GPA's, GRE's, XTRA's, ACCEPTANCES

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University: BYU-Idaho
Major: Health Science
Overall GPA: 3.0
Pre-Req GPA: 2.8
GRE: V-144 Q-138 A-3.5

Extra-Curric: Guitar Teacher, Campus Talent Activities Manager

Volunteer: Blood drives, Eagle Scout Projects for neighborhood youth,

Acceptances: Creighton University (Class of 2018)

Rejections: ISU (Idaho State University), Midwestern (wait listed - never heard back from them beyond that), Salus University, A.T. Still University

Interviews: Creighton University

I just wanted to share my stats with everyone because when I was looking through and seeing everyone's high GPA's and outstanding extra-curricular's and amazing job experiences, it got me a little bit down. I didn't think I had much of a chance at all at getting into school. However, my momma didn't raise a quitter so I applied anyway and did the best I could. Low and behold I got into my #1 choice! So who gives a flying rat's crapper if I was rejected by every other school? I got the one I wanted in the end. It really blows going through the application and interview process but seriously my friends, If I got in, YOU can get in as well.

--Apply as early as possible and you have a better chance at getting an interview.

--If you get an interview, don't worry about trying to impress them. They already think you're good enough to join the school (that's why they invited you for an interview - now they just want to see if you're a decent and competent human being). So, just be yourself, get along with the other applicants, be friendly, answer their questions honestly. The interview is NOT a scary thing.

Good luck to you all this year with application and interviews! Feel free to message me with ANY questions at all. I was definitely one of the "long-shots" that got in, so I can sympathize with almost all of you.
 
I so needed this today. Thank you!
 
CreightonOT2018 said:
University: BYU-Idaho
Major: Health Science
Overall GPA: 3.0
Pre-Req GPA: 2.8
GRE: V-144 Q-138 A-3.5

Extra-Curric: Guitar Teacher, Campus Talent Activities Manager

Volunteer: Blood drives, Eagle Scout Projects for neighborhood youth,

Acceptances: Creighton University (Class of 2018)

Rejections: ISU (Idaho State University), Midwestern (wait listed - never heard back from them beyond that), Salus University, A.T. Still University

Interviews: Creighton University

I just wanted to share my stats with everyone because when I was looking through and seeing everyone's high GPA's and outstanding extra-curricular's and amazing job experiences, it got me a little bit down. I didn't think I had much of a chance at all at getting into school. However, my momma didn't raise a quitter so I applied anyway and did the best I could. Low and behold I got into my #1 choice! So who gives a flying rat's crapper if I was rejected by every other school? I got the one I wanted in the end. It really blows going through the application and interview process but seriously my friends, If I got in, YOU can get in as well.

--Apply as early as possible and you have a better chance at getting an interview.

--If you get an interview, don't worry about trying to impress them. They already think you're good enough to join the school (that's why they invited you for an interview - now they just want to see if you're a decent and competent human being). So, just be yourself, get along with the other applicants, be friendly, answer their questions honestly. The interview is NOT a scary thing.

Good luck to you all this year with application and interviews! Feel free to message me with ANY questions at all. I was definitely one of the "long-shots" that got in, so I can sympathize with almost all of you.
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@CreightonOT2018 When did you apply? Are you starting this fall, or did you just get accepted for fall '16? I applied to Midwestern a couple of weeks ago, so if you have already gotten wait listed, I assume I'm not getting in!
 
wannabeOTinCA said:
@CreightonOT2018 When did you apply? Are you starting this fall, or did you just get accepted for fall '16? I applied to Midwestern a couple of weeks ago, so if you have already gotten wait listed, I assume I'm not getting in!
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I just started school this fall. I Applied to Creighton last December, interviewed in February, and got my acceptance the first week of April. So don't worry! You're in great shape! 🙂
 
RiverSong47 said:
That's awesome! Congrats on your interview, I hope it goes well! I applied to Stanbridge College in Irvine and I was accepted :] Orientation is next week!
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Oh, that's awesome! Congrats! I applied to West Coast University, but haven't heard back yet.
 
