General Admissions & OTCAS It only took 4 years of trying

[Nonameiwant]

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Hey, I know this is a rough time as people get placed on waitlist or find out you were not admitted. I just want to share my story really quick.

First important to note that even to finish my bachelor's degree I was a non-traditional student.

The first year I applied to grad school was the same year I finished my bachelor's I was grateful in the end I didn't get in as I didn't really have the experience and honestly I still didn't understand the full scope of Occupational Therapy.

The second year I had some work experience and was hopeful in getting in, but still I was denied. This one hurt I was bummed it was a rough year (for more reasons than just not being admitted)

The third year I applied to just two schools (one local and I applied to each year), the other out of state had not yet applied. I was waitlisted to the out of state program. I ended up being #5 and quickly moved #3 on the list but the seats never moved after that. During last summer I thought I would apply for a local OTA program but they were going to make me take their version of Intro to OT and not accept the one I took at my Alma Mater. I will say I was frustrated but it reignited the spark, and that class ended up being better then the one I had took previously.

So I reapplied. First to the out of state school I had been waitlisted at (still have yet to hear from them). Then to another out of state school I had heard of by happenstance because I met a student who was completing her fieldwork at one of my residents appointments. This school is clear across the country and doesn't use OTCAS. I would have never looked into it if I hadn't met this student.

But I was accepted! I really am pleased with what the program has to offer with their faculty and this has been a dream for such a long time. I'm still kind of in awe after receiving years of rejections. So if OT is really your goal, don't give up. You can and will make it happen!

 

[Hoping2BeOTnyc]

Congrats!! That must have been so frustrating - but I'm sure it will be worth the long wait and glad it worked out in the end!

 

[wnnojhoming]

Hey, I know this is a rough time as people get placed on waitlist or find out you were not admitted. I just want to share my story really quick.

First important to note that even to finish my bachelor's degree I was a non-traditional student.

The first year I applied to grad school was the same year I finished my bachelor's I was grateful in the end I didn't get in as I didn't really have the experience and honestly I still didn't understand the full scope of Occupational Therapy.

The second year I had some work experience and was hopeful in getting in, but still I was denied. This one hurt I was bummed it was a rough year (for more reasons than just not being admitted)

The third year I applied to just two schools (one local and I applied to each year), the other out of state had not yet applied. I was waitlisted to the out of state program. I ended up being #5 and quickly moved #3 on the list but the seats never moved after that. During last summer I thought I would apply for a local OTA program but they were going to make me take their version of Intro to OT and not accept the one I took at my Alma Mater. I will say I was frustrated but it reignited the spark, and that class ended up being better then the one I had took previously.

So I reapplied. First to the out of state school I had been waitlisted at (still have yet to hear from them). Then to another out of state school I had heard of by happenstance because I met a student who was completing her fieldwork at one of my residents appointments. This school is clear across the country and doesn't use OTCAS. I would have never looked into it if I hadn't met this student.

But I was accepted! I really am pleased with what the program has to offer with their faculty and this has been a dream for such a long time. I'm still kind of in awe after receiving years of rejections. So if OT is really your goal, don't give up. You can and will make it happen!

Hi, thank you for this post of encouragement.

This is my second year applying and I'm currently waitlisted at my top choice. Not going to lie but I have been losing hope as the days go since their waitlist closes on May 1st. The school that I'm waitlisted at doesn't disclose any information regarding where an applicant stands on the waitlist, which is frustrating.

I'm prepared to apply again for the third time this summer, but I can also feel myself second-guessing this choice of profession and whether or not if I'm actually meant to become an occupational therapist.

Did you do anything to improve your application when reapplying and how so?

 

[OThopefully183]

Hi, thank you for this post of encouragement.

This is my second year applying and I'm currently waitlisted at my top choice. Not going to lie but I have been losing hope as the days go since their waitlist closes on May 1st. The school that I'm waitlisted at doesn't disclose any information regarding where an applicant stands on the waitlist, which is frustrating.

I'm prepared to apply again for the third time this summer, but I can also feel myself second-guessing this choice of profession and whether or not if I'm actually meant to become an occupational therapist.

Did you do anything to improve your application when reapplying and how so?

I absolutely understand where you are coming from, it is frustrating to say the least. I would say don't give up hope there is still time until May 1st. I wouldn't doubt yourself. I mean if you do truly want to pursue this field you'll know it in your gut feeling. For me personally, I quit my job and applied for school this year. Though I know it probably is risky to let go of a stable job, but deep down I was not as passionate about this as OT. As long as I gave it my all and tried my best, at least I won't regret it. I know I can always go back to my current field if things don't work out.

This is my second year reapplying as well. I was fortunate enough this year to be accepted to a school this year, what I found I did different that seem to help a lot this time around was:

1) Pick schools from a Top (my chances are slim), Middle (I have a good chance), and backup (last resort) schools. This way I can cover my basis and have more chances. Also I really was realistic about if I wanted to be in that certain area. I think geography is important as I know I can't stand heat so Florida and Arizona were not choices for me.

2) Evaluate schools and see what requirements they have. I redid certain prereqs and made sure to boost up my grades (from a B to an A). Did it help tremendously, no, but I think that shows that I cared enough to improve? By being organized (I had a spreadsheet for each school) and come July and the apps are open, I was able to make sure nothing is missing and be able to quickly and efficiently with more success apply to the schools. I think the first year that overwhelmed me and threw me off course.

3) Volunteer: I think it would be beneficial to expand your portfolio for volunteering. The first time around, I had limited hours and looking back, I can see how schools were perhaps hesitant and question my passion for the field. What I did was volunteered with a hand therapy clinic and animal trainer/ OT. Not only was I able to see/ learn more about the field, I also was able to establish a rapport with them and they eventually were the individuals to write me a LOR. First time around, I unfortunately could not get one from a therapist. So I think that made me a less desirable candidate. So volunteering is a great avenue to get letters of rec and experience.

I hope things work out for you and never give up. Taking another year (if you can) is not a bad thing. I personally could not afford another gap year, so I am just grateful it worked out.

Wishing you the best! You'll do great in whatever program you get into as long as you carry this passion along with you. 🙂

 

[Nonameiwant]

Hi, thank you for this post of encouragement.

This is my second year applying and I'm currently waitlisted at my top choice. Not going to lie but I have been losing hope as the days go since their waitlist closes on May 1st. The school that I'm waitlisted at doesn't disclose any information regarding where an applicant stands on the waitlist, which is frustrating.

I'm prepared to apply again for the third time this summer, but I can also feel myself second-guessing this choice of profession and whether or not if I'm actually meant to become an occupational therapist.

Did you do anything to improve your application when reapplying and how so?

I didn't really do anything to "improve my application" I made sure to include anything OT related. I also went back through my notes from my intro to OTA class I took and used a lot of OT jargon in my paper. Also, I will be moving across the country for OT school. I was only sticking to the one school in my state and surrounding states. When I finally branched out this year that is when things were happening.

I guess I did have a different OT write a LOR than previous years and while I did not personally read it, having read the last one I know it is better. It was the OT who comes to my work, and I have been able to make suggestions to her (and she has used some of them)

I would definitely suggest you give it another go. If you can manage some extra observation hours get those.

Really a huge inspiration in me applying again as well was due to a resident passing away who was always cheering me on to pursue OT.