Selection Criteria
The committee considers several criteria when reviewing applications for admission. Included below are the criteria considered and some suggestions to consider when completing your application. Feel free to contact the Occupational Therapy Program at otprogram@uwlax.edu with questions you may have regarding your application.
The committee will consider the following criteria when reviewing applications for admission:
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Cumulative GPA
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Calculation includes all college level coursework.
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Prerequisite GPA
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Calculation includes performance in the program's required prereq courses.
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Personal Characteristics
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Review of narratives, resume and references.
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GPA:
It is recommended that students make academic success a priority. The minimum GPA for admission into the Occupational Therapy Program is 3.00. A high GPA is reflective of a strong application. Particular emphasis on prerequisite and science coursework is suggested as the program considers academic performance in these courses in addition to cumulative GPA.
Make sure that all of your prerequisite coursework will be completed by the end of the spring semester of the application year. Clearly document within the application how you have met or will meet the prerequisites. Equivalent courses for many Wisconsin and Minnesota are listed in tables posted in the Prereq portion of this website. If you are still unsure if a course you have taken or plan to take will meet our prerequisite requirement, please contact the Occupational Therapy Program at otprogram@uwlax.edu. Prerequisite coursework taken from institutions other than UW-L may require a review by the Admissions Coordinator to determine the acceptability of the coursework to meet the content requirements of the prerequisites courses.
Personal Characteristics:
The following items will be reviewed:
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Narrative portion of the program application
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Personal Potential Index - References
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Resume
When preparing these items applicants should emphasize the following characteristics:
- Knowledge and Creativity
Demonstrates a broad understanding of occupational therapy and is curious about the field. Individual is intelligent and displays creativity. - Communication Skills
Writes in a clear, organized and logical manner with precision and style that is also interesting and well organized. - Teamwork
Demonstrates the ability to work well in group settings in a way that is friendly and supports the efforts of others. Provide constructive feedback to team members in a helpful manner. - Resilience
Demonstrates the ability to work extremely hard and under stressful conditions. Overcomes challenges and setbacks. Accepts feedback without getting defensive. - Planning and Organization
Demonstrates the ability to organize work and time effectively while meeting deadlines. Sets realistic goals and makes plans to accomplish them. - Ethics and Integrity
Demonstrates sincerity, honesty, is trustworthy and maintains high ethical standards.
Job Shadow:
A minimum of 20 hours of job shadowing of an occupational therapist is required. Hours may be either volunteer or work experiences but must include direct observation of an occupational therapist, not a certified occupational therapist assistant (COTA). Admission committee members do not necessarily award additional points for additional job shadowing hours; however the admissions committee does consider the quality of job shadowing experiences. It is recommended applicants consider spending time in a variety of settings so they develop a comprehensive understanding of the occupational therapy profession.
Exceptional Achievement:
Please include your resume in your mailing. Items you may want to note in your resume include: awards, collegiate extracurricular participation, honors, scholarships, study abroad experiences, volunteering, work experiences, etc.