Pre-Occupational Therapy Timeline

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Pre-Occupational Therapy Timeline

(prepared by the SLU Health Careers Committee (HCC))

First Year

  1. Focus on academics- This is the time to establish strong study skills and habits that will enable you to excel in upper level courses. #PRE-HEALTH LEARNING

  2. Start shadowing- Get into the clinic or hospital and begin to shadow occupational therapists.  Use this opportunity to become sure that occupational therapy is the career for you.  Check out other health careers as well (PT, RN, NP, PA, MD, RDN, etc).  Occupational therapy programs want to know that you have a clear idea of the career you’re getting into- start gaining this understanding early and often.  #CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

  3. Choose activities wisely- Occupational therapy programs want to see that you care about people.  Get involved in organizations and activities that get you out into the community.  It doesn’t have to be a health-specific activity, just something that shows a drive to help others.  Start an activity now and carry it through the next four years.  #SHOW YOU CARE
  4. Meet with a pre-health advisor in the spring semester- Even if this person is not your major advisor, it’s good to establish a connection with someone who will help guide your academic and extracurricular decisions as you aim for occupational therapy school.  You should routinely evaluate your academics and activities, and an advisor helps you think realistically and objectively before making big decisions.  #PRE-HEALTH ADVICE
  5. Consider study abroad opportunities- Most students can fit in study abroad (typically during junior year) with careful planning and guidance from their advisors.  Most biology majors choose the programs in Kenya, New Zealand, and Australia, though other programs are certainly an option.  Even if you decide not to go abroad for a semester, consider these summer opportunities:  Health Care Delivery (Kenya), Extreme Physiology (Nepal), and Neuroscience of Fear (London). #EXPERIENCE THE WORLD
  6. As the year is ending, consider applying to be a TA for next year- As a TA or tutor, you will be tasked with communicating with and supporting students in their learning.  This is an excellent way to keep your knowledge of a particular topic fresh in your mind and will challenge you to communicate information in creative ways to help others understand.  And not to mention the great letter of recommendation you’ll get from the profs you work with…. #BE KNOWN
  7. Sign up for the SLU Health Careers Listserv to get all of the latest information.  Follow the instructions at: http://www.stlawu.edu/biology/health-careers-listserv-information  #BE IN THE KNOW

Sophomore Year

  1. Stay focused academically- You will encounter tough courses this year, so draw upon the skills you developed as a first-year student and learn new ways to study as you move into upper level courses.  #PRE-HEALTH STUDY
  2. Keep up with shadowing.  Most occupational therapy programs require a certain number of observation hours.  Identify 5-6 programs you plan to apply to and make note of their requirements for shadowing. Even after you achieve the required number of hours, you should continue to periodically shadow occupational therapists to demonstrate sustained interest in the field AND to observe different practice settings/fields.  (Identifying your target schools will also enable you to be sure you complete their unique pre-requisite courses.)  #MORE SHADOWING
  3. Keep up with extracurriculars- Be sure to make some time for the people-focused activities you started last year.  #CONTINUED CARE
  4. Consider research- An increasing number of students who get accepted to healthcare programs have research experience.  This includes projects in biology, chemistry, psychology, sociology and public health.  Talk to a professor whose course you liked or approach faculty whose projects sound interesting to you (read up on the department websites!) to find out what opportunities might be available to you.  Even if you don’t get involved as a sophomore, you can make plans to apply for a SLU Fellowship or external summer research programs.  Involvement in research shows that you’re interested in new ideas and continuing to learn. #ASK QUESTIONS
  5. Consider taking Health & Wellness Coaching course- This is an excellent opportunity to get patient experience.  The course is offered in the spring semester, and you will learn the foundational concepts for working with patients to achieve change.  You then have the opportunity to complete an internship working with a client in the community the following fall or to be a Peer Wellness Tutor on campus. #SLU HEALTH COACHES
  6. Meet with your pre-health advisor again in the spring- Be sure you’re still  #ON PRE-OT TRACK.
  7. Use your summer- This is a great time to do more shadowing or work/volunteer within the health care environment.  Even if you have another non-health related job, reserve some time to work on the clinical experience portion of your #PRE-OT PREP

Junior Year

  1. Academics, shadowing, extracurriculars- You get it by now, maintain your #PRE-OT FOCUS.
  2. Some Occupational Therapy master’s degree programs require applicants to take the GRE exam- Double-check the programs you plan to apply to in order to learn whether you will need a GRE score.  If it is required, make your plan for studying for and taking the exam. Take some scored, full-length practice exams during the spring semester.  Don’t wait until the last minute to “pre-test” yourself, in case you need to study more to improve your score.  The OTCAS centralized application service allows students to begin submitting materials in July, so aim to get your application in right away.  This means that you should begin studying for the GRE during your winter break and take the exam during the late spring semester of junior year. #GRE PREP
  3. Before Thanksgiving break, attend the HCC informational meeting- Learn about how to prepare for your HCC interview in the spring semester.  Complete the form stating the list of faculty you would like recommendations from and turn it in to the biology department secretary ASAP, so your recommenders get an online link for their comments.  Stop by their offices and make your request of faculty members now, so they have plenty of time to complete the forms in a non-hurried manner. #HCC INTERVIEW PREP
  4. Over winter break, complete your HCC Interview paperwork- In order to best represent yourself, you will need to complete these forms in a thoughtful manner.  Waiting to work on this until when you get back to campus for the spring semester is not the best idea, since you’ll be busy with new classes.  Spend time on your personal statement in particular.  #SELF-REFLECTION
  5. Complete a HCC Interview in February/March- Be prepared to discuss your submitted interview materials.  You will meet with the HCC chairperson after your interview to gain feedback. #HCC FEEDBACK
  6. Consider applying for a SLU Fellowship to perform summer research with a faculty mentor. Start planning this in the fall semester. #SLU SCHOLAR
  7. Finish your applications.  Submitting your application materials as soon as the OTCAS system opens gives you the best chance of getting interviews.  Don’t wait until the last minute to give yourself the best chance!  #APPS COMPLETE

Senior Year

  1. Don’t slow down before reaching the finish line- Continue to challenge yourself academically and don’t ease up on your dedication to courses. #LIMIT SENIORITIS
  2. Stick to the plan that’s gotten you here- Don’t give up your people-focused community activities.  Taking time to help others helps to keep your life in perspective. #MAKE A DIFFERENCE
  3. When you begin to submit your applications, take a moment to consider your online presence.  “Google” your name to be sure that no concerning content appears.  Change your Facebook and other social media accounts to “private” and verify that all publicly viewable information and profile pictures are appropriate.  Graduate schools will look at these media sources when considering your application.  Be sure that any media or online resources linked to you provide a positive, professional impression of who you are. #PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE
  4. Go to interviews- Research the schools at which you will be interviewing- become familiar with their curriculum and the unique aspects of their program.  Have specific questions to ask if given the opportunity.  #OT SCHOOL OPTIONS