Occupational Therapy (OT)

Sample 4 Year Plan

    • Declare your major. Identify yourself as a pre-health profession student on the major declaration form
    • Make an appointment/get to know your advisors. Discuss your academic game plan. Check in regularly to discuss your academic progress
    • Begin taking your basic science courses. Take general education and intro science courses
    • Join a student organization (Occupational and Physical Therapy Alliance (OPTA))
    • Explore interest in OT: Start OT Observing/Shadowing
    • Continue with your sequence of courses. Begin prerequisites; take Intro to Psych, A&P
    • Stay involved in extracurricular activities (shadowing, service, volunteering). Consider leadership positions in these groups.
    • Visit your professors during office hours (You will need letters of recommendation).
    • Visit Health Professions Advising to begin assessing competitiveness.
    • Identify the OT programs that you want to apply to.
    • Finish most prerequisites; gain shadowing hours; build relationships for LORs
    • Talk to your advisor about competitiveness
    • Register for the GRE (Fall). Don't miss the deadlines!
    • Study and take the GRE (Spring/Summer)
    • Identify three to four individuals to write letters of recommendation (Spring)
    • Complete and submit your application to OTCAS (Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service) (Spring/Summer)
    • Continue engaging in activities

    Summer Before Senior:

    • Finalize shadowing; take GRE (if needed); draft personal statement

    Senior:

    • Apply via OTCAS (typically opens in July); attend interviews; complete degree
    • Meet with your advisor
    • Get a degree audit, and apply for graduation
    • Ensure your application materials are organized and submitted within the deadlines (earlier is always better)
    • Prepare for interviews (if applicable)
    • Explore sources for financial aid
    • Send updated transcripts directly to the schools to which you applied (Spring)
    • Discuss alternative plans with your advisor if necessary
    • Finish your degree requirements and graduate