General Admissions & OTCAS rejection

[kgprospot]

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Hello. I am curious to know what ppl plan on doing if they don't get into OT school besides COTA and reapplying.

Thanks!

 

[3rdTime'sTheCharm]

Hello. I am curious to know what ppl plan on doing if they don't get into OT school besides COTA and reapplying.

Thanks!

I am considering nutrition (RD) in the event that I don't get into school. I love OT and am confident it's the correct career path for me, but this is my third time applying to school (tried PT the first two years and had a change of heart after my dad had brain surgery) and I can't fathom the idea of having to wait ANOTHER year. Also really don't want to be a rehab aide for another year haha. Nutrition is something that interests me as well and at this point I'm thinking "why not" if I don't get in. That's just my alternative though. Good luck to you! Fingers crossed we will not need to resort to contingency plans.

 

[kgprospot]

Good luck to you. I was considering nutrition before I discovered OT and fell in love with it. Not a bad back-up plan.

 

[beestrng]

You guys will be fine if you apply broadly. Some schools admit more than once a year.

 

[kgprospot]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I hope you're right!!

I only applied to 5 programs because I'm limited geographically. But, let's hope that's enough.

 

[beestrng]

Well if you do not get in make sure you follow up with the program and ask specifically why and what you could do to be a better applicant the next time around.

In my case it helped me get accepted into 2 programs, albeit 2 private programs.

 

[Bokonomy]

Well if you do not get in make sure you follow up with the program and ask specifically why and what you could do to be a better applicant the next time around.

In my case it helped me get accepted into 2 programs, albeit 2 private programs.

Were you waitlisted abd got in the sane year, or did gig mean the following application cycle?

 

[Bokonomy]

I might think about finding a job in another state with an OT program and apply there. I'm going to be spending a lot of money this year with the schools I applied to. However, then I'd have to pay rent for a year, so I dunno how worth it it'd be unless it's a really cheap school.

The other thing I might do is apply to Americorps while I'm waiting, since it provides discounts to some schools, and would be a decent resume boost, I think.

Edit: Other possibilities...an EEG/MRI technician because it's a pretty quick cert, I think, and brains are interesting/important (of course). I'd go back to school after a few years, though.
School psychology if I feel like I have no chance of making it in anywhere, and since we have two in state programs.

 

[beestrng]

I was deferred dyouville for fall 2015.

OT is competitive (especially the cheaper in state schools) but like a lot of threads indicated many schools look at past 60 credits.

Totally doable.

 

[slpOT]

Hi, I applied to schools last year as a senior in undergrad and was completely oblivious to how competitive OT school truly is. In the meantime as I'm waiting to hear about next year's admissions, I'm an independent care provider through the Ohio Dept of Developmental Disabilities. I was hired by a family to take care of their 19-year-old son, and it has been really awesome. The pay is dependent on the needs/Medicaid funding of the individual, although mine is about $18/hr, and there are plenty of people out there looking for helping hands. Although I don't get an direct contact with OTs, I do take him to PT, speech, and aquatic therapy, and it's been really helpful to learn how to use his equipment and to see how someone who is severely disabled lives their life outside of therapy. I would highly recommend this as a "limbo" job, if you're planning on reapplying again - however, I know that I could not personally continue doing this as my only career. Hope this helps!

 

[jp153]

I considered a masters in health care administration but figured I don't do well at managing large groups of people.
I probably would have ended up getting a masters in healthcare informatics after getting a few IT certifications under my belt.

Wiki:
Health informatics is an evolving specialization that links information technology, communications and healthcare to improve the quality and safety of patient care.

 

[OT2016Hopeful]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I hope you're right!!

I only applied to 5 programs because I'm limited geographically. But, let's hope that's enough.

me too Kgprospot! I think we're in the same boat in terms of location, schools, etc. Here's hoping we both get in where we want!!! Trying to stay positive. 😀

 

[OTFatty]

As others have mentioned above, an in-between job can help a lot, especially one that gives you huge exposure to OT such as rehab aide or a programs director for students w/ special needs etc. You can earn money to help your OT tuition as well as gives you experience points (and also helps your essay writing).

Also, in the mean time, you can retake classes or your GRE (if those are the factors that you think can be improved) and be ready in July to start applying as soon as OTCAS opens.

 

[obsessedwithOT]

If OT is what you want to do, don't give up! I applied to about 10 schools last year, had one interview and was rejected from 8 and wait listed for 2. I was depressed. So I took the time to get more observation hours in more locations, took more science classes at a community college to boost my GPA, retook some courses that I got less than an A in, and started volunteering at a hospital and a special needs school. Not only did all this take my mind off my depression from rejections, it helped strengthen my application and I was accepted this year, and offered 3 interviews! Don't give up. I'm actually glad for my previous rejections--they helped me realize how strong I am and how I can overcome a bad situation. Best of luck!

 

[beestrng]

Dont give up.

 

[just_smiley]

You guys will be fine if you apply broadly. Some schools admit more than once a year.

Hey, I know University of St. Augustine have multiple admissions per year. Yet, its very expensive thus I am not considering strongly. What are the remaining schools that admit more than once a year?

 

[Bokonomy]

Hey, I know University of St. Augustine have multiple admissions per year. Yet, its very expensive thus I am not considering strongly. What are the remaining schools that admit more than once a year?

Concordia in Wisconsin has a spring admit, maybe West Coast? Some UK schools have fall admits as well, and they tend to be cheaper.