Do pre reqs really make a difference?

[Califaith21]

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I am in the process of getting my LORs, I've stalked the heck out of all of the schools that I am interested in, and I'm gearing up to take the GRE again.

I have the bulk of my pre reqs done, but due to the ever shrinking funding to community colleges I won't be able to start anatomy and physiology until the fall semester.

My question is how large a role do these pre reqs really play in admissions. I mean I know they need to be completed, but if they're in progress does that count against you? Just wondering if anybody who's already gone through the process would know.

 

[STHERE]

It doesn't count against you, but you need to be in the process or have some kind of tentative date. These programs are getting more and more competitive by the year. It is always a good idea to have as many as possible done. Programs can receive between 150 to 300 applications for 22 to 50 seats so, you can see how competitive it can get.

A&P is a major prereq, and is the most challenging.

If you can wow them with the GRE or MAT then they may give you more consideration.

I think it's important to remember that it depends on the school, how many application they receive, the area, weekend program or traditional, private or public, university or college. There are many factors! I know someone who got into a school with not all prereqs complete. The school happens to be in a bad area, this could be a factor (less people applying) The more expensive programs seem to get less applications as well.

 

[superCOTA]

I would think chem/bio would be at least AS hard as A&P, no?

not much math in A&P ...

To answer the Q .. if your chem and bio were A's .. you might inspire confidence but really, you need to get them done.

teachers dont recommend it .. but get some colored pencils and the 'anatomy coloring book' and study with that... works wonders coloring in the names and matching parts w/ the same color .. good luck

 

[Cierra]

Many schools do not require chem or bio. So it is possible that the original poster did not take those courses.

Apply this year. If you do not make it, apply next year.

I agree that passing Anatomy and Physiology are really important in their decisions. You might not get chosen this year if you have neither at least in progress.

I am also in California. It is really hard to get into these classes where I'm at as well. I think they might have had a waiting list even before current students got a chance to sign up. There was probably very little hope for new students this year for these classes.

 

[STHERE]

SuperCOTA,

Chem is challenging also, but very few programs require Chem. A&P is the "bread and butter" of the prereqs. IMO, Bio is a cake walk compared to A&P, there is so much to memorize for A&P. It seemed like the A&P lab was an additional class rather than something to compliment it.

 

[Califaith21]

I took Bio like 3 or 4 years ago when I was unfocused freshmen at community college. Most of my programs don't require it so I'm not really concerned with retaking it, and it may not even be an option, because a lot of community colleges aren't allowing students to retake classes that are impacted if they received a C or higher.

A&P will be in progress this fall so I theoretically could wait until December to apply to OT programs, but that feels like I'm pushing my luck by waiting so late in the game.

While I'm prepared to take the GREs again (July 19th) I don't think I'm gonna WOW any schools with my scores. I'm hoping for 1000 Quant/Verbal and a 5 on AWA.

 

[STHERE]

Cali,

I never heard of a cc not allowing you to retake a class with a C or higher. If you are willing to pay they will take your money, at least the impression I got 😎


Don't over think things, apply when you are ready. The sooner the better because it seems a lot of the programs (at least the ones I've looked at) have rolling admissions. Some are already taking applications starting next month. Good luck on the GRE! I will be taking the MAT soon also!

 

[Califaith21]

I'm working on the not freaking/stressing out thing. We'll see how that goes. Good luck Sthere!

 

[FutureOT2013]

Cali,

I never heard of a cc not allowing you to retake a class with a C or higher. If you are willing to pay they will take your money, at least the impression I got 😎


Don't over think things, apply when you are ready. The sooner the better because it seems a lot of the programs (at least the ones I've looked at) have rolling admissions. Some are already taking applications starting next month. Good luck on the GRE! I will be taking the MAT soon also!

My local community colleges have that condition (Northern California), but you can retake it after so many years have passed by or have a good explanation. Some friends of mine retook Ochem 10 years after at the same school, they just had to get their advisor to sign off on it (which they will do). Now passing with a C and then trying to take it less than a year letter to get a better grade, I can see why a school would disallow that.

 

[lizzo76]

This was my thinking on the matter -

I had taken all the prereqs while in college, except for A&P and an Adult Development psych course. I had also taken chem, bio, and calc through multivariate calculus (so, AP Calc in high school and then a couple of advanced semesters in college.) Had I done very well on those science and math classes, I would have applied last fall (2010) and then taken my prereqs (which are now done) this past year, and (fingers-crossed) started an OT masters program THIS fall (2011.)

But, despite doing 4 years each of every major subject in high school, at honors or AP level, and getting into an extremely selective college, I then totally screwed around my freshman year and didn't do well in those college science and math classes. So, I felt like I really needed A&P DONE with good grades before I could apply at all - basically, I really needed to show that I can do well in science courses. So, this past year, I took A&P I/II w/lab, and Adult Development, at the Harvard Extension School, got A's in each course, and feel much more confident about my application chances.

Some have said that in certain regions, even though the schools will say that you can apply with your prereqs in progress, you'll really be at a huge disadvantage. Who knows how true that is in every case. But you should look at YOUR case and see if you think that your application would be stronger with good grades in A&P. For someone who was, say, a chem major or a bio major or a physics major with a good GPA, A's in A&P might not do much more to make the case that the person is good at science. But if you don't have much in the way of science classes in your background, or you didn't do well in those classes, then you probably want your prereqs DONE before you apply. Or, I suppose you could apply and see what happens, but I don't know whether having to apply a second time if you don't get in the first time would reflect badly on you. Waiting a year can be frustrating - I have one other masters and am changing careers and quit my job a year ago to take my prereqs, making this a LONG process - but it could be worth it.

My two cents....

Oh, also OP - don't you need two semesters of A&P so that even by December you wouldn't have all of your grades for the schools to consider? Also - just double-check (if you haven't already done so) with the schools to which you're applying since not all schools allow prereqs to be in progress while you're applying. Most I've seen do, but some don't.