Observation hours- OT’s can work in a variety of settings! When observing, aim to narrow down the settings that you find most interesting. In order to do this, observe as wide of a variety of settings possible, and observe at the one you enjoy the most long-term. Most institutions do not require a certain number of observation hours, they are looking for a well-rounded, varied observation experience.
Tips for Observing:
Grad School- Both Master’s of Occupational Therapy (MSOT) and Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degrees are acceptable in the current workplace, however a shift is occurring towards OTD being the preferred level of education of an OT. MSOT programs are generally 2 years long, and OTD programs are generally 3 years. Both programs contain clinical elements but OTD programs emphasize these more.
Application process through OTCAS
The American Occupation Therapy Association provides OTCAS, Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service. OTCAS is a centralized application service for OT graduate programs. You can think of it as the equivalent of the Common App for undergraduate programs! Essentially, you fill out one standardized application plus any additional elements that specific schools require. The application has places to enter your classes, observation hours, letters of recommendation and more.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation will be sent directly to OTCAS. MUSC prefers two letters of recommendation from professors and one from an occupational therapist. It is vital to build solid relationships with your professors, healthcare professionals, and employers. Keep in mind that it is important to gather your letters of recommendation in advance, do not wait until you start your application. You want give the individual you choose to recommend you plenty of time to write a strong letter that reveals your best qualities as a future OT. Letters of recommendation play an influential role in your acceptance so be sure to prioritize properly. Some of your classes here at Clemson may be large, and finding one on one time with your professors may become a challenge so I encourage all to utilize your resources and attend your professor’s office hours.
Interview
Prospective OT students can come into an interview with an immaculate GPA and resume, but lose all chances of acceptance if they bomb their interview. The interview is placed into the application process to ensure the individual is an appropriate candidate. The admissions council wants to make sure they are bringing someone into the program who is educated in occupational health care. The interview also allows the council to witness first hand how well the applicant communicates. Communication is vital in the medical field, therefore it is very important to prepare for the interview portion of the application. Practice interview questions can be found on the web and mock interviews are available to students right here on campus.
Tips for Observing:
- Take notes! OT’s who work with young children or those with intellectual disabilities will likely be able to talk you through what they are doing during sessions. Otherwise, the OT will likely debrief you after a session to prevent embarrassing the patient by talking about their personal information in front of them.
- Write down unfamiliar vocabulary
- Take note of which activities/exercises are used to work on certain skills
- If you observe long-term and see the same patients, take note of the progress they make
- Use your notes to type summaries of your observation experiences.
- It is okay if you are not familiar with all of the technical terms you hear, but try to incorporate these terms more and more as you gain more hours.
- Ask questions, but do so at appropriate times. Many patients who require OT have disabilities or are young children who are easily distractible or may have parents in the room.
Grad School- Both Master’s of Occupational Therapy (MSOT) and Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degrees are acceptable in the current workplace, however a shift is occurring towards OTD being the preferred level of education of an OT. MSOT programs are generally 2 years long, and OTD programs are generally 3 years. Both programs contain clinical elements but OTD programs emphasize these more.
Application process through OTCAS
The American Occupation Therapy Association provides OTCAS, Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service. OTCAS is a centralized application service for OT graduate programs. You can think of it as the equivalent of the Common App for undergraduate programs! Essentially, you fill out one standardized application plus any additional elements that specific schools require. The application has places to enter your classes, observation hours, letters of recommendation and more.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation will be sent directly to OTCAS. MUSC prefers two letters of recommendation from professors and one from an occupational therapist. It is vital to build solid relationships with your professors, healthcare professionals, and employers. Keep in mind that it is important to gather your letters of recommendation in advance, do not wait until you start your application. You want give the individual you choose to recommend you plenty of time to write a strong letter that reveals your best qualities as a future OT. Letters of recommendation play an influential role in your acceptance so be sure to prioritize properly. Some of your classes here at Clemson may be large, and finding one on one time with your professors may become a challenge so I encourage all to utilize your resources and attend your professor’s office hours.
Interview
Prospective OT students can come into an interview with an immaculate GPA and resume, but lose all chances of acceptance if they bomb their interview. The interview is placed into the application process to ensure the individual is an appropriate candidate. The admissions council wants to make sure they are bringing someone into the program who is educated in occupational health care. The interview also allows the council to witness first hand how well the applicant communicates. Communication is vital in the medical field, therefore it is very important to prepare for the interview portion of the application. Practice interview questions can be found on the web and mock interviews are available to students right here on campus.
