General Admissions & OTCAS Who have you heard back from? 2020-2021 Cycle

[eryn919]

Oh wow I didn’t know that! Okay thank you so much!!

Yes!! It depends on the school so it would probably be best to reach out and ask. If they do this, then you should definitely send both scores in!

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[OT_anthro]

Applied: Indiana University (in Indianapolis), Boston University, Tufts University, Wash U in St. Louis, Western Michigan University
Interviews: IU, Boston University
Acceptances: IU, Tufts
Waitlists:
Rejections:

I'm so amazed that some of you have already had several interviews and gotten acceptances! It seems so early for that, but maybe my programs are just on different timelines?

 

[OT_anthro]

How long does the verification process take

I submitted my first application on 9/1 and it was verified within 48 hours, but I had already had my LORs, GRE scores, and transcripts in for about two weeks at that point and was just finalizing my personal info. From what I've read, the longer you wait (the closer to December, when many schools have deadlines), the longer it takes to verify because the queue builds up.

As an aside, since I've not seen anyone mention this: once your application is verified once by OTCAS, it will be verified for the rest of your submissions as long as you don't change your transcripts or anything like that. I waited awhile to chat with someone on the OTCAS site and she confirmed this--if you've already been verified once, you can submit your application to another program at a later date and it will switch from "received" to "verified" within 24 hours! No more stressing about getting every application in 3-4 weeks before once you've done your first!

 

[BB77]

Hi everyone!

Applied: MCPHS (8/22), USC (10/17), SJSU (9/09), Midwestern-Glendale (8/22), Boston University (8/25), & UIC (10/24). (*dates are submission on OTCAS; verified within a few days. I already had LOR, transcripts etc. uploaded and complete)

Interviews: Midwestern (10/12), USC (12/21 phase 2; *declined*)
Acceptances: MCPHS (9/17), Midwestern (11/12), SJSU (12/2)
Waitlists:
Rejections: BU (12/7)

SJSU is my #1 choice so I’m thrilled! I will be accepting their offer

 

[BB77]

For those of who you applied and already heard back, what date did you apply? These acceptances are so quick.

I applied to MCPHS and Midwestern-Glendale on August 22nd. I heard back from MCPHS with an acceptance exactly 3 weeks later and invitied to interview 3.5 weeks later for Midwestern.

 

[rnd817]

Applied: TTU, TWU, UTMB
Interviews: TTU, TWU, UTMB
Acceptances: TTU
Rejections:
Waitlists:

 

[theOTguide]

Applied: TTU, TWU, UTMB
Interviews: TTU
Acceptances:
Rejections:
Waitlists:

Do you mind sharing your stats and telling me when you submitted your application?

 

[Robinhoodfuture OT]

Applied: TJU, Tufts, MGHIHP, Chatham University, Ohio State University, USA-St.Augustine MOT, Quinnipiac University, Salus University, James Madison University, Clarkson University, Wesley College
Interviews: USA-St.Augustine MOT (9/17) & Clarkson University (10/14)
Acceptances: USA-St.Augustine MOT(9/28) & Clarkson University (10/15)
Waitlists:
Rejections:

Hey I have a Phone interview at Clarkson university this Friday. How long is the interview process? any tips for interview. this is my first OTR interview, so I am nervous. Do you mind sharing questions ask on interview. thanks in advance

 

[PositivOT]

Hey I have a Phone interview at Clarkson university this Friday. How long is the interview process? any tips for interview. this is my first OTR interview, so I am nervous. Do you mind sharing questions ask on interview. thanks in advance

Hi! Honestly it was a very laid-back interview. Just know your basic reasons for why you're entering the OT profession and maybe review your application experiences in case they ask about that. Mine didn't last the full hour and I actually really enjoyed it over all! Good luck!

 

[futureOT017]

Applied: St. Ambrose University, Drake University, Creighton University, Marquette University, St. Catherine University
Interviews: Creighton (9/18), Drake (10/9), St. Ambrose (10/16)
Acceptances: Creighton (10/6) Drake (10/16), St. Ambrose (10/19)
Waitlists:
Rejections:

Hi! I just got offered an interview at St ambrose!! Do you have any insight about the process or any tips? Congrats on getting accepted!! Have you accepted any yet?

