Program-Specific Info / Q's UNC MSOT

[OTHopeful6601]

I applied to UNC, along with several other students from my undergrad university in NC, and none of us were asked back for an interview. I was just curious if anyone on this forum got asked for an interview this cycle? And if you did, what were your stats if you don't mind sharing? More so looking at things to improve on for next cycle if I don't get in any other of the programs I applied to. Thanks in advance 🙂

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[OTHopeful_123]

I didn't get accepted either but some of the OTs I shadowed told me that UNC prefers students that have already graduated and had some life experience after college.

 

[othopeful26]

I'm a UNC undergrad and I applied and didn't get an interview either. My gpa definitely wasn't great and I was lacking in diversity in my shadowing, although I have 130 hours/3 years volunteering at their children's summer camp... so that was my only glimmer of hope haha. I've only been out of school a year and a half, but every time I've toured UNC OT, I've noticed that the student panel is much more mature and put together than any other school I've seen (i.e. No offense but these students seem like real adults and other schools are more like recently graduated sorority girls). I obviously didn't make the cut either, so this is just my speculation. I absolutely love the school and have nothing but amazing things to say about what I've seen from the program. Congrats to anyone who was invited for an interview!! And enjoy Carolina


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[OTHopeful6601]

I didn't get accepted either but some of the OTs I shadowed told me that UNC prefers students that have already graduated and had some life experience after college.

It just really doesn't make sense to me that they don't include that in the "accepted student profile" that they provide! If you want someone with life experience and time out of college, then put that down! I may not have wasted my money if I had known that information.

 

[OTHopeful6601]

I'm a UNC undergrad and I applied and didn't get an interview either. My gpa definitely wasn't great and I was lacking in diversity in my shadowing, although I have 130 hours/3 years volunteering at their children's summer camp... so that was my only glimmer of hope haha. I've only been out of school a year and a half, but every time I've toured UNC OT, I've noticed that the student panel is much more mature and put together than any other school I've seen (i.e. No offense but these students seem like real adults and other schools are more like recently graduated sorority girls). I obviously didn't make the cut either, so this is just my speculation. I absolutely love the school and have nothing but amazing things to say about what I've seen from the program. Congrats to anyone who was invited for an interview!! And enjoy Carolina


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Thank you for the insight! I agree that UNC is a great school; I have many family members and friends still attending for undergrad and graduate programs. I just wish they would give us some insight that they want someone with life experience and not fresh out of college. It just doesn't seem totally fair to me haha.

 

[PuppyloverOT]

I didn't realize until after I applied that UNC doesn't like to take out of state students...

Somebody told me today that there is some kind of law that state schools can only take 18% out of state students... is that true? It sounded bogus to me.

I made a strong effort to reach out to the faculty, had 3 year of autism research, and a QGPA and prereq GPA of a 3.9 and didn't get an interview. My GRE scores are average so that was probably a component, but I have family down there that told me out of state was probably a factor. Though I feel like non-outstanding gre scores probably played a larger role haha.

 

[othopeful26]

I'm not sure if that's a factor for graduate programs, but it is DEFINITELY true for undergrad! Whenever there was an out of state student in any of my classes everyone would rave about how smart they must've been to be accepted! Idk if it's a law, but it makes sense since UNC is a public school and aims to provide education for NC residents

When I attended the info session I know they said that they didn't consider the undergrad institution from which you graduated, but I felt like they were being political and hinting that they actually do (somewhat) take it into consideration...

* Again, just my speculations from attending info sessions, etc


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[OTHopeful_123]

I didn't realize until after I applied that UNC doesn't like to take out of state students...

Somebody told me today that there is some kind of law that state schools can only take 18% out of state students... is that true? It sounded bogus to me.

I made a strong effort to reach out to the faculty, had 3 year of autism research, and a QGPA and prereq GPA of a 3.9 and didn't get an interview. My GRE scores are average so that was probably a component, but I have family down there that told me out of state was probably a factor. Though I feel like non-outstanding gre scores probably played a larger role haha.

It is true for undergrad at least. All state funded schools in NC are required to accept a certain percentage of in state applicants. Private schools such as Duke or Wake Forest don't have that requirement.

Your stats seem very competitive so don't get discourage. UNC is a very selective

 

[PuppyloverOT]

It is true for undergrad at least. All state funded schools in NC are required to accept a certain percentage of in state applicants. Private schools such as Duke or Wake Forest don't have that requirement.

Your stats seem very competitive so don't get discourage. UNC is a very selective

Thank you! I didn't let it discourage me too much. I am very fortunate to have been accepted to 2 other programs so I won't complain. I know that I'm lucky to have been accepted anywhere. I wonder how many other states/schools follow the similar law/rule.

 

[KTOTUNC19]

I applied to UNC, along with several other students from my undergrad university in NC, and none of us were asked back for an interview. I was just curious if anyone on this forum got asked for an interview this cycle? And if you did, what were your stats if you don't mind sharing? More so looking at things to improve on for next cycle if I don't get in any other of the programs I applied to. Thanks in advance 🙂

I was accepted this year as a senior from Appalachian State University in NC. I'm an Exercise Science major, 3.92 GPA, pre-req GPA was around 3.88. GRE 158/155/5.5. 160+ hours of shadowing in various settings and I volunteered/worked with kids for years and had experience with different populations. I learned a lot about what UNC valued during their OT Open House. I visited before the application cycle and took lots of notes to get a good feel for the school.