Program-Specific Info / Q's Program-Specific Info / Q's SUNY Downstate 2017 Applicants

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
T

ToleteDPT94

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
May 6, 2016
Messages
16
Reaction score
4
Members do not see this ad.
Hello Everyone. I decided to create this community, to connect to those who are also applying to SUNY DOWNSTATE 2017 regarding the application process, interview process ( for those who get that far!) and hopefully the acceptance process!!
Hopefully this forum can be a blessing and a form of guidance to current applicants and even future applicants
I wanted to start a thread for others who are applying. Perhaps we can share tips, questions, stats, etc.
Undergrad: 3.370
Current pre-req GPA: 3.740
Current science pre-req GPA: 3.540
Observation hours: 210 (160 inpatient, 50 outpatient)
Work experiences: Clinical aid ( 1150+ hours)
Acceptance:
Interviews:
UPDATE: I received an email YESTERDAY about going in for an interview next week! I Will let you all know how it goes and what to expect. I hope all goes well for the rest of you
 
Last edited:
Hi! I am a re-applicant to SUNY Downstate:

Undergrad: 3.01 (yeah, not the best, but I can't change that now)
Pre-req GPA: 3.60
Observation hours: 300+ combined in special education public school, out-patient hospital, and SNF. I will be starting new observation hours at an early intervention clinic this Monday.

When I applied last year I had not completed my prerequisites and I only had one volunteer experience (at the public school). I'm hoping that these improvements help. I'm also applying to eleven schools this time, vs. three (from last year). It's such a nerve-racking experience especially considering I was rejected last year.
 
Hi guys! I'm applying to OT programs for the first time. I'm graduating in Spring 2017. SUNY Downstate is my first choice, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. 🙂

Undergrad: 3.98
Pre-req GPA: 4.00
Observation hours: 185

My application currently says "Forwarded to Admissions Committee for Review." It's been like that for a while too. I submitted my app on October 3rd.

UPDATE: I received an email today about going in for an interview next week! I hope all goes well for the rest of you too. 🙂
 
Last edited:
Hi! Also applying to Downstate OT for the first time and it's my first choice.

Undergrad: 3.15
Overall: 3.59
Prerequisite gpa: 3.63
Observation hours: 54

My application also says "Forwarded to Admissions Committee for Review." I submitted on October 29.
Good luck to all!
 
melielucky said:
Hi guys! I'm applying to OT programs for the first time. I'm graduating in Spring 2017. SUNY Downstate is my first choice, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. 🙂

Undergrad: 3.98
Pre-req GPA: 4.00
Observation hours: 185

My application currently says "Forwarded to Admissions Committee for Review." It's been like that for a while too. I submitted my app on October 3rd.

UPDATE: I received an email today about going in for an interview next week! I hope all goes well for the rest of you too. 🙂
Click to expand...
hey, how did you interview go?
 
SENIORPRES15 said:
hey, how did you interview go?
Click to expand...

Hi! My interview is tomorrow. I'm nervous, but I received some great tips from a friend who just finished his first year in the program. If anyone wants some tips/advice, I'll be happy to share. 🙂
 
melielucky said:
Hi! My interview is tomorrow. I'm nervous, but I received some great tips from a friend who just finished his first year in the program. If anyone wants some tips/advice, I'll be happy to share. 🙂
Click to expand...
yes
mine is Saturday !
who are u interviewing with
 
Hi everyone! I applied back in mid-October but my application status has said "forwarded to committee for review" since November 1st. I'm really worried that I haven't heard anything yet! 🙁 I understand that this program is highly competitive but I thought my profile would for sure give me at least an interview. I'm wondering when their first rounds of interviews were?
Here are some of my stats
Undergrad GPA: 3.56
Pre-Req GPA: 3.7
Observation Hours: Approximately 350 hours, plus had a paid job in a relevant setting giving me an additional 180+ hours

I wish all of you the best of luck! Hopefully we all get good news.
 
