Stats- Does the undergraduate major matter?

[TinaTinaOT]

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Hello everyone! First time poster!

I've been reading up on a lot of people's stats to see where I fit it/where I could expect to get into in the fall but what I have found is that many of you have undergraduate majors that are somehow related to occupational therapy. Mine is not. I graduated this past May with a degree in Communications (specifically Public Relations and Advertising) and a minor in Psychology. I'm afraid my Communications degree will hurt my chances.


My stats are:
Major: Communications, Minor: Psychology
GPA: 3.52
Prerequisite GPA: around 3.2, I will still be taking prerequisite courses when I apply but will be done by the summer in time for grad school
GRE: ~650V 650M 4W
Hours- In process but wont be spectacular- trying for 90 by January
I was VERY active in extra curricular activities in college but I'm not sure that matters.


My question is- with my lower hours and unrelated major, will I look serious to schools?
I'm looking at a variety of schools, some of my favorite being USC (but alas, this will be extremely unlikely), Towson, NOVA, and Florida International University.

-Tina 🙂

 

[kp24]

Hello everyone! First time poster!

I've been reading up on a lot of people's stats to see where I fit it/where I could expect to get into in the fall but what I have found is that many of you have undergraduate majors that are somehow related to occupational therapy. Mine is not. I graduated this past May with a degree in Communications (specifically Public Relations and Advertising) and a minor in Psychology. I'm afraid my Communications degree will hurt my chances.


My stats are:
Major: Communications, Minor: Psychology
GPA: 3.52
Prerequisite GPA: around 3.2, I will still be taking prerequisite courses when I apply but will be done by the summer in time for grad school
GRE: ~650V 650M 4W
Hours- In process but wont be spectacular- trying for 90 by January
I was VERY active in extra curricular activities in college but I'm not sure that matters.


My question is- with my lower hours and unrelated major, will I look serious to schools?
I'm looking at a variety of schools, some of my favorite being USC (but alas, this will be extremely unlikely), Towson, NOVA, and Florida International University.

-Tina 🙂

Theres a lot of room for innovation in Occupational Therapy so you can take what you did as your undergrad major and turn it into something that you can use as an Occupational Therapist. For example, you can do your B.S in dance & use that as an occupational therapist by incorporating it into treatment plans. I dont believe being a communication major hurts your chances--you want to make sure you do well in your pre-req classes. Use your degree as your advantage. Like you said, most of us have a degree some what related to the sciences so you will def. stand out. Try to convey that in your personal statement...how would you use what you have gained through your B.S when your practicing in the field? It can actually help you a lot by showing that your a creative thinker and that you like thinking out of the box. I knew an economic major that got into physical therapist so you def. have a chance! Best of luck!

 

[jlr5585]

I was a Social Studies teacher before switching to OT and my undergrad major was history and education. I had to go back to school for 2 semesters to do prereq's because I barely took any science courses! The only thing that they may ask you on an interview (which I was asked) was...how do you think this degree can serve you as an OT? Try to think of an answer because you can come up with something really creative and impress them with your skills and how they can relate to your desire to be in this profession. Best of luck!

 

[OTgal03]

Honestly your undergrad major is related to OT in some way. Communicating is so imporatant and being able to do that with your patients is a vital skill to have.

 

[TinaTinaOT]

Thanks!