General Admissions & OTCAS Should I wait to apply for next cycle?

[futurewhoknows]

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Hello all,

After a couple years of thinking my life over and working a corporate job for a healthcare provider (graduated 2015) I finally had an "Aha" moment and came to the conclusion that office life or health management just isn't for me. I've shadowed rehab therapists before during school so I already had a preference but I just wasn't ready to prep my self for grad school.

Fast forward, I'm pretty set on occupational therapy as the field for me. I know the new application cycle is opening July 2017 and I do have some prep work to do but do you guys think this is too rushed for sending out applications in December/January?

• I know I can get the minimum hours which tend to be about 25-50 for the majority of programs I've looked at. However, I'm afraid that whatever number I do end up getting won't be competitive enough vs the people that have been prepping for years.
• I do need to take the GRE but I've been studying and I tend to be a good test taker so I'm not too worried. Aiming to take it in Sept/Oct
• My undergraduate GPA is a 3.6 with generally A's and B's (AP II, Precalc, Physics) for the prereqs I've taken so far. The only classes I'm missing are Lifespan Development and Medical terminology. I expect to get A's in those and am taking them this coming Fall.

I guess I'm just asking if you guys think this is doable or if I'll even have a chance? Did anyone else kind of have a late jump start into the application prep?

Thanks for any insight guys!

 

[Sawyer95]

I did the minimum shadowing hours (50) in three weeks. I was invited to interview at my second choice, but turned it down as I was accepted to my first choice. Here are a few things that I think made my application stronger:

1. I submitted my application early (Late August). A lot of schools will start reviewing applications prior to their deadline. My program's deadline was December, but I found out I was accepted in November! This was for OTD which usually run a little earlier. Applications are usually Dec.-Feb. for MSOT. I had my application done before taking my GRE, so all I had to do was wait for my official GRE scores and hit "submit".

2. I worked really hard on my personal statement to make it as sincere and articulate as possible. I think people underestimate this portion of the application sometimes. It is so important to create a really strong piece of writing that is unique to you-- your passion AND qualification for graduate study and the profession.

At the end of the day, I think a well-rounded application is always best. But, I think GPA, good LORs, and the Personal Statement are the best indicators, but it really really depends on the program. Someone please correct me if I am wrong or have had a different experience. Obviously, this is all anecdotal and there are a lot of variables at play.

I think you are in a really good place. Most schools are understanding of outstanding pre-requisites (unless it is A&P). Your GPA is above average. If you're confident you can get above the required GRE cutoff, go for it. Good luck!

 

[nOTeworthy]

I'm a nontraditional student. I had a random desire to change careers from the oil industry. The layoffs are nonstop.

I began my shadowing hours January 2016. I finished my prerequisites May 2016. I took my GRE summer 2016 and never studied. I wrote my personal statements in under an hour. I applied in August. I had one interview. I got into both schools I applied to (3.3 OTCAS, 3.6 prereq, 145Q/152V/5.0AW, ~20 shadowing hours).

If you meet the minimum requirements, that's good enough for a lot of places. Seriously, you don't need 1000 hours of shadowing. Many schools will tell you, if you meet the minimum, the extra hours you put in will not give you an advantage. Also, don't send in 10 LORs if they ask for 2. People in admissions have admitted they'll only read what they ask for. I don't think people realize that. They don't have time. You may even categorize yourself as someone who doesn't follow instructions. Don't be that person. So make sure you send in the best ones. I know my LORs and personal statement were what set me apart. Writing is my superpower and my LORs were from people I trusted to shamelessly promote me. Perfect GPAs and tons of hours will not guarantee a spot in a program. It's a holistic process.

And remember, if you have a resume in corporate America, USE IT. Whether it's related to this field or not. It sets you apart from those who have only worked minimum wage jobs or volunteered. A lot of programs encourage having a diverse class. They want to bring people from all walks of life together. Yes, a bulk of the class will fit the same demographic, but you will have outliers like myself. And the outliers aren't by chance. They're looking for people like you. So if you can stand out, DO IT. The OT I was shadowing told me she had a hunch I'd get in solely on the fact that I was a nontraditional student; whereas, her OTA's couldn't. She was right.

So in short, APPLY. Isn't the possibility of getting rejected worth the chance you may actually get in?