Getting Ready for OTCAS

[RedHeadOT]

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What are some things we can get ready before the OTCAS system opens up so we are ready to get our application completed as quickly as possible? I know we can get our references lines up, but does anyone know what other things we can have done before the system opens up? Also, I saw the personal statement prompt from last year. Does anyone know if this is the same prompt for this year?

Thanks!

 

[mlc54]

Have a list (transcript, unofficial transcript, or something like that) of every class you've taken in college and your final grade for each class. It'll be a HUGE help since you have to enter every class from every semester (better than having to remember everything for the "Coursework" section)

It might also help to have a list or general idea of things you would like to include under the "Activities, Accomplishments, and Recognitions" section. The sections are:

- OT and Health Related Volunteer, Observation and Service Experiences
- Non-OT Volunteer and Service Experiences
- Extra-Curricular Activities
- Honors, Awards, Recognitions and Special Achievement
- Work Experience
- Professional Licenses and Certifications
- Publications, Presentations, and Posters
- Research Experience

You have to give each one a title, the number of hours involved, and dates. Some also want a short description of each. You're allowed a maximum of 10 per category. You can also leave categories blank if you have nothing that qualifies for it.

Hope this helps a little 😀

 

[c2902]

Have a list (transcript, unofficial transcript, or something like that) of every class you've taken in college and your final grade for each class. It'll be a HUGE help since you have to enter every class from every semester (better than having to remember everything for the "Coursework" section)

Agreed - this is the worst part of the OTCAS application, in my opinion. I would just go ahead and request copies of your transcript to be sent to you (official or otherwise) so you have all of the information you need, how many credits, exact course title, how the grade was notated (ie, letters versus numbers, etc) - AND to be sure that your school didn't make any mistakes on any information. For example, my undergraduate institution showed all four years of my degree, showed I earned it, but under the dates enrolled, it only showed two years! Obviously, that was not true, since there were four years' worth of credits, but OTCAS is a stickler for details and discrepancies, so just make sure the school doesn't have any mistakes in their system, and if they do, you can rectify them before official copies are sent to OTCAS.

On the subject of transcripts, if you are finished with all of your prereqs, have your transcripts sent IMMEDIATELY to OTCAS, or as soon as humanly possible, if you are in the processing of finishing things up. Even if you submit your application, they do not consider it completed, and therefore will not verify it, until all materials (recs and transcripts, etc) are received.

 

[RedHeadOT]

I didn't even think about having an unofficial transcript on hand. That is such a good idea. Thank you guys!

 

[CharacterZero]

Healthapples - why weren't your hours verifiable? Why couldn't you list them? Thanks!

 

[rcludo]

On the subject of transcripts, if you are finished with all of your prereqs, have your transcripts sent IMMEDIATELY to OTCAS, or as soon as humanly possible, if you are in the processing of finishing things up. Even if you submit your application, they do not consider it completed, and therefore will not verify it, until all materials (recs and transcripts, etc) are received.

But we need to wait until the cycle opens (7/17) and we can create an account, right? I imagine if we try to send them anything now it will just get lost or thrown away, without an OTCAS ID to be associated with it.

 

[mlc54]

I think c2902 just means don't wait until you've completed/submitted your OTCAS application to send transcripts. Send them as soon as possible (after the next application cycle starts) so that way you won't have to wait until they have received your transcript to put you on "the list" of applications to be verified. The verification process can take a while (I think my application was verified after 5-6 weeks), but that's because I had sent my transcripts in early. Sending them in later will only prolong the already-stressful process!

 

[c2902]

I think c2902 just means don't wait until you've completed/submitted your OTCAS application to send transcripts. Send them as soon as possible (after the next application cycle starts) so that way you won't have to wait until they have received your transcript to put you on "the list" of applications to be verified. The verification process can take a while (I think my application was verified after 5-6 weeks), but that's because I had sent my transcripts in early. Sending them in later will only prolong the already-stressful process!

Yes, that's what I meant - sorry if it was confusing; I didn't mean that particular suggestion as a "pre-application" action since it's not open yet! I just know they were VERY slow in getting things "verified", and they never actually completed my academic update, even though I had more transcripts sent the second fall grades for my prereqs were posted (after I had to submit my application, of course, to ensure it was verified in time). So as many grades as you have available when the system opens, have them sent.

 

[rcludo]

mlc54 and c2902 - got it, thanks! I figured that was probably what you meant but just wanted to be doubly sure. 🙂

Have a list (transcript, unofficial transcript, or something like that) of every class you've taken in college and your final grade for each class. It'll be a HUGE help since you have to enter every class from every semester (better than having to remember everything for the "Coursework" section)

It might also help to have a list or general idea of things you would like to include under the "Activities, Accomplishments, and Recognitions" section. The sections are:

- OT and Health Related Volunteer, Observation and Service Experiences
- Non-OT Volunteer and Service Experiences
- Extra-Curricular Activities
- Honors, Awards, Recognitions and Special Achievement
- Work Experience
- Professional Licenses and Certifications
- Publications, Presentations, and Posters
- Research Experience

You have to give each one a title, the number of hours involved, and dates. Some also want a short description of each. You're allowed a maximum of 10 per category. You can also leave categories blank if you have nothing that qualifies for it.

Hope this helps a little 😀

This is great, thank you! Under work experience, do you know how much they want? Is it only the more serious, longer-term jobs that are worth putting or should I include, say, those 3 months as a barista during high school? If I wanted to fill up all 10 it would have to include the menial ones.

 

[mlc54]

That's really up to you. You don't have to have 10 for each category, but if you feel like you really want to have 10, then go for it! Personally, I only included 1 item under "work experience" since I had previously worked there every summer for 8 years (and because I had my supervisor from this job write me a letter of recommendation). I decided not to include the other jobs I've had because 1 I worked at for less than 6 months (and had nothing to do with OT/would probably not have strengthened my application at all) and the other was a research experience with a professor (that I decided to include under the "research experience" category intead).

Again, totally up to you as to how many items you want to include. If the job was related to OT or the healthcare profession at all, I would recommend including it!