General Admissions & OTCAS Personal statement & career change

[therapist2be]

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So originally I wanted to pursue speech pathology but then changed my mind and decided to pursue occupational therapy after graduating last year. Since then I've been taking prereq's that i needed and getting observation hours, etc. In my personal statement do you think I should mention why I decided to change which therapy career I am going into?

 

[RUNNING_OT]

So originally I wanted to pursue speech pathology but then changed my mind and decided to pursue occupational therapy after graduating last year. Since then I've been taking prereq's that i needed and getting observation hours, etc. In my personal statement do you think I should mention why I decided to change which therapy career I am going into?

I considered being a PT before being exposed to OT and it is a great way for you to demonstrate that you understand the role of OT alongside other health professions. One of my classmates now was actually considering speech as well before applying for OT instead.

 

[FINGERS_CROSSED]

If you decide to write about that switch, I would not say anything bad about speech therapy (i.e. "Speech was not fulfilling enough" etc). The fields are so interrelated that I think it would look poorly for you. Turn it into a positive.

 

[therapist2be]

If you decide to write about that switch, I would not say anything bad about speech therapy (i.e. "Speech was not fulfilling enough" etc). The fields are so interrelated that I think it would look poorly for you. Turn it into a positive.

Oh no I still love speech and everything I learned, it's a great profession. Even though there is lots of variety offered in speech I prefer the types of things I could do more as an OT over being an SLP. Thanks for your input.

 

[Coco88]

I worked in government accounting for a few years after I graduated. In my personal statement, I highlighted things I learned from that experience and what I did on the side to pursue occupational therapy so maybe you could touch on the will to help people, the rehab professions etc. In the end, I think an honest personal statement will get you far, especially since schools see hundreds.

 

[nOTeworthy]

You can, but I didn't. I got my degree in psychology/criminal justice (double major). Went into the workforce for 5+ years and decided to go back to school after my speech pathologist friends suggested OT. Did prerequisites at a community college. I mentioned why I chose OT, but didn't go beyond that. Our essay length was restricted and no one wants to read a long essay. So I focused on my main points.

 

[purplegold86]

I did because I was in special education and I talked about how being in special ed lead me to become an OT. I did not say anything negative about education, I just simply stated how OT was a better fit for me.

 

[proapplicant]

I changed too. Mentioned it briefly and tried to connect some of the things I learned to OT. Don't get too caught up on it.

Also, does anyone else see the OP's name as "the rapist 2 be" rather than "therapist 2 be" or is it just me? I never scrolled up so fast to re-check a name.

 

[FINGERS_CROSSED]

 

[proapplicant]

A+ comment, you win the thread

 

[PNW_OT]

So originally I wanted to pursue speech pathology but then changed my mind and decided to pursue occupational therapy after graduating last year. Since then I've been taking prereq's that i needed and getting observation hours, etc. In my personal statement do you think I should mention why I decided to change which therapy career I am going into?

I did the same! In my personal statement I connected a life experience to why I shifted career direction from SLP to OT, but stated why rehab has always been my focus. I went on to be a PT aide while I applied to schools to get healthcare experience so I also wrote about how the exposure to different professions works to a interdisciplinary advantage and makes me value what everyone contributes to a person's rehab.

 

[therapist2be]

I changed too. Mentioned it briefly and tried to connect some of the things I learned to OT. Don't get too caught up on it.

Also, does anyone else see the OP's name as "the rapist 2 be" rather than "therapist 2 be" or is it just me? I never scrolled up so fast to re-check a name.

LOL!!!! I never thought it would look like that to some people haha. It's definitely "Therapist"