Happy new year! I got invited today to interview this weekend. Wondering what tips anyone has? Good luck!!
 
otgoals said:
Hi everyone! I applied back in mid-October but my application status has said "forwarded to committee for review" since November 1st. I'm really worried that I haven't heard anything yet! 🙁 I understand that this program is highly competitive but I thought my profile would for sure give me at least an interview. I'm wondering when their first rounds of interviews were?
Here are some of my stats
Undergrad GPA: 3.56
Pre-Req GPA: 3.7
Observation Hours: Approximately 350 hours, plus had a paid job in a relevant setting giving me an additional 180+ hours

I wish all of you the best of luck! Hopefully we all get good news.
Click to expand...

Hi! I think they're starting most of their interviews this month, but I was told interviews could be going on for the next 2-3 months. You still have time to hear from them. I was also told that I will be hearing back from them for an acceptance/rejection by the end of the month or beginning of February. Best of luck to you!
 
lf4188 said:
Happy new year! I got invited today to interview this weekend. Wondering what tips anyone has? Good luck!!
Click to expand...

Hi! I'll be glad to give you some tips, or rather what happened in my interview. Basically, my interviewer asked a lot about what I specifically saw and did in my observations. You could also be asked have you had any leadership roles, describe a challenge you faced, what are your study habits, why OT, etc. Hopefully this is helpful!
 
melielucky said:
Hi everyone!!! I just got accepted into SUNY Downstate a few minutes ago! I'm crying so much haha good luck everyone and I hope you hear from them very soon!!!!!
Click to expand...
Congratulations! I got an email saying my decision was ready and was scared it was a denial because I haven't been invited for an interview yet, but they said it was a mistake so the hope isn't dead yet!
 
othopeful93 said:
Congratulations! I got an email saying my decision was ready and was scared it was a denial because I haven't been invited for an interview yet, but they said it was a mistake so the hope isn't dead yet!
Click to expand...
 
othopeful93 said:
Congratulations! I got an email saying my decision was ready and was scared it was a denial because I haven't been invited for an interview yet, but they said it was a mistake so the hope isn't dead yet!
Click to expand...


Same thing happened to me! Congrats melielucky!
 
melielucky said:
Hi everyone!!! I just got accepted into SUNY Downstate a few minutes ago! I'm crying so much haha good luck everyone and I hope you hear from them very soon!!!!!
Click to expand...

Congrats Mel!!!! You will be an excellent addition to their outstanding program!
I should hear back soon!
 
melielucky said:
Hi everyone!!! I just got accepted into SUNY Downstate a few minutes ago! I'm crying so much haha good luck everyone and I hope you hear from them very soon!!!!!
Click to expand...

Congratulations!! I would be doing the same! Wondering if you have any advice concerning the interview?
 
I had an interview January 15th and thought it went really well. I also got an email saying my admission decision was ready to view and then received another email stating it was a mistake. I really hope to hear a final decision soon. It is one of my top schools. LostOT, when did you receive your acceptance?
 
Congratulations!!! I am nervous that I received that email and it is not a good sign although I read it happened to someone else. I am really hoping to hear something soon.
 
LostOT said:
I rec'd my acceptance as well ! Now I'm trying to figure out whether to complete my StonyBrook app or not .. I just paid for it two days ago :/
Click to expand...
Congrats!!!
But that's a tough call. If you're considering other schools, then do it. But if you want to go to Downstate, I say don't complete the app lol
 
melielucky said:
Congrats!!!
But that's a tough call. If you're considering other schools, then do it. But if you want to go to Downstate, I say don't complete the app lol
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'm pretty set on Downstate but it's just tragic that I paid $140+$75 for Stonybrook App literally a day ago and today for the supplemental fee... it's that 'I already paid for it' mentality but I would have to do more supplemental essays.

On another note, have you clicked the links provided in the acceptance email? Idk how to login the admission checklist page, and the financial aid page doesn't show me a package or anything
 
LostOT said:
Thanks, I'm pretty set on Downstate but it's just tragic that I paid $140+$75 for Stonybrook App literally a day ago and today for the supplemental fee... it's that 'I already paid for it' mentality but I would have to do more supplemental essays.

