Program-Specific Info / Q's UF Pre-OT

[SkylerW]

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I was wondering if majoring specifically in pre-occupational therapy as an undergrad would be beneficial as opposed to just majoring in something generic? I am currently a respiratory therapist, but I have decided that I want to go back to school for OT. I have the option of finishing a BS in RT or Public health, but I was also considering relocating to Gainesville so I could go to UF's pre-OT program if it would give me some sort of advantage. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

 

[sky7]

I was wondering if majoring specifically in pre-occupational therapy as an undergrad would be beneficial as opposed to just majoring in something generic? I am currently a respiratory therapist, but I have decided that I want to go back to school for OT. I have the option of finishing a BS in RT or Public health, but I was also considering relocating to Gainesville so I could go to UF's pre-OT program if it would give me some sort of advantage. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

It doesn't matter what your undergrad degree is, honestly. Many people go into OT as a second career. Personally, I've always wanted to go into Occupational Therapy, but was not as informed enough about the field until the end of undergrad and more so after. I graduated with an English degree, and needed to start working right away and somehow landed in the health care administration. I went back to school to take my prerequisites while still working, and I happened to get into OT school this year! Thank God, it was my first and last time applying, too. Maybe it does help to have some kind of background, but I don't think it makes a huge difference as many schools look at the entire application - your personal statement, letters of recs, prerequisite grades more specifically, etc... Good luck!!

 

[futureOTmel]

I was wondering if majoring specifically in pre-occupational therapy as an undergrad would be beneficial as opposed to just majoring in something generic? I am currently a respiratory therapist, but I have decided that I want to go back to school for OT. I have the option of finishing a BS in RT or Public health, but I was also considering relocating to Gainesville so I could go to UF's pre-OT program if it would give me some sort of advantage. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

To be honest, I don't think it would give you that much more of an advantage to do pre-OT at UF. I'm currently in my second semester of OT school and have a friend from OT school who went to UF. She had a friend who was was in the pre-OT program, and she said it is pretty competitive to get in for the pre-OT. At least 100-200 people apply for admissions for it and that's just for undergrad! Plus, being in the program doesn't guarantee admission to their master's in OT. One of my other friends who went to UF for undergrad had two friends who were both in the pre-OT program. Both had tons of shadowing hours, and 4.0 GPAs. One got in and the other didn't. Both were equally as qualified, but there are a limited number of spots. They only have a certain number of spots for their pre-OT applicants and the rest of the seats they try to fill with students from other universities.

With all of that said, if you feel that you would benefit and gain a better understanding of OT and it could make you more competitive, then by all means you should apply for the pre-OT at UF. Only you know what is the best decision for yourself. But, I hope the information I offered you helps at least a little bit. If you do decide to apply and don't get into the program, don't take it personally. So many people in OT school come from diverse backgrounds and have different degrees. If you get your bachelor's in an unrelated field, you will still have to take the prerequisites that the OT programs need for their admissions anyways. The most important thing is to get enough shadowing hours so you can have a personal understanding of what OT is (this helps a lot if you get an interview because it allows you to draw from your personal experience of OT), do well in your prerequisites, have some good LORs, and write a killer personal essay. Congrats on deciding to pursue occupational therapy. It is an excellent profession. If you ever have any questions, feel free to send me a message. Good luck with everything!