Lost need advice

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Hi,

I am new here and a bit confused as to what my next move should be, maybe someone can help me here.


I have completed all the prereqs for the OT program now except for physics I, which some schools recommended taking. I am setup to take that in the fall, but not sure if I should. I am already dreading it and wondering if it might lower my GPA and be counter-productive if you know what I'm saying...

If a school recommends you take physics, does that mean in all actuality that it is required? If I take physics would it give me more of a competitive edge?

So far my GPA is something like 3.65 overall and 3.8 on prereqs. I got 2 A's in A&P 1 & 2 and was a tutor last semester for A&P.

I did poorly on the GRE and have decided to study for the MAT instead. I think I can do much better on the MAT. I was interviewed at one school and she said that I only would need to bring up my standardized test score.

I have 116 hours in volunteer experience in: outpatient, nursing home and a farm setting.

Should I take physics or not? Should I just concentrate on improving my test score for that MAT?
Should I volunteer more places or try and get a job as a physical therapy aide or rehabilitation technician?

Another thing I am geographically challenged, all OT schools are a minimum of an hour away. Some an hour and change depending on city traffic. Is it doable to commute everyday for a traditional program? I am married and would really like to be able to live at home with my husband. My parents are also sick and I do not want to be far away from them. My dad is needing more care now that he was finally diagnosed with a rare degenerative brain disease. I want to make him proud and see me graduate, so as you can see I really would like to get into the program for 2012! 🙁

 

[lizzo76]

Grrrr! Stupid server refresh made me lose my whole post when I submitted it.

So the abbreviated version... regarding commuting, it is not ideal but it is the reality for many people. At a previous job, I commuted THREE HOURS EACH WAY 4 days a week. I don't mean I drove 40 miles but was stuck in traffic, I mean I went 120 miles each way, via car, long-distance bus, and subway. Even that was doable for close to a year, although not easy. At my last job (a different job) I had an hour+ commute each way for a few years, and it was okay. (That was all driving.) I've never had to commute to school, but if I don't get into my state university (25 mins away from my house) I will have to go to school out of state and have a minimum of a 90-minute commute each way. I'm married too and plan to live with my husband. Yes, the commute would get expensive, but realistically, I could never come close to getting an apartment closer to an out-of-state school for that cost, other than maybe a dingy bedroom in a run down apartment with tons of roommates - not my scene anymore. So, I'll have to commute.

Regarding physics - I would call the school and see if you can get more info. on why they recommend it. This is only the second school I have heard of that even recommends it. It may be less the case that they use it to weed applicants, and more that certain coursework in the program (maybe kinesiology) involves basic physics so they suggest that applicants have that in their background. Did you take physics (actual physics not physical science) in high school? I know in one of my semesters of A&P, we went fairly heavily into biomechanics, more so than is typical, because that was the prof's expertise. She didn't actually go over problems in class but then she gave us a take-home problem set, and then put similar questions on the final exam before we got the answers to the problem set. Those who were currently taking physics did the best. I had to dig deep into my high school honors physics knowledge. Had I remembered much of it, it would have been sufficient. Maybe you can let them know you do have some physics background (if you do) or perhaps you could do some self-study, or something, unless they STRONGLY suggest it, in which case I would take it.

But as it stands, if I were in your shoes (especially since so few schools even recommend physics so it's clearly not core to OT) I would focus my energy on upping my standardized test scores. You could also spend more time volunteering or working in a relevant area, but to me, anyway, your volunteer experience seems impressive.

 

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Thanks Liz,


The interviewer said my volunteer hours were extensive! So I guess she was impressed! 😉 I was thinking about volunteering at a children's hospital to get a hospital setting under my belt, that way I have the variety they are looking for.

I forgot to mention I signed up for microbiology too this fall because I got discouraged and thought maybe I should look into nursing... I am really all over the map, nursing is not my first choice. I guess I cannot give up that easily with OT. I have to fight one more time this year coming before I give up. I have a really good feeling that I will get in next year.

Thanks for your advice, it really means a lot that you have taken the time to reply. I plan to study for the MAT every day for a month straight and see how it goes. USP requires physics w/ or w/out a lab. I saw that you could take an online class in physics without a lab from an accredited college. I was thinking sticking with my cc if I take it. Also PhilaU recommends taking it, you are right probably a weeding tool to see the caliber of the student. I was thinking kinesiology was more relevant and my school does offer that! My husband said see how I do, he wants me to get all the prereqs for PT school because it seems less competitive than OT.

