled to go to a liberal arts college with a minimal distribution requirement of one math class, but stats was pretty easy. Now, if OT school requires a lot of physics, on the other hand...

Anyone out there with more experience as an OT student who can speak to the true nature of the coursework in OT school?

 

[ANK25057]

Member0527,

Thank you for responding!

Yes, I am hoping that admissions committees see me as adding "diversity" with a different degree and a business/marketing background. I know the majority of applicants will be coming in with science or health-related degrees so I hope I might add something different to an incoming class... ????

Speaking of physics... it terrifies me also! I was so disappointed to look at the pre-reqs for University of Oklahoma's Tulsa campus. Physics is a required pre-req for the MOT program there!! Physics will definitely do me in.

On the other hand, I've heard graduate school is a much more supportive environment than undergrad. Meaning, no one gets left in the dust or left to fail like in undergrad programs. Also, it seems there would be more incentive for keeping a MOT student in the program (if a student drops out or fails out that's a lost spot in that class = lost tuition dollars on that student for the remainder of their program.)

Any thoughts??

 

[resot]

Hello all,

I am seriously considering entering into the OT field. I am wondering if I truly have the aptitude to manage the graduate-level curriculum, finish and succeed.

Why OT? I love people. I love helping people. I like working with the disabled and the disadvantaged. I like the elderly. I like children. I like to do rewarding work. I find OT interesting. And I want a well-paying job with job security.

The problem? I am NOT a math person. I will soon be taking statistics from a community college as a MOT pre-req. I'm dreading it. I have actually failed several math courses previously. I have aced other courses involving reading, writing and "soft" skills."

I would describe my science aptitude as "average." Very average. I got a C in high school chemistry. I have never pulled an A in a science-related course. I avoid labs like the plague.

The pluses? I'm very much a people person. I'm confident I will do very well on both the in-person interview and writing sample for a MOT program. I love helping people. I'm prepared to get 100+ hours of OT shadowing and volunteer experience before applying. I'm also determined to get A's on all my pre-reqs.

About me -
I have a bachelor's degree in journalism from a prestigious school.
I have NO experience in the medical or OT fields.
I have three years of work experience in the marketing field.
I'm very right-brained (here's an example... I made a perfect score on the ACT's English portion in high school. I made a 22 on the math portion (out of 36).

GPA cumulative - 3.25
Last 60 hours - 3.62
No GRE (yet)
Not a minority and I'm a female (two strikes, it seems, in MOT admissions these days)
Most interested in TWU in Dallas

Am I in over my head? Should I gracefully stop now before applying? I'm seeing some people on here compare OT school to medical school. I am DEFINITELY, 100 PERCENT not medical school material.

Any htoughts?

You are jumping the gun. I don't want to sound harsh, but you need to do some shadowing before finalizing your decision to become an OT. You should also try taking your science prerequisites. Anatomy and physio are not a piece of cake even for science people. And the science classes in ot school are not going to be easy either.

We can not make this decision for you. The best way to see if you have the aptitude is to start your science prereqs and shadow OTs. Only you can decide whether or not you can finish ot school. But focus on the prereqs first. It takes at least a year or so to complete them anyway.

 

[OTROX]

I don't know, I think she can make it...OT is NOT as intense as PT or even PTA. Get those grades you said you'll get. Get those observation hours, read a few books and throw out some terminologies and get some nice letters of recommendations...During your interview TALK IT UP. Can you cry on command? Well, couple that with some sob-story ( work OT in there somehow) and I think you'll make it. Seriously.

 

[resot]

Not that I don't appreciate throwing out a sob story here and there, but the op's question was about their aptitude to make it through OT school with weakness in science classes, not about whether or not they can be admitted to schools.

I still believe that the op should shadow an ot to learn more about the field before making a commitment. Ot is not for everyone. There are plenty other fields out there for people who enjoy helping others.

In addition, even though the coursework may not compare to a pt school, there will be several science classes that they will have to master. Which is also why I still suggest trying out some of the prereqs to see whether or not they can overcome their weakness in science with determination.

 

[ANK25057]

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

On a side note, I've been shadowing an OT in an elementary school setting for several days now. She works with 30-40 students on an ongoing basis with various disabilities.

99 percent of the work she's doing with students is very simple. It's not brain surgery. Most of the day she is practicing writing simple sentences, teaching how to hold a pencil/ tie shoelaces/call someone on the phone, learning how to jump rope, etc.

