Non-rolling OTCAS schools

[RedHeadOT]

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I looked through the OTCAS instructions and I was unable to find the answer to my question, so I'm hoping someone might know the answer.

I am applying to a few non-rolling OTCAS schools, in addition to some rolling schools. After I e-submit for OTCAS for the rolling schools I hope to attend, will I be able to change anything in my application except to add more programs I hope to send my application to? I know that some of the non-rolling programs have supplemental materials through OTCAS, and I want to be able to access them. Will this still be possible?

Also, if I have already finished the application for non-rolling schools can I e-submit for them even though they don't look at them until around February or do I need to wait until later?

Hopefully some of you might have the answers to my questions. Thanks.

 

[RedHeadOT]

So I just called OTCAS regarding my questions. They said that after you e-submit, you can still go back and add more schools to apply to. From what I understood, any information through OTCAS that is school specific you would be able to access even if you have e-submitted before, but she said most supplemental materials are not through OTCAS but instead through the individual school. She also said that once you e-submit, a school can see your application.

I'm still not sure if there is a reason to wait to submit from non-rolling schools. For example, if the deadline is not until February, but I have my application completed now, I don't know if there is any reason to wait to submit until November/December as opposed to submitting now. Does anyone have any input on this?

 

[RedHeadOT]

I know I am answering my own question again, but I wanted to put the answer just in case someone else has the same question. I called one of the non-rolling schools I am applying to and they said that they do look at applications as they come in and there is a little bit of an advantage to submitting your application sooner rather than later. This is the case even though they don't make decisions until their deadline. Just thought this information might be helpful to others.

 

[rcludo]

Thanks for the info! I wish there was a way to update volunteer/observation hours later in the year, once you've done more, but they told me no on that.
I didn't know it was possible to have school-specific supplemental materials done through OTCAS, can you give an example? I know you have your question answered but now I'm just curious what that might be. As far as I know all my schools' supplemental materials are things sent directly to them.
Also, a benefit to submitting to non-rolling schools way before the deadline? Whoa. Super good to know!!

 

[RedHeadOT]

Thanks for the info! I wish there was a way to update volunteer/observation hours later in the year, once you've done more, but they told me no on that.
I didn't know it was possible to have school-specific supplemental materials done through OTCAS, can you give an example? I know you have your question answered but now I'm just curious what that might be. As far as I know all my schools' supplemental materials are things sent directly to them.
Also, a benefit to submitting to non-rolling schools way before the deadline? Whoa. Super good to know!!

I totally agree with you about hours of observation. I wish you could update hours of observation.

I was very surprised when the school I called told me there is an advantage to submitting before the deadline. I had no idea. Now, I don't know if that is true for all schools, but apparently it is for some. Either way, I can't think of any reason it would hurt to apply early unless you were planning on completing a lot of observation hours between now and then.

When I was talking about supplemental materials done through OTCAS I was meaning supplemental materials for the schools that are not simply available on the university website. For example, some schools have materials that are "by invitation only" according to OTCAS. I think you only get them when you submit your completed application. I'm not 100% sure how they work, which is partially why I was posting the question. I don't know if they are part of the OTCAS app or if they are completely separate and the school sends them to you. Hopefully someone else knows and can clarify? Regardless, according to the OTCAS lady I talked to, you should be able to access them even if you have e-submitted to other schools.