How to Get Accepted Into Occupational Therapy Schools
Occupational therapists are medical professionals who work with individuals suffering from disabilities or injuries to help them learn to how to take care of themselves. To become an occupational therapist, you must complete a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at an accredited university.
- Contact each school and learn their requirements for admission. Meet with the academic advisor or other faculty member to discuss the application and admission process.
- Take the recommended prerequisites. Take prerequisites before enrolling in Occupational Therapy School. Prerequisites that must be completed include statistics, developmental psychology, physiology and anatomy.
- Complete a bachelor's degree. This usually takes four years to complete, but you may take longer if you take fewer classes and take more time obtaining your bachelor's degree to achive a higher GPA (grade point average).
- Obtain good references. Provide letters of recommendation that attest to your character and your ability to perform well academically in Occupational Therapist School. Include these letters with your application for admission to the school.
- Perform the required observation hours. Some Occupational Therapist Schools will require you to perform on-the-job observation of an occupational therapist before you can be accepted. Check the admission requirements of the school you are applying to.
- Write and submit a personal statement following the school's guidelines. You will be requested to explain your desire to become an occupational therapist and also what you can contribute to the occupational therapy field with your knowledge.
- Apply for admission once you have prepared all the materials requested. Make sure that you meet the application deadline for each school. Submit your application along with all supporting documents to the Occupation Therapist School.