 

[Robinhoodfuture OT]

Hi! Honestly it was a very laid-back interview. Just know your basic reasons for why you're entering the OT profession and maybe review your application experiences in case they ask about that. Mine didn't last the full hour and I actually really enjoyed it over all! Good luck!

Thanks! Do you know when did you find out that you accepted for program?

 

[PositivOT]

Thanks! Do you know when did you find out that you accepted for program?

I found out that I was accepted the very next morning!

 

[future OTD 2024]

Hi! I just got offered an interview at St ambrose!! Do you have any insight about the process or any tips? Congrats on getting accepted!! Have you accepted any yet?

That's incredible! Congratulations to you!! I really enjoyed my interview at St. Ambrose! The faculty and student I met with were extremely nice and made me feel comfortable right away. The interview itself was with two faculty members, and it lasted about 30 minutes, but it went by so quickly. Then I talked with a current student for 20-25 minutes. The interview itself very conversational which made the entire process less intimating and gave me a better understanding of the program in general. They emphasized at the beginning that they just wanted to get to know who I am better. I know it sounds so cliche, but just be yourself and do not be nervous! I know you will do great! When is your interview?

I have not decided yet on where I am going to accept! I am doing campus visits to each of the schools this week in hopes of gaining a better feel for each school. They are all such wonderful programs, so it will be a difficult decision to make!

 

[futureOT017]

That's incredible! Congratulations to you!! I really enjoyed my interview at St. Ambrose! The faculty and student I met with were extremely nice and made me feel comfortable right away. The interview itself was with two faculty members, and it lasted about 30 minutes, but it went by so quickly. Then I talked with a current student for 20-25 minutes. The interview itself very conversational which made the entire process less intimating and gave me a better understanding of the program in general. They emphasized at the beginning that they just wanted to get to know who I am better. I know it sounds so cliche, but just be yourself and do not be nervous! I know you will do great! When is your interview?

I have not decided yet on where I am going to accept! I am doing campus visits to each of the schools this week in hopes of gaining a better feel for each school. They are all such wonderful programs, so it will be a difficult decision to make!

I’m so glad that it went well! That’s really reassuring. How did you prepare for the article/ personal statement questions? Was it more like just summarize or? & definitely a difficult decision, they all have such good programs!! & my interview isn’t until December so I have a bit to prepare!

 

[future OTD 2024]

I’m so glad that it went well! That’s really reassuring. How did you prepare for the article/ personal statement questions? Was it more like just summarize or? & definitely a difficult decision, they all have such good programs!! & my interview isn’t until December so I have a bit to prepare!

To prepare, I read through the article quite a few times. I would recommend highlighting the important points or aspects that stood out to you. In the interview, they asked if I had received the opportunity to read the article and what my initial thoughts were. I was afraid they were going to question me on details, but they did not at all! Just be prepared to speak on what you thought was interesting and/or what you learned.
As for the personal statement, they did not ask specific questions related to what I had wrote. However you are provided the opportunity to elaborate on your personal statement based on explaining how you became interested in OT since that was the prompt in OTCAS. I used that question to explain more about my personal statement and why I came to recognize that OT was the field for me! Going into the interview, I thought they would ask specifics about what I had written, but that was not the case. It truly is an opportunity for them to get to know you better!

 

[futureOT017]

To prepare, I read through the article quite a few times. I would recommend highlighting the important points or aspects that stood out to you. In the interview, they asked if I had received the opportunity to read the article and what my initial thoughts were. I was afraid they were going to question me on details, but they did not at all! Just be prepared to speak on what you thought was interesting and/or what you learned.
As for the personal statement, they did not ask specific questions related to what I had wrote. However you are provided the opportunity to elaborate on your personal statement based on explaining how you became interested in OT since that was the prompt in OTCAS. I used that question to explain more about my personal statement and why I came to recognize that OT was the field for me! Going into the interview, I thought they would ask specifics about what I had written, but that was not the case. It truly is an opportunity for them to get to know you better!