University: UC Berkeley
Major: History
OTCAS GPA: 3.77
Pre-Req GPA: 3.9-4.0
GRE: 160 Verbal // 153 Quant // 5.5 AW

Applying:
• University of Southern California
• University of Washington
• University of Illinois at Chicago
• San Jose State University

OT Volunteer:
• 96 hours in skilled nursing facility
• 21 hours in a hand therapy clinic

Extracurricular:
• 86 hours spent volunteering in a yoga/massage program working with individuals with cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis

Acceptances:
• University of Southern California (will be attending)

Rejections:
• University of Illinois at Chicago
• University of Washington
• SJSU never got back to me

Interviews: Not required
 
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Prospective O T said:
University: UC Berkeley
Major: History
Overall GPA: 3.7
Pre-Req GPA: 3.9-4.0
GRE: 160 Verbal // 153 Quant // 5.5 AW

Applying: (Haven’t submitted my application yet)
• University of Southern California
• San Jose State University
• University of Washington
• University of Illinois at Chicago

OT Volunteer:
• 96 hours in skilled nursing facility
• 21 hours in a hand therapy clinic

Extracurricular: (ongoing)
• 86 hours spent volunteering in a yoga/massage program working with individuals with cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis

Acceptances: TBD
Rejections: TBD
Interviews: N/A

I would love some feedback on my chances!! I realize my volunteer/extracurriculars aren't stellar, but I thought I'd give this application cycle a chance regardless. Rain or shine I'll be sure to update once I hear back from schools. Good luck to you all!
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You have great stats. Your grades will not be an issue at all and your GRE is solid. I think schools like to see a lot of volunteer/shadowing just so they know that you actually know what the profession is like, and that you are truly interested in it. I think you have more than enough hours to qualify for that. Combining your volunteer hours and excellent GPA and GRE, your chances of getting an interview are really good. Just make sure to apply as early as possible to up your chances even more. Good luck! 🙂
 
CreightonOT2018 said:
You have great stats. Your grades will not be an issue at all and your GRE is solid. I think schools like to see a lot of volunteer/shadowing just so they know that you actually know what the profession is like, and that you are truly interested in it. I think you have more than enough hours to qualify for that. Combining your volunteer hours and excellent GPA and GRE, your chances of getting an interview are really good. Just make sure to apply as early as possible to up your chances even more. Good luck! 🙂
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Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. I really appreciate it!!
 
University: small private college in Pennsylvania
Major: Recreation and Leisure Administration with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation
Actual Undergraduate GPA: 3.58
OTCAS GPA: 3.46 (terrible freshman year)
Last 60 credit GPA: 3.94
Pre-Req GPA: 3.62-3.81 (about a 3.7 for most schools)
GRE: V-156 Q-145 AW-4.0

Internships: 120 hours working in therapeutic recreation at a nursing home, and 56o hours in therapeutic recreation at a different nursing and rehabilitation center.

Work: 2,200 hours working full-time as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at the nursing and rehab facility where I completed my second internship. I perform assessments, write progress notes, write discharge summaries and plan/facilitate activities and events.

Certifications: BLS certified, First-Aid certified, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Shadowing experience: 40 hours in work related injuries, 20 hours in an outpatient pediatric facility, 5 hours in hand therapy, and 10 hours in an inpatient rehab facility (mostly geriatric patients)

Applied: Towson, Thomas Jefferson, Chatham, Boston University, Sacred Heart, University of the Sciences, Temple, Virginia Common Wealth, Salus, Winston-Salem, University of Pittsburgh, and Davenport.

Submitted: 10/3
verified: 10/16

Acceptances: Chatham 🙂 (12/4), Towson (8/18)
Rejections: Virginia Common Wealth (1/21, incomplete application), Thomas Jefferson University (2/16), Boston University (2/19), University of Sciences (3/10, postal mail), Davenport (5/3)
Interviews: Chatham (11/21), Sacred Heart (1/14, but later declined the invite), Temple (offered after being waitlisted 1/25, but declined the interview)
Waitlisted: Temple (12/7) (removed self from waitlist 1/26), University of Pittsburgh (2/5) (removed self from waitlist 3/30) , Winston Salem (2/24) (removed self from waitlist 4/28), Towson (3/28)

*Made it to second round for Towson University (2/16)

So excited to start school at Chatham!!!
 
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University: ASU
Major: Health Science
Overall GPA: 3.75
Pre-Req GPA: 3.9-4.0

Applying: MWU AZ, ATSU, University of Toledo, NAU, MGH, Washington University, Pacific University, St. Catherine University, Creighton University

Acceptances: University of Toledo, ATSU

Rejections:

Interviews: MWU AZ, ATSU, MGH, Creighton (I declined), NAU
 
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University: University of Kansas (undergrad), University of Phoenix (MBA)
Major: Business Marketing
Actual Undergraduate GPA: 3.75
OTCAS GPA: 3.66 (not sure how this is calculated)
Last 60 credit GPA: 3.94
Pre-Req GPA: 3.8-3.95 (depends on the school)
GRE: V-154 Q-156 AW-4.0

Volunteer (OT): 96 hours with the outpatient center for the county hospital. 20 hours with an elementary school/autism room