The rest of the day she is doing paperwork (again, nothing too complicated.., actually, something anyone with basic administrative skills could do.. tracking students' progress and behavior notes) and traveling to different campuses. I respect that she has a MOT, but I have no doubt that I could master what she does quite quickly. I even sat in on a meeting she had with a campus team and not once was an out-of-left field medical or science term thrown around. Yes, some mentions of dexterity, sensory integration and autism spectrum... all concepts I'm confident I can come to understand in graduate school.

I'm on day 4 and I have yet to see my OT use a **big, scary science word** I don't understand. This is very reassuring to me. Her day-to-day work is relatively stress-free, slow-paced and very manageable. She is intelligent but not a rocket scientist. She's just great with kids!

Granted, I know OT is a very broad field and some OT's have more intensive clients and more complicated work settings. Just my 2 cents for any potential OT's out there. You can do it. I believe it!

 

[OTROX]

Solid advice. Plus, many of those pre-reqs are the same for other medical programs. I actually think it's best to take those pre-reqs later because the material will still be fresh in your mind AND a lot of programs put, in my opinion, silly time frames of acceptance on science courses. So even if you take a couple of years off and a couple more to apply you're still in good shape.

 

[OTROX]

Yeah, see talking like that about OT will get you into hot water. Many professors and students scuff at those remarks but a lot of professionals will agree: there is a lot of fluff in OT. Programs could and should probably be 2.5 semesters and fieldwork, not 2.5 years but then where is the profit?

OT has been reeling with their fluff for decades and in the mid 80s start pushing (or was it Medicare, insurance companies) for evidence-based practice. Which is good and valid but the things OT does is a challenge for the profession to put into that kind of practice. Look at poor music-therapy or recreational therapy. Insurance always raises an eye-brow with those therapeutic services ( but they are effective and I think Gabriell Giffords rehab included this and is spoken fondly of...so that is nice for those guys). So, it is good you are seeing and thinking about the profession. Once you get comfortable in your shadowing ask real questions...things you would ask if you were the new kid in school. I bet you'll learn a lot of things about what to expect in school and beyond.

 

[resot]

Otrox, would you say that there is an equal amount of fluff within the diffferent areas ofpractice for ot? For example: working within pediatrics vs in acute care in a hospital and other settings?

 

[Liztor]

I don't know, I think she can make it...OT is NOT as intense as PT or even PTA. Get those grades you said you'll get. Get those observation hours, read a few books and throw out some terminologies and get some nice letters of recommendations...During your interview TALK IT UP. Can you cry on command? Well, couple that with some sob-story ( work OT in there somehow) and I think you'll make it. Seriously.

Where schools are you applying to?

 

[OTROX]

I don't know...seems like that water is kinda warm. I just skimmed it and it burns! If I go into it, it'll turn into a nasty mud-fling fight...they're all around the internet if you want to see the wounds. Now, understand just because something is perceived as fluff doesn't mean it worthless. I mentioned music therapy for example. Very few rehab settings utilize this. Why? Ask your rehab managers... However, that doesn't mean that no one uses this form of therapy ( often in conjunction with OT..because it's beneficial but also for billing) . It is often very useful in certain patients with TBI and CVA.

Someone might walk into that rehab session and think, "wow, fluff." Insurances think this. That is why music therapy has never gotten it's deserving recognition.

I don't think peds or acute deal with as much just do to the nature of the setting. More so for acute because of the circumstances. But peds does have a lot of silly test you learn and maybe about a third, if that, you'll see. I'm sure the school-base therapist has many 5 test on hand. SNF probably have the biggest complaint of fluff. Across the board it comes down to billing. In the eyes of insurances, PT is twice as beneficial than OT ( bill is 2:1 for any patient in any setting). OT has done a great job as a profession to stay somewhat relavent but they have also lost ground to "tricks of the trade" to other disciplines. Of those, which was not the "fluff". Consider specializing in hand therapy; it WAS exclusively OTs for years now shared with PT...as were certain functions that SLP now do exclusively. Gee, nobody wanted the fluff?!?

 

[ANK25057]

I'm planning to apply to TWU in Dallas and Houston, OU-Tulsa and Texas Tech. Not super prestigious programs but increasingly competitive (too competitive for the field of OT if you ask me.) if I don't get in, I will be re-applying next year. I'm not willing to pay private school tuition.

Entrance to these programs has become outrageous.