Thank you so much for that insight. ALSO I just got an interview at Drake!! Any advice for that one? I feel so relieved that I can talk to someone about these things! Glad we are on the same boat. You are helping me out a ton!

 

[future OTD 2024]

Thank you so much for that insight. ALSO I just got an interview at Drake!! Any advice for that one? I feel so relieved that I can talk to someone about these things! Glad we are on the same boat. You are helping me out a ton!

Wow!! Congratulations! I really enjoyed that interview as well; it was very conversational! For that one, I would just prepare for questions that you would typically expect in an interview such as "Why OT?" and "Why Drake?" For me, there were four 10 minute interviews, and each one focused on a different topic (communication, values, etc.). I really enjoyed that one and had a lot of fun during the interview which feels weird to say! Is that one soon?

 

[futureOT017]

Wow!! Congratulations! I really enjoyed that interview as well; it was very conversational! For that one, I would just prepare for questions that you would typically expect in an interview such as "Why OT?" and "Why Drake?" For me, there were four 10 minute interviews, and each one focused on a different topic (communication, values, etc.). I really enjoyed that one and had a lot of fun during the interview which feels weird to say! Is that one soon?

Yes it's in two weeks! So I am very nervous ahh! Thank you! I definitely gotta just practice and do more research

 

[futureOT017]

Wow!! Congratulations! I really enjoyed that interview as well; it was very conversational! For that one, I would just prepare for questions that you would typically expect in an interview such as "Why OT?" and "Why Drake?" For me, there were four 10 minute interviews, and each one focused on a different topic (communication, values, etc.). I really enjoyed that one and had a lot of fun during the interview which feels weird to say! Is that one soon?

Oh also, was there still a writing sample for drake? I don’t know if they decided not to do that since it’s virtual.

 

[cl_ot]

Applied: Dominican, Samuel Merritt, West Coast LA, USAHS, Midwestern, AIC
Interviews: West Coast LA, Midwestern, St.Augustine, Samuel Merritt
Acceptances: AIC, USAHS (deferred)
Waitlists: West Coast LA, Midwestern, Samuel Merritt
Rejections:

 

[future OTD 2024]

Oh also, was there still a writing sample for drake? I don’t know if they decided not to do that since it’s virtual.

Nope! There was not a writing portion for mine!

 

[Robinhoodfuture OT]

Hi! Honestly it was a very laid-back interview. Just know your basic reasons for why you're entering the OT profession and maybe review your application experiences in case they ask about that. Mine didn't last the full hour and I actually really enjoyed it over all! Good luck!

I got accepted for Clarkson University, are you going to accept the offer?

 

[Robinhoodfuture OT]

Applied: Dominican, Samuel Merritt, West Coast LA, St.Augustine, Midwestern, AIC
Interviews: West Coast LA (10/30) and Midwestern (11/19)
Acceptances: AIC
Waitlists:
Rejections:

Congratulation. I also applied to West coast and they review my application but admission committee asking me to submit the observation hours which I did upon submitting application on OTCAS. After that no response from them. how was your interview? do they give option for video or phone interview? are they still made you write an essay?
thanks

 

[PositivOT]

I got accepted for Clarkson University, are you going to accept the offer?

Congratulations! I’m waiting a few weeks to hear back from some other schools but I really liked the program! How about you?

 

[cl_ot]

Congratulation. I also applied to West coast and they review my application but admission committee asking me to submit the observation hours which I did upon submitting application on OTCAS. After that no response from them. how was your interview? do they give option for video or phone interview? are they still made you write an essay?
thanks

Hey! Thank you Keep emailing them about verifying those hours. My interview is this Friday Oct 30! They only offered a Zoom interview and I heard from another applicant they make you write a 30 minute essay after the interview.

 

[futureot198]

Applied: Belmont, MUSC, USC, USciences, NYU, Columbia, Salus
Interviews: Belmont (10/30), Salus (11/12)
Acceptances: Belmont, Salus
Waitlists:
Rejections: USciences

 

[ot-school-hopeful]

Has anyone else had to do a video assessment for their application?