Other Volunteer: Elementary school reading with kids, day care center, tutoring in college

Letters of Rec: 2 from OTs, 1 from a past manager, 1 from the student I tutored in grad school

Applied: CSU Dominguez Hills, San Jose State U, Samuel Merritt, Midwestern AZ and IL, University of Minnesota, St. Catherines, UW Milwaukee, Nova Southeastern

Submitted: 9/27
Verified: 10/12

Acceptances: CSU Dominguez Hills (10/26/15)
Interviews: Midwestern AZ (invited on 10/27 - I declined), Samuel Merritt (invited for 12/5 - I declined)
Rejections: TBD

I'll edit as I hear about acceptances, rejections and interviews. Good luck everyone!
 
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Hi everyone! Tonight I got an email from University of Pittsburgh saying my application is currently under review and that I would be notified by early January, but possibly earlier. Does anyone have any idea how long it usually takes to hear back? Thanks!
 
deebeeay said:
Hey there. I submitted my OTCAS application at the end of September, and it was verified at the beginning of October. Today (11/12) I got an email from U of Pitt saying that my application was under review. I will update when I hear back from my schools! Good luck, and please post!

University: State school in New York
Major: Psychology and Art History
Overall GPA: 3.70
Pre-Req GPA: ~3.90
GRE: 153 V, 151 Q, 3.5 W (meh, but I didn't think it was worth retaking)

OT related experience: A year and a half (and still currently) working FT at a psych research lab at university. I also shadowed 50 hours at an inpatient geriatric unit at a hospital and 8 hours at an outpatient hand therapy clinic.
Extra-curricular: Worked with developmentally disabled adults for a semester, worked PT at a coffee shop throughout college, interned at an art center in Harlem for a summer, TA for a sculpture class one semester, and trained in phlebotomy.
Applied: U of Pitt, U of Washington in Seattle, UNC, and Chatham
Acceptances: U of Pitt (heard back by email on 12/11) 🙂
Rejections: N/A
Interviews: Chatham (heard back by email on 12/19 - but I turned it down)
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How long did it take for Pitt to let you know that you were accepted after notifying you that your application was under review?
 
Prospective O T said:
University: UC Berkeley
Major: History
Overall GPA: 3.7
Pre-Req GPA: 3.9-4.0
GRE: 160 Verbal // 153 Quant // 5.5 AW

Applying: (Haven’t submitted my application yet)
• University of Southern California
• San Jose State University
• University of Washington
• University of Illinois at Chicago

OT Volunteer:
• 96 hours in skilled nursing facility
• 21 hours in a hand therapy clinic

Extracurricular: (ongoing)
• 86 hours spent volunteering in a yoga/massage program working with individuals with cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis

Acceptances: TBD
Rejections: TBD
Interviews: N/A

I would love some feedback on my chances!! I realize my volunteer/extracurriculars aren't stellar, but I thought I'd give this application cycle a chance regardless. Rain or shine I'll be sure to update once I hear back from schools. Good luck to you all!
Click to expand...

@Prospective O T did you apply to SJSU yet? If so, have you heard back yet?
 
wannabeOTinCA said:
University: University of Kansas (undergrad), University of Phoenix (MBA)
Major: Business Marketing
Actual Undergraduate GPA: 3.75
OTCAS GPA: 3.66 (not sure how this is calculated)
Last 60 credit GPA: 3.94
Pre-Req GPA: 3.8-3.95 (depends on the school)
GRE: V-154 Q-156 AW-4.0

Volunteer (OT): 96 hours with the outpatient center for the county hospital. 20 hours with an elementary school/autism room

Other Volunteer: Elementary school reading with kids, day care center, tutoring in college

Letters of Rec: 2 from OTs, 1 from a past manager, 1 from the student I tutored in grad school

Applied: CSU Dominguez Hills, San Jose State U, Samuel Merritt, Midwestern AZ and IL, University of Minnesota, St. Catherines, UW Milwaukee, Nova Southeastern

Submitted: 9/27
Verified: 10/12

Acceptances: CSU Dominguez Hills (10/26/15)
Interviews: Midwestern AZ (10/27/15)
Rejections: TBD

I'll post again as I hear about acceptances, rejections and interviews. Good luck everyone!
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I had an interview with Midwestern on Oct. 28th! How did yours go? Have you heard back from them?
I'm still waiting to hear!
 