 

[OTforMe]

I don't think it's fair for you to say you could quickly pick up OT. Without school, you lack the theoretical base for what you're doing. With insurance companies leaning towards evidence based practice, how would you be able to interpret and implement research in your interventions? In other settings, how would you know how to correctly make a splint or stretch a certain muscle? How would you write goals that are acceptable by insurance companies? It's a lot more complicated than you think.

Not a lot of OTs work in school districts. Keep this in mind.

 

[OTROX]

What's not fair? Education for OT isn't that far removed from a bachelor degree...Physical Therapy has leap frog OT's requirement with doctorate degree requirement. Recent OT conferences have had debates on education relevancy taught in programs today. Is the history of basket weaving applicable for today's OTs?


Goal writing varies in different settings but once a therapist writes them, they don't change all that much. Some therapist write in general, others more specific. Terminology is often critiqued by a rehab manger and/or auditor of the department. They advise therapist that certain words aren't applicable, out of favor or may just be scrutinize by insurance and sent back which delays reimbursement.

Of course, there is required continued education and you learn as you go but I don't think most people think OT is complicated. Now, you mentioned research...you won't "implement research" while treating a patient but as research goes, yes, it can be complicated...if for nothing more than being able to convince someone to fund it; grant writing. That requires evidence-based results for sure and a persuasive grant writer. Everything else can be and is often learned on the job.

 

[Liztor]

OTROX,

Are you an OT or an aspiring OT student?

 

[ANK25057]

I don't think OT can be "quickly picked up." I appreciate the theory and medical knowledge necessary to be a practicing OT. Neverthless, I was started by the simplicity of the work being performed by the school OT I've been shadowing. Very interesting and beneficial services for students, absolutely... but nonetheless, not brain surgery!!!!!

On a side note...OT school is not medical school. Entrance to these programs have become outrageous. 3.8 GPA's for no-name state schools?

 

[raquel]

I have to agree with OTROX and some others here. I don't get why the programs are so long and requirements so intensive. When I shadowed their jobs seemed beneficial, but like someone mentioned, not rocket science. Yet, in OT programs, they have you do things that med student might do. OT does have a lot of fluff to it, I feel most will come out of programs over educated for what they will be doing in practice. That's why I think ultimately being good with people might trump having a high science aptitude.

OP, feel free to PM if you'd like.

 

[Liztor]

I have to agree with OTROX and some others here. I don't get why the programs are so long and requirements so intensive. When I shadowed their jobs seemed beneficial, but like someone mentioned, not rocket science. Yet, in OT programs, they have you do things that med student might do. OT does have a lot of fluff to it, I feel most will come out of programs over educated for what they will be doing in practice. That's why I think ultimately being good with people might trump having a high science aptitude.

OP, feel free to PM if you'd like.

Are you applying to OT school? If so, which schools?

 

[ANK25057]

I totally agree. Admission to OT school has become outrageous. I've almost given up when I see the stats of the admissions threads on this board. It's only going to get worse. So many people are trying to get into the field - people from nursing backgrounds (they hated nursing), med school rejects, people from completely unrelated fields all vying for these few spots in MOT programs. Doesn't help that occupational therapy is constantly mentioned as a "hot job" with good career prospects all over the Internet.

People with 3.7++ GPA's, hundreds of hours of shadowing experience, getting rejected from unrecognizable programs.

 

[Taylor619]

ANK25057, what is your gpa for your last 90?

 

[ANK25057]

Taylor, my GPA on last 60 is 3.62. Nothing to be ashamed of ... but looking at recent admissions stats, apparently this is not good enough to even merit an interview at most in-state public Texas programs.

Thoughts?

 

[Taylor619]

Taylor, my GPA on last 60 is 3.62. Nothing to be ashamed of ... but looking at recent admissions stats, apparently this is not good enough to even merit an interview at most in-state public Texas programs.

Thoughts?

A 3.62 is great! Please do not base your presumptions completely off of TWU, there are many other schools in TX (not near enough, but we have around 8, if I remember correctly). You are right in there with the average GPA for admitted students at Tx Tech (3.65 overall, 3.53 science--but this is on the last 90, not 60). UT Pan American is 3.60 (but I don't know if this is overall, or last of a certain amount of hours). I saw you applied to OU Tulsa as well? They have a 3.54 avg. cumulative gpa and 3.30 avg. science gpa listed. The best advice I can offer, is to call every school that you could see yourself attending and ask for an average gpa profile. From there, you can determine your best choices for admission. Are you only considering TX and OK?