On another note, have you clicked the links provided in the acceptance email? Idk how to login the admission checklist page, and the financial aid page doesn't show me a package or anything
Click to expand...
Oh wow why is their app so expensive. But I understand what you mean, I would feel the same way.
I haven't clicked anything yet besides the decision link. I will check in a couple of minutes.
 
Hey everyone the same thing happened to me with the email! I received that email too stating the decision can be viewed and then received another email stating it was an error. I got so scared! Haha. I'm hoping this isn't a bad sign and that there's hope still. Hoping we all hear back soon though! I'm so nervous I really want to get into SUNY downstate as well! Congrats to those who got accepted! 🙂
 
same thing happened to me with the email stating it was an error!!!! that is so messed up
 
QUESTION
for those who received the email stating "it was an error." When did you guys have your interview??
 
Well when I got the first email about being able to view my decision and then saw that my status said "forwarded to admissions committee" I called the secretary in the OT dept and she said your app is still under review and the 2nd email for the error message was sent in true error. My guess is since they have started to make decisions they are still really thinking of who to accept since it's such a small class size!

The secretary didn't give me a definite answer as to why they sent that error email besides the fact that it was a true error smh
 
I received the error email too, and interviewed on Jan 4. Really hoping for good news soon!!
 
Hi everyone! I have an interview scheduled for this week and I am getting nervous, does anyone have tips for the interview/essay. Thanks!
 
c
OTNicole520 said:
Hi everyone! I have an interview scheduled for this week and I am getting nervous, does anyone have tips for the interview/essay. Thanks!
Click to expand...
certainly!
Starting with the basics ( interview 101):
Great Posture + Eye contact
Speak with passion and certainty!
Dont give generic responses to any question! Try to be detailed with everything you say.
With every questions they ask, the interviewer wants to detect several things. ( What makes you stand out, what are your best qualities, how can your life experience along with OT related experience make you the best candidate for their program) YOU will be fine!
 
Last edited:
ToleteDPT94 said:
c

certainly!
Starting with the basics ( interview 101):
Great Posture + Eye contact
Speak with passion and certainty!
Dont give generic responses to any question! Try to be detailed with everything you say.
With every questions they ask, the interviewer wants to detect several things. ( What makes you stand out, what are your best qualities, how can your life experience along with OT related experience make you the best candidate for their program) YOU will be fine!
Click to expand...
Thank you!!
 
Hi everyone! I was accepted Thursday after receiving an e-mail that my decision was ready. I was interviewed 01/15.

OTNicole520 said:
Hi everyone! I have an interview scheduled for this week and I am getting nervous, does anyone have tips for the interview/essay. Thanks!
Click to expand...

The essay involved reading an article about OT practices and summarizing the information. The article had a lot of information and my advice would be to give an example or two for each point without restating everything.

For the interview, along with the basic interview stuff mentioned before, I would suggest thinking about your resume / OT volunteer hours and try to remember details about each of your sites. My interviewer asked me specifically about each site and how I thought the OT(s) there were helping the patients. Maybe think about some of the exercises, interventions, tools, techniques, etc you observed. They also ask about leadership roles you've had, challenges an OT might face, and obviously why OT. Relax, be yourself, and smile/laugh when appropriate haha.

Good luck everyone!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

V
Program-Specific Info / Q's UF OTD 2025-2026 cycle
Replies
0
Views
808
van8tv
V
C
Program-Specific Info / Q's SJSU MSOT 2025-2026 Cycle
Replies
5
Views
2K
BayareafutureOT
B
O
Program-Specific Info / Q's MUSC OTD 2025-2026 Cycle
Replies
0
Views
301
OTDreamer100
O
myotjourney
Program-Specific Info / Q's Stanbridge MSOT 2025 Irvine Campus
Replies
0
Views
906
myotjourney
myotjourney
R
Program-Specific Info / Q's OTD Interview
Replies
0
Views
1K
ros@7
R
Top