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Why do occupational therapy master programs require volunteering as part of the admission process?
Is it to make sure candidates are more likely to stay in the program?
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Taylor’s Answer
Hi Caroline! I am a pediatric occupational therapist. It is to get a sense of who you are as a person, what you value etc. It is important to be mindful that programs want to know what you can also offer to them. Whether that be a broad range of knowledge, experience. etc. For example, I volunteered to work with children in foster care and the program I attended seemed to value that/demonstrate interest. Good luck!
Kaitlyn Corey
Occupational Therapy Assistant/Occupational Therapy Student
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Kaitlyn’s Answer
Most occupational therapy programs require volunteering because it helps you understand what the field is really like. It gives you a chance to see the day-to-day work and decide if it fits your interests and strengths. Volunteering also shows schools that you have taken time to explore the profession and are serious about your choice. It is not only about making sure students stay in the program, but more about making sure applicants know what they are signing up for. OT can look very different across settings, and hands-on experience helps you see that. It also gives you examples to talk about in interviews and essays, which can make your application stronger.
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Ian’s Answer
It doesn't happen often, but there are occasions when a student chooses a field in healthcare and then does not thrive because it was not what they had imagined. In addition, schools are sensitive to metrics of students who drop out or transition to other programs after acceptance.
I agree with this comment. You were on the right track with your reasoning Caroline. It is to ensure that the student has had exposure to the field and knows they want to go forward. As a graduate program they often don’t want students who are just testing the waters, but are looking for students to graduate and pass the boards, ultimately making the schools statistics rise.
Megan Borghetti