Major: Exercise Science
OTCAS GPA: 3.63
Prereq GPA: 3.7-3.8 depending
GRE: 150-Q 154-V 4.5 AW

Observation/Volunteer Hours: 105 hours volunteering with OT's in a rehabilitation hospital, geriatrics, memory care, and local school district special education room

Work experience: PCA for 800 hours with a child with brain damage (performed PT, OT, and speech exercises--also attended OT and speech therapy sessions), Resident advisor for 3 years of undergrad, office assistant for my major's department (assisted with research when necessary), waitress

Extracurricular activities: Member of Active Minds, Delta Epsilon Sigma (national scholastic honors fraternity), Omicron Delta Kappa (national leadership honors fraternity), Vice President of National Residence Hall Honorary

Awards: student leadership scholarship recipient for 2015/2016 year, Recognized by NRHH at my university for my leadership and community service

Applied: Creighton, St. Scholastica, University of Minnesota, Saint Catherine University, UW-La Crosse
Interviews: Creighton (offered 11/17--declined)
Accepted: St Scholastica (2/2)
Rejected: N/A
Waitlist: N/A

Good luck everyone!🙂
 
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preotaz said:
I interviewed on 10/29 and they let us know they will be meeting to review on the 11th and we should hear by the 14th.
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This is good to know! I interviewed on the 29th as well but I don't remember getting exact dates, did you ask during your interview? She just said they were "meeting sometime next week" which would have been this past week.
 
wannabeOTinCA said:
@Prospective O T did you apply to SJSU yet? If so, have you heard back yet?
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Hi, I sent my application in on November 1st so I won't be hearing back from SJSU for at least a few weeks (at the very earliest). Due to rolling admission, I'm not sure when they will be getting back to applicants. There is a post on this forum where someone said they applied in December and heard back from the program in early February. Best of luck to you!
 
University: Montclair State University
Major: Psychology
Overall GPA: 3.35
Last 60: 3.7
Prereq GPA: 3.7-4.0 depending on school
GRE: V:151, Q:151, 4.0 W

Observation: 165 hours in 3 settings (peds, geriatrics, inpatient/outpatient hospital)
Volunteer: Over 1500 hours with church

Applied: Misericordia U, University of New England, Philadelphia U, Salus U, Sacred Heart U, and University of the Sciences.

Interviews (so far): Misericordia (11/7) and UNE (11/13)

Acceptances: Misericordia! (11/13, dated 11/10)

Rejections:
 
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University: UCSD
Major: Human Development
Overall GPA: 3.806
Last 60: 3.95
Prereq GPA: 3.9 - 4.0
GRE: Verbal 166, Quantitative 163, AWA 5

Observation: 35 hours pediatric outpatient public hospital, 30 hours pediatric outpatient private clinic, 80 hours skilled nursing facility
Volunteer: around 100 in various school settings

Applied: Cal State Dominguez Hills, San Jose State, Washington University St. Louis

Acceptances: CSUDH

Rejections:
 
highdesertgirl said:
This is good to know! I interviewed on the 29th as well but I don't remember getting exact dates, did you ask during your interview? She just said they were "meeting sometime next week" which would have been this past week.
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I interviewed on the 29th as well! I received an acceptance email on the 12th of this past week, so you should be hearing back pretty soon. They had told us they were holding their meeting on the 11th.
 
Major: Psychology with a minor in Behavioral Neuroscience
OTCAS GPA: 3.5-ish
Pre-Req GPA: Around a 3.7-3.85?
MAT: 454 (98% general, 99% among prospective OTs. 😉)

Observation: Around 105 hours in 4 settings (outpatient/inpatient hospital, sensory clinic for people with developmental disabilities, elementary school)
Work Experiences: Over 2 years at a group home for people with intellectual disabilities, 1 summer at a camp for intellectual disabilities, started working at a preschool in Sept, and reading tutoring at an elementary school. Plus fast food, not that it counts.
Other: Around 30 hours volunteering in schools, lab assistant for neuroscience professor, plus some practicum stuff in schools that I included.

Applied: Thomas Jefferson (OTD), Salus, Springfield, UNE (submitted last 2 schools later)
Interviews: Salus, Thomas Jefferson, UNE (Salus and TJU late December, UNE late Jan)
Acceptances: Thomas Jefferson (1/14), Salus (1/27)
Rejections:
 
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lilmiscassie92 said:
I interviewed on the 29th as well! I received an acceptance email on the 12th of this past week, so you should be hearing back pretty soon. They had told us they were holding their meeting on the 11th.
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I interviewed on the 29th too but I haven't heard anything yet! 🙁
 
lilmiscassie92 said:
I interviewed on the 29th as well! I received an acceptance email on the 12th of this past week, so you should be hearing back pretty soon. They had told us they were holding their meeting on the 11th.
Click to expand...

