Those of you who have posted stats on this forum...

[Quarternote43]

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Hi everyone,

Does anyone know how the overall GPA is calculated for OT grad programs? I am particularly interested in those of you who have already posted grade stats on this site... are you posting your OTCAS GPA, or the GPA stated on your undergrad transcript?

I'm asking because I petitioned for, and received, grade exclusion for two of my earlier undergrad semesters (messed up when I was younger), so my transcripts state that I have a cumulative 3.37 GPA... however my "comprehensive" GPA is 2.8 (not stated on my transcript). Based upon what I have read on these forums, the OTCAS system appears to be pretty unforgiving, so I am a bit concerned.

Here are my other stats:

Major GPA: 4.0
Last 60 credits: 3.9
Last 90 credits: 3.8
Prerequisites (so far - I still need to complete both semesters of A&P and 3 other courses): 3.8
Haven't taken the GRE yet

I just completed my undergrad degree in December (2012) and am returning to school to complete the remaining needed prerequisites for OT this summer. I haven't yet been able to submit my transcripts for evaluation on OTCAS because I am applying for the 2014 (or 2015) cohort.
Because I have just started this process I haven't begun shadowing yet, but I have quite a bit of volunteer experience in various social service settings, three-year employment experience as a disability tech (worked with children and adolescents who had Autism, Down's Syndrome, etc.), three years as a Head Start teacher, and recent experience as a Psychosocial Rehabilitation provider.

I have limited financial means (both my husband and I are students!) and applying to schools is expensive, so I don't want to begin applying until I am reasonably confident that my overall GPA won't be a dismissive factor.

Any input/advice, particularly regarding how overall GPA is calculated, would be greatly appreciated!

 

[OTTXGirl]

The break down is like this: See below. And yes absolutely OTCAS is very unforgiving. My freshman and part of my sophomore years were miserable!! So even though I retook all those classes. OTCAS calculates them all there for bringing my GPA's down.

Category Total
Hours Quality
Points GPA
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Total Undergraduate
Post-BS/BA Baccalaureate
Cumulative Undergraduate
Graduate 0.00 0.00 0.00
Overall



Course Graded
Hours GPA Hours
< 2.0 Hours
P/CR/AP Total
Hours
Natural Sciences
Social Sciences
Humanities
Math
Other
Total

 

[Quarternote43]

Thanks for your reply OTTXGirl... that is helpful. So, in your experience, is the low comprehensive GPA (assuming that it is a 2.8) a deal-breaker, or would my other GPA stats be given regard? In other words, assuming that I follow through with high grades on my remaining prerequisites, do you think I would be a competitive applicant? Do the schools who don't use OTCAS calculate overall GPA in a similar fashion, or would they just evaluate me by the 3.37 cumulative that is stated on my transcript?

I am still pretty new to this, so I would appreciate additional replies from anyone else who has had knowledge or personal experience with this type of situation...

 

[OTlove88]

Hi! I had a low cumulative as well (3.01 before the academic OTCAS update) and my last 60 was lower than yours (about a 3.8) but I did get into several programs. However, I did apply to many programs that look at only the last 60 credit GPA and I would recommend that as well since you said you are on a tight budget. Also, contact schools to get a feel for what they are looking for in a candidate. I got accepted into Rush University and they look at cumulative GPA but I'm pretty sure they focus more on the whole person as opposed to just stats. On the other hand, I know I got rejected from some programs because of my low GPA and I'm sure they had a cut off for applicants they even consider.
Trust your instinct! Remember that because you had such a huge improvement that it'll look very good to admissions people and you need to address why you did poorly in the first few semesters in your personal statement. Apply super early as well - try to get your OTCAS submitted by September the latest so you have a head start! Especially for rolling admissions programs. If there are any OT programs in your area then go in for an advising meeting so you may explain your situation and ask what they advise for you to do. Finally, keep in contact with programs you really are interested in. Let them get familiarized with your name - be persistent and determined so they see how serious you are about doing their program. Email questions every few months, go in for meetings, ask to sit in on a class, etc. Soon enough your low GPA won't stand out anymore - your drive will!