 

[futureot28]

Has anyone else had to do a video assessment for their application?

I had to do one for Nova Southeastern!

 

[futureOT_2021]

I had to do one for Nova Southeastern!

Hi! How long after you submitted your application to Nova did they reach out for you to complete the video portion?!

 

[futureot28]

Hi! How long after you submitted your application to Nova did they reach out for you to complete the video portion?!

I submitted the supplemental application on September 18th and they reached out on October 1st! Then I had 5 days to submit the video!

 

[mabOT]

Has anyone heard from Midwestern (AZ) yet? I had an interview with them 9/24 and still have heard nothing even though they said we would hear back in a month. I haven’t heard of anyone getting in yet, but starting to get nervous... Any updates?

 

[mabOT]

Hi everyone!

Applied: MCPHS (8/22), USC (10/17), SJSU (9/09), Midwestern-Glendale (8/22), Boston University (8/25), and will be finishing the UIC app soon. (*dates are submission on OTCAS; verified within a few days. I already had LOR, transcripts etc. uploaded and complete)
Interviews: Midwestern (10/12)
Acceptances: MCPHS (9/17)
Waitlists:
Rejections:

Have you heard anything from Midwestern yet, or did they mention anything in your interview? I hope it went well!!

 

[cl_ot]

Has anyone heard from Midwestern (AZ) yet? I had an interview with them 9/24 and still have heard nothing even though they said we would hear back in a month. I haven’t heard of anyone getting in yet, but starting to get nervous... Any updates?

I don't think you should be nervous! They're rolling admissions so they're probably always swamped with applications. You'll be alright!! My interview with them is Nov 19. If you had any tips.. that would be amazing. Was there a writing portion?

Thanks.

 

[mabOT]

I don't think you should be nervous! They're rolling admissions so they're probably always swamped with applications. You'll be alright!! My interview with them is Nov 19. If you had any tips.. that would be amazing. Was there a writing portion?

Thanks.

There was no writing portion. You essentially log onto Zoom at the start of the session and you wait in the main room until your interview time slot. The interview was really nice and it was more like a conversation than questions. Just be confident in what you know and you should be fine! You’ll also get a chance to talk to the director and then there will be a presentation on fieldwork afterwards.

 

[BB77]

Have you heard anything from Midwestern yet, or did they mention anything in your interview? I hope it went well!!

Hi! Thanks, I thought it went well No, I haven’t heard anything! They told us we (applicants for that day) will find out the first week of November so I’ve been checking my email constantly haha

 

[mabOT]

hi! No, I haven’t heard anything! They told us (applicants for that day) will find out the first week of November so I’ve been checking my email constantly haha

Oooo that’s good to know! It’s definitely going to be this Friday then. In year’s past, it has always been on a Friday around noon. I heard you get an email and a phone call if you get accepted and a letter in the mail if you don’t. But it may be different this year!

 

[otappmsu]

Applied: Belmont, MUSC, USC, USciences, NYU, Columbia, Salus
Interviews: Belmont (10/30), Salus (11/12)
Acceptances:
Waitlists:
Rejections:

Hi! I attended the Belmont interview on 10/30. How did you think it went? Have you heard back? Good luck!

 

[BB77]

Oooo that’s good to know! It’s definitely going to be this Friday then. In year’s past, it has always been on a Friday around noon. I heard you get an email and a phone call if you get accepted and a letter in the mail if you don’t. But it may be different this year!

Ahhh thanks for the heads up!

 

[futureot198]

Hi! I attended the Belmont interview on 10/30. How did you think it went? Have you heard back? Good luck!

hi!!! I actually felt really good coming out of it! my interviews felt more like conversations and everyone was so nice. It was also really nice to hear that they accept so many people off of the waitlist. I am definitely anxious awaiting decisions though! What did you think?

 

[otappmsu]

hi!!! I actually felt really good coming out of it! my interviews felt more like conversations and everyone was so nice. It was also really nice to hear that they accept so many people off of the waitlist. I am definitely anxious awaiting decisions though! What did you think?