 

[lizzo76]

Hey,

Don't give up on OT, but I have to admit that I almost signed up for microbio this past semester, too, just to keep an MS in nursing an option. It turned out to largely conflict with A&P II (would have met across campus at the same second the my A&P lab ended) so I didn't take it. So, you're not the only one having those ideas, although I'm committed to OT and have a "compelling reason" (relevant family history) for pursuing OT. But anyway, just keep in mind all the other people across the country, though maybe not in whatever program you end up doing, who are in similar shoes. Keep your eye on the prize!

Thanks Liz,


The interviewer said my volunteer hours were extensive! So I guess she was impressed! 😉 I was thinking about volunteering at a children's hospital to get a hospital setting under my belt, that way I have the variety they are looking for.

I forgot to mention I signed up for microbiology too this fall because I got discouraged and thought maybe I should look into nursing... I am really all over the map, nursing is not my first choice. I guess I cannot give up that easily with OT. I have to fight one more time this year coming before I give up. I have a really good feeling that I will get in next year.

Thanks for your advice, it really means a lot that you have taken the time to reply. I plan to study for the MAT every day for a month straight and see how it goes. USP requires physics w/ or w/out a lab. I saw that you could take an online class in physics without a lab from an accredited college. I was thinking sticking with my cc if I take it. Also PhilaU recommends taking it, you are right probably a weeding tool to see the caliber of the student. I was thinking kinesiology was more relevant and my school does offer that! My husband said see how I do, he wants me to get all the prereqs for PT school because it seems less competitive than OT.

Oh, but regarding PT - my impression is that it is, overall, more competitive than OT, although I suppose it depends on the program. I mean, it requires almost the exact same prereqs as med school, minus taking the MCAT. The program itself is also much more difficult. My impression from lurking on the PT forum and talking to fellow students in A&P who are getting prereqs for PT is that it is very selective. But, maybe it's not. I don't have a sense that most OT programs are THAT selective, but a lot of people on here have that impression. So, it could all be perspective... PT is "hard" because of the extensive prereqs but maybe admissions once you have those prereqs isn't hard. Perhaps is the case that whatever program you're interested in ends up seeming like the most difficult one. Or, maybe that really is the case with the specific school which is close to you but not the case in general or something. In any case all the PT programs I have looked at require two semesters of bio (can be A&P), two of chem, and two of physics. If I were to do all that, I'd just apply to medical school.

 

[superCOTA]

So annoying that they recommend something.. make it required or don't!

3.65 seems like a respectable GPA.
Physics is sometimes a pre-requesite for Kinesology, although OT doesn't always go as deep at PT based courses do with the math. If your school lumps both OT and PT into the same class you will get the 'full treatment'. 😡

Sometimes the competitiveness of a school boils down to location.. are they the only one around in your region..
The school you are looking at ... find out how many graduated.
If you can talk to some students there find out how many they began with...

Nursing is, ultimately, more flexible than rehab with different shifts. If you see yourself working through raising children, keep this in mind. But OT moms can pull a few per diem cases while the kiddies are in school too...

If the physics teacher seems like an ass, drop it an take another one. It's time consuming but a good grade is needed. Ask around campus for the best and worst professors... back tests too while youre at it.. good luck.

 

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I guess I got the impression that PT might be easier for admissions because the one school I was looking at really ticked me off. I went to the information session for OT and everything. Then I get a denial in the mail with a FAQ about how they do not accept non-undergraduates!! Why not mention this at the hour long session? They collect a $50 application fee from 180 students... I bet you half of them were not even graduates of that school! WHAT A SCAM! However, they do except non-grads for the PT program!

I am in the north east, looking to stay in the tristate area.
I got a hold of my #1 pick for school and she said she would pull up my file to look in greater detail. I can't wait for her suggestions.

Lizzo, did you finally get into a program?
I looked into the RN program at my cc, but heard that RN's are not even being hired. So this would be a round about way going for a masters degree since it looks as though I would be doing some type of bridge program for nursing any how. My heart tells me OT is where I'd be happiest though! I have to try to at least listen to my heart...
Philadelphia University is my first choice because it's the only weekend program around, yet probably the most competitive because it's a weekend program. I will suffer though Physics if it means a spot in the program! Will find out soon!