OTCAS Progress?

[gymnastau]

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I was wondering if anyone else has started their application with the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service? How is it going for you?

I have found it very easy to use but tedious. I love that there is a central service now but it's been a bit of a juggle of items. Some schools I am applying to are using it, some are not. I just entered the transcript phase of the app. service and have found that you have to print out a special sheet for each school you are getting transcripts from. That sheet has to be attached to the official transcripts that are being sent in from the institution to the OTCAS. A few of my schools that will be no issue as I know they can handle not losing that paper, but 2 other schools I took classes at... Well we shall see how it goes. 🙂

Anyways, curious on how people are doing.

Thanks!

 

[ukegal]

I thought it would be easier since it's online, but I HATE it. I have taken over 160 credits, and it took hours to enter all the course info in by hand. You'd think they'd be able to come up with something easier. I also dislike that we're supposed to send in the transcript request forms with our transcripts. I've received a lot of PSEO and CITS credits and I have to request transcripts online -- there's no way all my schools will be able to enclose that form. Ugh!

 

[gymnastau]

I thought it would be easier since it's online, but I HATE it. I have taken over 160 credits, and it took hours to enter all the course info in by hand. You'd think they'd be able to come up with something easier. I also dislike that we're supposed to send in the transcript request forms with our transcripts. I've received a lot of PSEO and CITS credits and I have to request transcripts online -- there's no way all my schools will be able to enclose that form. Ugh!

I have my fingers crossed. Most of the schools told me they get the forms that attach to the transcripts all the time. I too have a few that you can only order them online so that is getting a little difficult.

One of my references finished her letter for me through the OTCAS. She said it was easy once she figured it out but said the directions didn't stand out to her that she needed to submit electronically.

Glad to hear someone else spent hours (day and 1/2.. haha) inputting their classes too! Yikes!

 

[ukegal]

So it will show up on the status bar when a reference has completed their recommendation, right? I sent some transcripts in 2 weeks ago and they still haven't been updated in the system...I'm just wondering how that will work.

 

[laphill]

I dislike the otcas system. It doesn't seem as though they have all the bugs worked out of it.

 

[gymnastau]

So it will show up on the status bar when a reference has completed their recommendation, right? I sent some transcripts in 2 weeks ago and they still haven't been updated in the system...I'm just wondering how that will work.

Yes, when your reference has completed their recommendation the system sends you an email updating you and the status changes. One of mine came through smoothly. Another one right now is lost in space it seems. My professor followed the directions and submitted it electronically yet it doesn't seem to have shown up after 2 weeks. So I'm off to call them to figure out what the deal is.

Also 2 of my transcripts have shown up and it updates automatically. However it didn't send me an email saying they were received. I'm still waiting on a few more. I'm a non-trad. student who received my BA in 2001 so I have a few extra schools. It's a bit of a pain!

 

[ukegal]

This is taking forever for them to post my transcripts. My schools actually had tracking numbers sent with them and I emailed OTCAS. They said that if they haven't been posted in 10 days that I should have them resent. Yeah, do they know how much that would cost me? I KNOW they got them!!! soooo frustrating!

 

[ukegal]

hey all, an update: they did finally post 5/6 transcripts i sent. it took way longer than the 10 business days though -- so my advice is to send them early!

 

[laphill]

Has anyone submitted the OTCAS application yet? I submitted it almost two weeks ago and I haven't heard from a single schools to informing me that they've even received it. Two of the schools say they will send an additional packet once my application is received. I wonder what's taking so long for them to receive the application.. ?

 

[Jeckika]

Anyone else having annoying problems with OTCAS? I sent my transcript in in the beginning of January. It says it was received on the 12th, yet they haven't processed my GPA yet.

 

[lindanoche]

They don't process your GPA until you submit the application in full with payment. So basically you get the GPA two weeks after you pay for your applications. Mine just posted.