I agree! The interviewers were so nice and very helpful, it didn't feel as intense as I thought it would. I was nervous that each interview was only 15 minutes, but it felt good. I loved the student panel portion of the day. I just wish I knew already what the decision was. Good luck with the admissions process!

 

[futureot198]

I agree! The interviewers were so nice and very helpful, it didn't feel as intense as I thought it would. I was nervous that each interview was only 15 minutes, but it felt good. I loved the student panel portion of the day. I just wish I knew already what the decision was. Good luck with the admissions process!

agreed! the 15 min was tough I do wish we would have had a bit more time. I'm hoping for decisions tomorrow but it is most likely going to be Friday I think. Good luck to you as well!

 

[mabOT]

Applied: Western New England (WNE), Midwestern-Glendale, Ohio State, Indiana University (IUPUI), Johnson & Wales, Western Michigan, MGH Institute, Toledo, Pacific, Springfield, MUSC
Interviews: Midwestern (10/24), IUPUI (11/2), Johnson and Wales (12/11), MGH Institute (11/16), Pacific (1/30 - declined)
Acceptances: WNE (10/14), Toledo (11/6), IUPUI (11/11), Johnson and Wales (12/16), MGH Institute (12/16)
Waitlists: Midwestern (Alternate), MUSC (Interview)
Rejections:

 

[futureot198]

I agree! The interviewers were so nice and very helpful, it didn't feel as intense as I thought it would. I was nervous that each interview was only 15 minutes, but it felt good. I loved the student panel portion of the day. I just wish I knew already what the decision was. Good luck with the admissions process!

I just got accepted to Belmont!! check your email!!

 

[mabOT]

Ahhh thanks for the heads up!

Have you heard anything today yet from Midwestern? Best of luck!

 

[BB77]

Have you heard anything today yet from Midwestern? Best of luck!

No, nothing! Makes me think I didn’t get in and that I’ll be getting a rejection in the mail I saw you interviewed a few weeks before me, any news on your end?

 

[mabOT]

No, nothing! Makes me think I didn’t get in and that I’ll be getting a rejection in the mail I saw you interviewed a few weeks before me, any news on your end?

Nothing for me either Makes me think that maybe they haven’t sent anything out yet because I feel like I should’ve heard one way or another by now. I’m thinking about emailing on Monday because I have another school’s deposit due on Wednesday so I can let you know what they say if they get back to me!

 

[BB77]

Nothing for me either Makes me think that maybe they haven’t sent anything out yet because I feel like I should’ve heard one way or another by now. I’m thinking about emailing on Monday because I have another school’s deposit due on Wednesday so I can let you know what they say if they get back to me!

Oh man! Yeah I agree then if you haven’t heard anything either. That would be great, thank you

 

[hopefulOT15]

Hi! I have my interview with Salus later this week. Do you have any tips? How was the open-file vs. closed file nature of the interviews?

Applied: Salus University, University of Florida, Elmhurst College, Indiana State University, University of New England
Interviews: Salus University (9/24)
Acceptances: Salus University (9/28)
Waitlists:
Rejections:

 

[hopefulOT15]

Applied: TJU, Salus, Temple, USciences, Gwynedd Mercy
Interviews: Salus (9/18), TJU (10/26), Temple (11/5)
Acceptances: Salus (9/28)
Waitlists: TJU (11/6)
Rejections:

I find these threads really helpful so I'm glad this was made! I'm surprised to see how many people are applying to Salus, even those outside of PA, since I was under the impression it wasn't very well known - but it makes me glad because it seems like a really good school that deserves more recognition!

Congrats on your acceptance! I have my interview with Salus later this week. Do you have any tips? How was the open-file vs. closed-file?

 

[mabOT]

Oh man! Yeah I agree then if you haven’t heard anything either. That would be great, thank you

I emailed the administrative assistant, Emily, yesterday and she never got back to me. It’s kind of strange because every time I’ve emailed her, she has responded in less than an hour. But hopefully she gets back to me today and I will let you know!