Prerequisites for MOT

[qqliu11]

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I am a senior and will be graduating with my bachelor's in Psychology in May of 2012. I was so focused on becoming a Psychologist that I did not explore any other career choices...so for a few months I felt stuck thinking I had no other choice, since my graduation is just half a year away. Fortunately I was exposed to Occupational Therapy and think it is what I want to do as a career. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be able to fulfill the requirements for most MOT programs. Most programs require both Anatomy & Physiology I & II. But I have only taken a Body Systems course and can't take them both next semester, unless I delay my graduation. Do you guys know any programs that do not require 2 courses in Anatomy & Physiology or only require 1? Or do you guys think it might be a better idea to just delay my graduation, take those 2 classes and do lots of volunteering to strengthen my application?

Since I had just recently decided to pursue occupational therapy, I do not have any volunteer experience...do you think that will affect my chances of getting into a good program?

Thank you for taking your time to read and respond to this! I know it's long and horrendous.

 

[veggieswirl]

Any non-OT volunteer experience you have might help you. I think Creighton just requires anatomy. i went back after my degree to a junior college to get the classes. I would say delay your graduation, or go back after graduation to a community college. Consider applying to USC, which offers anatomy and physiology right before the program starts and does not require an LOR from an OT.

 

[Taylor619]

Personally, I don't know a single program that doesn't require them (but I've also never looked). Don't delay graduation unless you need those grades (A & P) to be on your gpa calculation for your undergrad. You don't have to have all of the prereqs complete @ the time you apply (for most schools I've seen), you just have to have them done before you start the program. you would apply now for the fall 2012 class since most have fall admissions Again, this depends on what program you are looking into (I've seen some that don't start in the fall). Most of the schools I've looked at only admit once a year-for fall semester start. Okay, if you graduate in May 2012, then you would still have time to take A&P I in the first summer and A & P II in the second summer (I would do it at a community college since classes are so cheap). I've seen many people do this, and I took both of my A&P's in 6wk summers. You have to be able to study, study, study and you feel like pulling your hair out most days, but if you're really committed to making it happen, it can. Otherwise, you can defer graduation (but I wouldn't unless you need the grade) OR you can graduate and take A&P I in the fall 2012 and A&P II in the spring semester 2013 (again I would do it at a CC). You will apply next year (2012) and enter an MOT program in 2013 fall semester. I will have been off a year myself (from the time I graduated until the time I *hopefully* enter an MOT program).

Also, A LOT of programs REQUIRE volunteer work (shadowing or observation) in OT, and if they don't require it, then they "strongly" suggest it. You will have to get letters of recommendation anyway, anywhere from 1-4, and usually one has to be from an OTR, if not more. Again, this all depends on the program. So if you need to, rack up those hours when you are off between this semester and next semester (during Christmas time).

Anyway, hope this helps!

 

[OTlg2]

I think 99% of the programs require 2 A&Ps. You don't necessarily have to delay your graduation to take them, you could just graduate and take them over the summer at a CC or at your current university.

It is pretty easy to find a program that doesn't require volunteer hours. The problem is that you want them anyway. Most students apply to more than one program, so if they apply to one program that wants volunteer hours and one program that doesn't they will put the volunteer hours on each application regardless. So what I'm saying is that most people out there are going to have some hours to put on their application and if you don't it will put you at a disadvantage. I didn't start my volunteering until late in the process either and I was extremely concerned about it. But it's really not that big of a deal. Just try to find somewhere that will let you come in even just one day a week for a couple hours. & if the whole volunteer application process takes a long time see if you want just strictly observe while that process is taking place so that you're at least gaining observation hours while you're waiting to become a volunteer.