General Admissions & OTCAS Entry level DOT programs...

[PAW4810]

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Just wondering what programs are out there, and why people are applying.

I am applying this year, and know two programs for the DOT I want to apply for, but want to hear about others so I ensure I'm applying to the correct schools. Thanks!

 

[HopefulOT17]

This past cycle I applied to Belmont University in TN and Murphy Deming in VA, both entry level OTD. Unfortunately, I didnt get in. I had low GRE scores and prereqs that I was doing in the spring. I did get ibterviews at both though and I loved both places. I'm going to add in Huntington University in IN next year.

 

[PAW4810]

Cool thanks! Good luck getting in this cycle

 

[HopefulOT17]

Thanks! You too 🙂

 

[idontdance]

The OTD is a waste of money. You won't make a penny more for that degree. If you want to be a faculty member you should go after a PhD or masters in public health etc. If you work in a hospital you will likely have funding to go get your OTD if you want it. Why on earth you would pay more for a degree which won't earn you a penny more, is beyond me.

I attend MGH IHP's OTD program and they gave me a good scholarship that made tuition cheaper than any MOT programs i applied to (factoring in cost of living as well).

So, if you want to go to the cheapest program, you can apply to inexpensive MOT programs, but don't rule out newer OTD programs. They are more eager to attract students (and in general less people apply), so the chances of getting a good scholarship are much higher.

As far as why I applied, yes scholarship opportunities was a big one, also MGH hospital is top in the country and the partners network is excellent as well, so we have great FW connections. I also would like to teach one day and I think an OTD will be beneficial. Also, yes the program is longer, but the curriculum is very thorough and we cover more populations in more detail than a typical MOT program. The faculty and students impressed me on interview day and that sealed the deal.

Another pro since starting, the workload is very manageable which makes a p/t side job totally possible and further reduces cost of school.

 

[aliq]

I attend MGH IHP's OTD program and they gave me a good scholarship that made tuition cheaper than any MOT programs i applied to (factoring in cost of living as well).

So, if you want to go to the cheapest program, you can apply to inexpensive MOT programs, but don't rule out newer OTD programs. They are more eager to attract students (and in general less people apply), so the chances of getting a good scholarship are much higher.

As far as why I applied, yes scholarship opportunities was a big one, also MGH hospital is top in the country and the partners network is excellent as well, so we have great FW connections. I also would like to teach one day and I think an OTD will be beneficial. Also, yes the program is longer, but the curriculum is very thorough and we cover more populations in more detail than a typical MOT program. The faculty and students impressed me on interview day and that sealed the deal.

Another pro since starting, the workload is very manageable which makes a p/t side job totally possible and further reduces cost of school.

How are you liking the program there? I'm applying this year and it was interesting talking to Susan during the OT Fair.

 

[BLS614]

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[idontdance]

@aliq I love the program! I actually interviewed with Sue and it was part of what sold me. All the faculty are impressive with diverse interests yet approachable. I take my first class with Sue this semester. Over the summer we took foundations of OT and anatomy (with cadaver lab at Harvard), and I thought the courses were challenging but doable. I feel like I've already learned so much and am exited to continue.

Everyone in my class is great. Overall on the younger side, but everyone has such different backgrounds that it doesn't feel so homogeneous. They also put us in teams to mimic the collaborative clinical environment and we have both individual and group assignments.

If you want to know more please PM me 🙂

 

[PAW4810]

The OTD is a waste of money. You won't make a penny more for that degree. If you want to be a faculty member you should go after a PhD or masters in public health etc. If you work in a hospital you will likely have funding to go get your OTD if you want it. Why on earth you would pay more for a degree which won't earn you a penny more, is beyond me.

It's not always about the money- I was a teacher for eight years...sometimes you just know what field you're supposed to go into. Plus, its more about where I have heard the field moving to in the future- every OT and pt I have talked to says they see the field moving in that direction. I also already have a masters degree, so for me I know that the OTD is the way I want to go. Getting a PhD after getting a masters in OT would be more time then just going OTD from the get go too.

 

[engmedpt]

It's not always about the money- I was a teacher for eight years...sometimes you just know what field you're supposed to go into. Plus, its more about where I have heard the field moving to in the future- every OT and pt I have talked to says they see the field moving in that direction. I also already have a masters degree, so for me I know that the OTD is the way I want to go. Getting a PhD after getting a masters in OT would be more time then just going OTD from the get go too.

You need to be really really careful and make sure you only apply to schools that you can pay back the projected debtload. It doesn't matter if you were a teacher before or have a master's degree. This is what people who are career changers fail to grasp when returning to school. Education costs have been increasing the entire time you've been working. Look at the total debt and make sure you can keep your same lifestyle. Not saying don't do it....just saying you will be paying the fed a very large percentage of your paycheck for a while. I recommend public universities tied to state funding that also have research output....but to each his or her own.

A rehabilitation science PhD does not require a clinical doctorate. You can go directly into research if accepted. That pathway leads to teaching at the university level and conducting independent research for a large portion of your working hours.

The OTD would be a clinical doctoral degree. Im not sure on the specifics for the additional coursework or clinical rotations/hours. Also be aware that if payments increase in the future, it will be due to outside market factors not just your extra education.

 

[PAW4810]

You need to be really really careful and make sure you only apply to schools that you can pay back the projected debtload. It doesn't matter if you were a teacher before or have a master's degree. This is what people who are career changers fail to grasp when returning to school. Education costs have been increasing the entire time you've been working. Look at the total debt and make sure you can keep your same lifestyle. Not saying don't do it....just saying you will be paying the fed a very large percentage of your paycheck for a while. I recommend public universities tied to state funding that also have research output....but to each his or her own.

A rehabilitation science PhD does not require a clinical doctorate. You can go directly into research if accepted. That pathway leads to teaching at the university level and conducting independent research for a large portion of your working hours.

The OTD would be a clinical doctoral degree. Im not sure on the specifics for the additional coursework or clinical rotations/hours. Also be aware that if payments increase in the future, it will be due to outside market factors not just your extra education.

Thanks for the information. I was more trying to say I wasn't going into this profession for the money, while I understand having to pay back loans etc I've never chosen my career choices based on what I would be making. I have looked into cost vs debt ratio, state vs out of state etc. I've done my homework and know what I'm getting into. The intention of this thread was to learn about programs that people may have missed because they weren't on OTCAS and why people chose their programs. There are other threads about MOT vs OTD. But I do appreciate your insight.