 

[otsomeday]

So are these private schools charging 30k+/year for tuition really worth it for 2.5 years?

 

[OTROX]

This is a rhetorical question, right? Ha! Yeah, I wouldn't think it would be worth it--literally.

However for some they will say, "it depends..."

Are you paying for it? It is true that applying to private programs do present better odds of getting accept. That could be appealing, especially if you feel discouraged by flooding piles of competitive applications each year at the state level.

If you go to a private program you could get in but it seems like a Pyrrhic victory to me.

 

[TTUOT]

ANK -
We have a little in common. I too have my bachelors in Journalism, and worked for a few years in my field. I decided I wanted to go back to school for OT, and really made sure to focus on school. I think my GPA for my bachelors was like a 3.2 (3.5 in my major), but I made a 3.7 on my pre-reqs and have over 500 hours of both work and volunteer experience. I am not the greatest at math but Stats/Physics aren't that bad, I got A's in both with a lot of studying for physics. If you're not dedicated enough to work hard in those undergrad classes than a graduate program probably isn't a good idea. But I am sure you are!

Don't set your sights on TWU, they focus only on GPA to decide on interview recipients. Keep volunteering in multiple settings. See if you can find a place with Speech, PT and OT so you can observe multiple disciplines and decide on your preference. Good luck and if you have any questions for me, just message me.

 

[MiniMe1]

ANK,

I don't think the academic challenge is the first thing to worry about. You can achieve anything if you really want to. It's as simple as that.

Maybe it will be good for you to read my first post on this forum in this thread:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=705891

Something else about schools in general to give you a perspective that might help your motivation - so far I find US schools to be way, way easier than studying in some other countries. I got 2 Master's degrees from another country. Not bragging about it at all - this is not my point. Here's how college works there:

You go through a semester or two of Class XYZ. There are no quizzes or tests all along, no points that accumulate, no papers to write to affect your final score, no class participation brownie points. Then you have a single shot - a comprehensive final exam. This is the only thing that determines your final grade.

Imagine a huge comprehensive exam in Inorganic Chemistry, or Organic Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology... Physics... PhysicoChemistry... Ecology... and yes - Higher level Math! Imagine that going on for 5 years.

Thousands of young people in that country graduate from college every year. Some of the brightest scientific minds we have today come from a school system like that. You just about die doing it but you can do it. If you reallyt want it.

I hope this gives you a perspective of what a person can achieve IF they have a goal. I think you need to figure out your goal first. Then it is all a question of time and effort, but you will get there.

Also, something else - in line with what Taylor619 said - here on this forum there is an old post from a doctor. The guy graduated as an OT first. He advises everybody to forget about dividing OT schools into "good" and 'bad" because all it matter is the certificate you will get in the end. Noone will ask you if you got it from an obscure OT program conducted in facilities with peeling paint on the walls. All that matters to get a job is do you have that certificate.

And a final point - a little negative - from what I saw OTs hands are pretty tightly bound by insurance companies and the need to fill out paperwork on a daily basis. It is not all helping people every minute of the work day. In most places I volunteered the actual OT work was not more than 30% of the work day.
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[OT2Be2013]

I don't think it's fair for you to say you could quickly pick up OT. Without school, you lack the theoretical base for what you're doing. With insurance companies leaning towards evidence based practice, how would you be able to interpret and implement research in your interventions? In other settings, how would you know how to correctly make a splint or stretch a certain muscle? How would you write goals that are acceptable by insurance companies? It's a lot more complicated than you think.

Not a lot of OTs work in school districts. Keep this in mind.

Just want to say I completely agree with the message here. Nothing is ever as simple as it looks on the surface. Effective practice requires the integration of theory, research and clinical reasoning, all the while keeping everything client-centered. I didn't take any classes on the history of basket-weaving, but I did learn to critique assessments and back up interventions with research.

Being right-brained is advantageous. Sometimes, you have to be very creative in this profession. The science classes do come into play in terms of understanding the musculoskeletal, neurological and sensory deficits our clients present with and the mechanisms behind some of the modalities used to treat them, but if you open your mind to understanding the material and just set out to work hard at it, I think you'll be alright.

On another note- I think the competition to get into school is more a reflection of the economy right now than anything else.

 

[veggieswirl]

Definitely true, the economy has made OT a really hot field, most people that get in have the aptitude to get through in my opinion because there are more applicants than seats, all of the COTA programs in California have a huge wait list, or are VERY expensive, and that is just COTA programs, the Master's programs are EXTREMELY competitive.