 

[OTTXGirl]

I agree with OTLove about applying early!! I applied two years in a ro and the first year I got into only one school and it was solely because I applied late. You are still very much so competitive, it definitely looks good if your pre reqs are mostly A's & B's, so do well in the remainder.

But I have to disagree with OTLOve, I don't think you should address your poor performance early on in your personal statement. You definitely want to focus on all the positive aspects about your self and really showcase why you would be the best OT & what brought you to OT. I didn't address it in my statement and I received acceptance to several schools. If you haven't done so already, try and get as many volunteer hours in a many settings as you can, I know that was one of the strongest deciding factors in my application that set me apart.

I would also advice that you complete your OTCAS application as soon as possible. It typically opens up in mid July so aim to have all your stuff by then and submitted no later than early Sept. Also if your still concerned about your grades lots of schools only look at the last 60 hours so try and apply to those schools.

 

[cammmiam]

I agree with OTLove about applying early!! I applied two years in a ro and the first year I got into only one school and it was solely because I applied late. You are still very much so competitive, it definitely looks good if your pre reqs are mostly A's & B's, so do well in the remainder.

But I have to disagree with OTLOve, I don't think you should address your poor performance early on in your personal statement. You definitely want to focus on all the positive aspects about your self and really showcase why you would be the best OT & what brought you to OT. I didn't address it in my statement and I received acceptance to several schools. If you haven't done so already, try and get as many volunteer hours in a many settings as you can, I know that was one of the strongest deciding factors in my application that set me apart.

I would also advice that you complete your OTCAS application as soon as possible. It typically opens up in mid July so aim to have all your stuff by then and submitted no later than early Sept. Also if your still concerned about your grades lots of schools only look at the last 60 hours so try and apply to those schools.

how early do you recommend to apply? the deadline is oct 1 for me.

 

[OTTXGirl]

how early do you recommend to apply? the deadline is oct 1 for me.

As soon as the application opens up.

 

[Quarternote43]

Thanks OTlove and OTTXGirl, and congratulations on your acceptances! I bet that feels like such a relief... how exciting! Yes, I have heard varying recommendations and differences of opinion regarding what to say (and not to say) in the personal statement. I guess it just depends on the school and the way in which such explanations are worded.
Regarding applying early... I have thought a lot about this and am still unsure what to do. I have read everyone's recommendations about applying early, but the problem is that I was a social science major so I haven't taken many natural science courses (just lower-division Biology and Geology). I received B's in those courses, B's in my two math courses, and an A in statistics. I still need to take two semesters of A&P, medical terminology, abnormal psych, and I will also be taking chemistry, physics and technical communication (these last three were individual requirements or recommendations from two of my top schools). I will be taking the last three this summer, but I won't be able to begin my first A&P class until Fall, followed by the second round in the spring. Do you guys think it would be too early for me to apply, especially given that I haven't taken A&P yet?

Thanks again for your responses... I really appreciate your recommendations and reassurances! 🙂

 

[Quarternote43]

Oops, I meant to say that I will be taking technical communication, medical terminology and chemistry this summer.

 

[prodigiousflame]

an OT I shadow for mentioned that I should send in an extra letter explaining my poor overall GPA. Does anyone agree with this?

 

[OTTXGirl]

an OT I shadow for mentioned that I should send in an extra letter explaining my poor overall GPA. Does anyone agree with this?

NO!! You have to realize that, in my opinion applying to OT school is essentially an audition. You have limited time to showcase why they should pick you. Obviously you will have your downfalls but you don't want to focus on your down falls. I would only specifically discuss your low grades or GPA if asked otherwise, make them remember you for everything that is great about you, not your mistakes.

You want to give them every reason to choose you and if they think you are great and curious about your poor performance then they will ask. Otherwise I would advise against it.

 

[prodigiousflame]

thank you for your opinion OTTXGirl