You are encouraged to meet with a pre-health advisor at least once a semester to discuss options for careers in medicine, opportunities to gain relevant experience, discussing the best time to apply, preparation for the GRE, the OTCAS application, and much more. For more information, schedule an appointment with your advisor.
Due to a growing demand for Occupation Therapy Doctorates, most OT programs will offer the Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) degree. Completion of the OTD degree takes approximately 3 years to complete.
Overview
Explore Arizona and national health professional school prerequisites, admission requirements, and class profiles
While maintaining a high GPA, look into opportunities for volunteer experience and continue to gain shadowing and observation hours with a licensed OTD.
Build relationships with professors and licensed Occupational Therapists as they may become letter writers.
Attend pre-health meetings and events.
Begin to look into preparing for the GRE (Studying and Registration).
Continue to meet with your pre-health advisor at least once a semester.
OTCAS GPA FAQ's OTCAS calculates 14 GPA’s for every complete application received. The OTCAS includes all U.S. and Canadian college courses with grades and credit hours at all regionally accredited institutions, including repeated courses.
Maintain a high GPA and stay involved with campus clubs/ organizations, volunteer opportunities, and clinical experience.
Begin an internship and start prepping for the GRE (take the GRE by spring of Junior year).
Apply through OTCAS one year prior to when you plan to matriculate.
Continue to meet with your pre-health advisor.
Timeline
January
Calculate your science and overall GPA to determine your competitiveness.
February-March
Begin collecting letters of recommendation.
April
Take the GRE no later than April.
May-June
Work on creating a final draft of your personal statement.
July
OTCAS will open for submission. Make sure you submit your application as soon as possible.
August-February
OT programs may request students to complete supplemental applications. It is important that you complete these in a timely manner and are aware of program specific deadlines and requirements.
Do not make your personal statement program specific as it will be sent to each program that you apply to through OTCAS. Review of personal statement offered by Pre-Health Office.
Letters of recommendation (LOR)
Identify people who know you well and can firmly comment on your ability as a medical student and future physician.
OTCAS will only allow references to submit their evaluations electronically through OTCAS.
Applicants are required to enter three references.
Pre-health advising