I'm hoping someone who actually knows the answer to these questions (rather than those who can only speculate) might see this post, but this board doesn't seem to see as much traffic as some others.
I am finishing up prereqs to apply for an entry-level Masters in OT program this fall. This past fall, I went through the application process to volunteer at my local hospital. I filled out an application, I signed tons of waivers for a very comprehensive background check (nothing bad in my background), I did a personal interview, I went through the hospital orientation. But, I still haven't been placed, and it's been 5 months since my interview. When I interviewed, the director of volunteer services was very enthusiastic about there being many possible areas in which I might volunteer. I am leaving one professional position (have another masters degree) to pursue OT, so I have a lot of "professional" skills. I've also volunteered in the past (though not for over a decade) and have personal experience with a disabled father. So in short, I should be a "catch" for the volunteer office. But, it seems that they have a large number of formal programs with area schools, and have to place students at specific times, so I guess placing someone else is kind of low priority.
So, to my questions... I had assumed that at this point I would have several months of volunteering under my belt, and a year of volunteering under my belt by the time I apply this coming fall... I thought I did everything right to time things well. But, now I am wondering what will happen if I am not placed any time soon. 1.) does EVERY OT school require volunteer or shadow hours? The school which I would like to attend, UNH, does not say anything at all about this in the admissions info. on their website.
2.) (More importantly) how is experience with a disabled relative viewed by admissions committees? I am 34 years old, and my father suffered a serious head injury in a car accident 31 years ago. So, I grew up with a disabled father. He has a severe short-term memory deficit. I'm well aware of all the methods he uses to compensate for this, and it's second nature to me to deal with someone who can't go about their daily tasks without using a bunch of compensatory methods - lists, notes, journals, etc. - he has a sort of "external memory." This experience is the main reason I am interested in OT - I'd like to work with head-injured patients. Is this experience valuable in any way, when it comes to admissions? I would argue that 31 years of close interaction (daily interaction for 15 years) with a head-injured person is more valuable than several months of brief interaction in a hospital, although in a hospital one would see a more diverse group of problems.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
I am finishing up prereqs to apply for an entry-level Masters in OT program this fall. This past fall, I went through the application process to volunteer at my local hospital. I filled out an application, I signed tons of waivers for a very comprehensive background check (nothing bad in my background), I did a personal interview, I went through the hospital orientation. But, I still haven't been placed, and it's been 5 months since my interview. When I interviewed, the director of volunteer services was very enthusiastic about there being many possible areas in which I might volunteer. I am leaving one professional position (have another masters degree) to pursue OT, so I have a lot of "professional" skills. I've also volunteered in the past (though not for over a decade) and have personal experience with a disabled father. So in short, I should be a "catch" for the volunteer office. But, it seems that they have a large number of formal programs with area schools, and have to place students at specific times, so I guess placing someone else is kind of low priority.
So, to my questions... I had assumed that at this point I would have several months of volunteering under my belt, and a year of volunteering under my belt by the time I apply this coming fall... I thought I did everything right to time things well. But, now I am wondering what will happen if I am not placed any time soon. 1.) does EVERY OT school require volunteer or shadow hours? The school which I would like to attend, UNH, does not say anything at all about this in the admissions info. on their website.
2.) (More importantly) how is experience with a disabled relative viewed by admissions committees? I am 34 years old, and my father suffered a serious head injury in a car accident 31 years ago. So, I grew up with a disabled father. He has a severe short-term memory deficit. I'm well aware of all the methods he uses to compensate for this, and it's second nature to me to deal with someone who can't go about their daily tasks without using a bunch of compensatory methods - lists, notes, journals, etc. - he has a sort of "external memory." This experience is the main reason I am interested in OT - I'd like to work with head-injured patients. Is this experience valuable in any way, when it comes to admissions? I would argue that 31 years of close interaction (daily interaction for 15 years) with a head-injured person is more valuable than several months of brief interaction in a hospital, although in a hospital one would see a more diverse group of problems.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