Congratulations on your acceptance!!! The school is great. I liked it.

I actually interviewed the 28th, I wrote the wrong date. However, I still have not heard back from Midwestern. When I looked on the portal, it is saying that they do not have my bachelor's degree. I emailed them and all the admissions personal said back was that I needed to have my transcripts sent over. I did days ago electronically and I have not heard back nor have they updated my status. I haven't received a rejection yet but I haven't received acceptance either. But oh well...I got accepted into another program that is more affordable anyhow.
 
highdesertgirl said:
Congratulations on your acceptance!!! The school is great. I liked it.

I actually interviewed the 28th, I wrote the wrong date. However, I still have not heard back from Midwestern. When I looked on the portal, it is saying that they do not have my bachelor's degree. I emailed them and all the admissions personal said back was that I needed to have my transcripts sent over. I did days ago electronically and I have not heard back nor have they updated my status. I haven't received a rejection yet but I haven't received acceptance either. But oh well...I got accepted into another program that is more affordable anyhow.
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I'm in the same situation with Midwestern! I haven't heard anything so I emailed them today...so strange.
 
highdesertgirl said:
Congratulations on your acceptance!!! The school is great. I liked it.

I actually interviewed the 28th, I wrote the wrong date. However, I still have not heard back from Midwestern. When I looked on the portal, it is saying that they do not have my bachelor's degree. I emailed them and all the admissions personal said back was that I needed to have my transcripts sent over. I did days ago electronically and I have not heard back nor have they updated my status. I haven't received a rejection yet but I haven't received acceptance either. But oh well...I got accepted into another program that is more affordable anyhow.
Click to expand...

Thank you! 🙂 Hmm I know it did take a week or two for everything to process. You still have plenty of time. That's great that you got accepted elsewhere though! Congrats!
 
I just got an email about an interview at BU! Anyone else also heading up to Boston on December 17th? 🙂 happy!
 
I just got my acceptance to Murphy Deming's OT Doctorate program at Mary Baldwin! I'm excited, has anyone else applied/interviewed there?
 
mic1057813 said:
I just got my acceptance to Murphy Deming's OT Doctorate program at Mary Baldwin! I'm excited, has anyone else applied/interviewed there?
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Congratulations! I interviewed there last year and ended up on the waiting list. I reapplied this year and hopefully will get another interview. It was just verified by OTCAS today. Seems like a great new program!
 
Good luck!! The interview kind of intimidated me. I'm sure you're familiar with it but let me know if you have any questions! I'm just waiting to hear back from VCU now, and a few other programs.
 
mic1057813 said:
I just got my acceptance to Murphy Deming's OT Doctorate program at Mary Baldwin! I'm excited, has anyone else applied/interviewed there?
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I applied there as well and received an email that the admission's committee received my application this past Monday and will update me on the status of my application as well as notifying me if I qualify for an interview. Hopefully they will contact me soon!
 
perspectiveOT123 said:
I applied there as well and received an email that the admission's committee received my application this past Monday and will update me on the status of my application as well as notifying me if I qualify for an interview. Hopefully they will contact me soon!
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Good luck, I hope it goes super well!
 
highdesertgirl said:
This is good to know! I interviewed on the 29th as well but I don't remember getting exact dates, did you ask during your interview? She just said they were "meeting sometime next week" which would have been this past week.
Click to expand...
Did you hear back from them yet? I'll be happy to just get on the wait list or even better alternate list!
 
Did
accio_puppies said:
University: Cal State Northridge
Major: Communicative Disorders and Sciences
Overall GPA: 3.46
Last 60: 3.93
Pre-req GPA: 4.0
GRE: Verbal 160, Quantitative 152, AWA 4

Volunteer: 350< hours in 5 different settings (acute, outpatient, hand therapy, pediatrics, neuro)

Applied: Cal State Dominguez Hills

Acceptances: Cal State Dominguez Hills

Rejections:
Click to expand...


Were you interviewed and how did you find out your acceptance?
 
lilmiscassie92 said:
Thank you! 🙂 Hmm I know it did take a week or two for everything to process. You still have plenty of time. That's great that you got accepted elsewhere though! Congrats!
Click to expand...
preotaz said:
I interviewed on the 29th too but I haven't heard anything yet! 🙁
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Hey! I was the girl from Fresno, Ca. I haven't heard back either 🙁. I'm a little scared to look on my portal, but wouldn't they email me whether I got accepted?
 
hopefullyOT said:
Did they email you back?
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They sent me an email. Nothing is different on my portal since I submitted my applications. I don't even see where you can see your overall GPA on there lol.
It's still early though. Did you interview at other schools?
 
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