5 answers
Eve
Student
Fargo, North Dakota
1
Question
Asked
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If I hope to become an Occupational Therapist, is it worth paying for a top school in my undergrad, or should I keep my debt low before grad school? #fall25
I am a high school senior planning to major in psychology before attending Occupational Therapy school. When choosing a college for my undergraduate degree, is it more important that I attend a school with the strongest reputation and research opportunities in psychology, or one where I can graduate with the least amount of debt before entering OT school?#fall25
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5 answers
Priscilla Hung
UX Designer & Occupational Therapist
4
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Priscilla’s Answer
I echo what the 2 previous answers shared, especially in that:
- "You don't need to attend a "top" psychology school; instead, you just need to do well where you are." (from Chinyere's response)
- Go to school "in a place that you feel good going to." (from Hadley's response)
Consider the factors that you think will be supportive to your needs and preferences from an educational perspective, and in other aspects too! You're going to college for an education, and school will take up a big part of your life. But, how you spend your time outside of direct learning can really enhance your education too - maybe it's clubs that give you an outlet to de-stress, maybe it's other activities or extracurriculars that interest in and give you a chance to meet people who can be support network, maybe it's a psychology department that offers classes on specific topics that you're really interested in. Maybe it's class size. Or, something else! Hopefully that helps a bit to figure out what qualities about a school will help you do well, and what contributes to a place that you feel good going to.
Good luck!
- "You don't need to attend a "top" psychology school; instead, you just need to do well where you are." (from Chinyere's response)
- Go to school "in a place that you feel good going to." (from Hadley's response)
Consider the factors that you think will be supportive to your needs and preferences from an educational perspective, and in other aspects too! You're going to college for an education, and school will take up a big part of your life. But, how you spend your time outside of direct learning can really enhance your education too - maybe it's clubs that give you an outlet to de-stress, maybe it's other activities or extracurriculars that interest in and give you a chance to meet people who can be support network, maybe it's a psychology department that offers classes on specific topics that you're really interested in. Maybe it's class size. Or, something else! Hopefully that helps a bit to figure out what qualities about a school will help you do well, and what contributes to a place that you feel good going to.
Good luck!
Jessica Lago
COTA
60
Answers
Bloomfield, New Jersey
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
I recommend trying to keep your debt as low as possible overall. You do not need to attend a top school for your Bachelors and even for your Masters or Doctorate.. At the end of the day, just make sure you are going to an accredited program and you'll be eligible to sit for your boards, regardless of the school you choose. Best of luck!!
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1220
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Eve,
This is a pretty intelligent question, and to be honest, it's the perfect one to ask at this point. It shows that you are considering sustainability, money, and long-term professional fulfillment in addition to admissions.
The strategic goal for students pursuing occupational therapy is often to graduate from college with the least amount of debt possible. The status of your undergraduate college is not as important to OT programs as your GPA, fulfillment of prerequisites, observation/shadowing hours, personal statement, and reference letters. To put it another way, to be a competitive OT applicant, you don't need to attend a "top" psychology school; instead, you just need to do well where you are.
Opportunities for research can be beneficial, but the important distinction is that, unlike PhD or research-heavy psychology programs, research is not a fundamental prerequisite for OT school. People-centered experiences, clinical exposure, and a solid understanding of the OT role are far more important. Regardless of how highly regarded your undergraduate institution is, you can get those through hospitals, rehab centers, schools, community activities, and volunteer work.
See undergrad as your foundation era when it comes to financial and career planning. You can have more flexibility while OT school, reduce stress, and safeguard your long-term earning potential once you're licensed if you graduate with low or manageable debt. Although occupational therapy (OT) is a steady and fulfilling career, taking on significant debt early on usually doesn't pay off later.
In summary, pick a school where you can succeed intellectually, economically, and holistically. You will be on par with, if not more so than, students from expensive "top" programs if you can maintain a good GPA, fulfill prerequisites, acquire relevant experience, and safeguard your financial stability.
You already have the practical, intentional, and forward-thinking mindset of a future doctor. That kind of thinking will benefit you greatly.
Best wishes!
This is a pretty intelligent question, and to be honest, it's the perfect one to ask at this point. It shows that you are considering sustainability, money, and long-term professional fulfillment in addition to admissions.
The strategic goal for students pursuing occupational therapy is often to graduate from college with the least amount of debt possible. The status of your undergraduate college is not as important to OT programs as your GPA, fulfillment of prerequisites, observation/shadowing hours, personal statement, and reference letters. To put it another way, to be a competitive OT applicant, you don't need to attend a "top" psychology school; instead, you just need to do well where you are.
Opportunities for research can be beneficial, but the important distinction is that, unlike PhD or research-heavy psychology programs, research is not a fundamental prerequisite for OT school. People-centered experiences, clinical exposure, and a solid understanding of the OT role are far more important. Regardless of how highly regarded your undergraduate institution is, you can get those through hospitals, rehab centers, schools, community activities, and volunteer work.
See undergrad as your foundation era when it comes to financial and career planning. You can have more flexibility while OT school, reduce stress, and safeguard your long-term earning potential once you're licensed if you graduate with low or manageable debt. Although occupational therapy (OT) is a steady and fulfilling career, taking on significant debt early on usually doesn't pay off later.
In summary, pick a school where you can succeed intellectually, economically, and holistically. You will be on par with, if not more so than, students from expensive "top" programs if you can maintain a good GPA, fulfill prerequisites, acquire relevant experience, and safeguard your financial stability.
You already have the practical, intentional, and forward-thinking mindset of a future doctor. That kind of thinking will benefit you greatly.
Best wishes!
Cherilyn Garner
Medical Office Practice Manager; Certified Medical Assistant (
36
Answers
Polkton, North Carolina
Updated
Cherilyn’s Answer
If your goal is to become an Occupational Therapist, my personal opinion is to save your money and keep your debt as low as possible for undergrad. OT school is where the real cost comes in, and employers typically don’t care where you went to college — they care that you’re qualified, licensed, and good at what you do. You can absolutely major in psychology at a more affordable school, do well, get the prerequisites you need, and then focus your money and energy on OT school. A “top school” name doesn’t give you an advantage in the OT world, but graduating with less debt definitely will.
Hadley Blankenship
Office Assistant
6
Answers
Knoxville, Tennessee
Updated
Hadley’s Answer
Hello, Eve!
To give it to you straight, I recommend going the money-saving route. OT school is where you will get more research opportunities already considering it's basically a master's degree. Plus, psychology research is usually only open to seniors or upper class-men. So, go to a school that is affordable for you, and is in a place that you feel good going to. I also recommend going on college tours and asking different questions you have about their psychology programs so that you're able to compare program benefits.
Best of luck!
To give it to you straight, I recommend going the money-saving route. OT school is where you will get more research opportunities already considering it's basically a master's degree. Plus, psychology research is usually only open to seniors or upper class-men. So, go to a school that is affordable for you, and is in a place that you feel good going to. I also recommend going on college tours and asking different questions you have about their psychology programs so that you're able to compare program benefits.
Best of luck!