Admissions

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The College of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy Program considers for admission those applicants who possess the academic and professional promise necessary for development as competent, caring members of the healthcare community. To select these candidates, a competitive admissions framework has been established. Within this competitive admissions framework, multiple criteria are used to select the most qualified candidates from an applicant pool that exceeds the number of seats available. Interested individuals are advised to complete their application as early as possible to ensure timely consideration.

The Midwestern University Occupational Therapy Program uses the Centralized Application Service for Occupational Therapy Schools (OTCAS) for students applying to the Program. All applicants to the Occupational Therapy Program are required to submit their applications to OTCAS (http://www.otcas.org) with all required materials by June 1, 2024. Please refer to the OTCAS website for instructions on submission of OTCAS application materials. The Occupational Therapy Program operates on a rolling admissions basis in which completed applications are reviewed throughout the admissions cycle to determine applicant eligibility for interviews. Interviews are typically conducted during the winter and spring quarters. Admissions decisions are generally made within one month of the interview.

Admission Requirements

Individuals applying for admission to the College of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy Program must submit documentation for the following minimum requirements before the academic year commences for the incoming class: 

  1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  2. A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Grades of C or better for prerequisite coursework; grades of C- are not acceptable.
  3. Completion of the minimum number of prerequisite courses in the prescribed subject areas at regionally accredited colleges or universities.
  4. Satisfaction of the standards set forth by the Admissions Committee (including documentation of academic and professional promise in prospective students).
  5. Completion of the Occupational Therapy Program's interview process. On-campus interviews are by invitation only. Applicants are invited to an interview based on evidence supportive of excellence in:
    • Academic achievement
    • Oral and written communication skills
    • Articulation of the domain and scope of OT practice
    • Community service
    • Leadership in extracurricular or other activities
  6. Completion of a first aid course within the three years prior to enrollment.
  7. Current certification by the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers.
  8. Demonstration of a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
  9. Motivation for and commitment to healthcare as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
  10. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with clients and colleagues.
  11. Commitment to abide by Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
  12. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.

Prerequisite Courses* 

Students must complete these courses with a grade of C or better; grades of C- are not acceptable: 

Course Sem/Hrs
Human Anatomy1, 2  3 Sem/4 Qtr hrs 
Physiology1  3 Sem/4 Qtr hrs 
Statistics 3 Sem/4 Qtr hrs 
Lifespan Development  3 Sem/4 Qtr hrs 
Abnormal Psychology  3 Sem/4 Qtr hrs 
Other Social and Behavioral Science  3 Sem/4 Qtr hrs 

1The Anatomy and Physiology requirements may also be fulfilled by taking Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II, as some universities offer combined courses.

2Human Anatomy must be completed successfully within 5 years of admission to the Program. The lab component with cadaver experience is strongly recommended.

A course in child development, and a course in the sociology or psychology of aging, are highly recommended. Additional courses in the sciences and mathematics are recommended, including chemistry, physiology, physics, and biology. General education electives are also recommended to demonstrate competency in English composition, oral communication, problem-solving behavior, logic, and ethical theories.

*The Midwestern University OTD Program will not accept Advanced Placement credits for fulfilment of prerequisite coursework.

*Upon admission to the Midwestern University OTD Program, students must complete all coursework through the OTD Program.  The Midwestern University OTD Program does not allow for transfer of credits, nor does it award credits for experiential learning or previous educational or work experience.

Application Process and Deadlines

To be considered for admission to the Occupational Therapy Program, applicants must submit the following to the Office of Admissions: 

  1. OTCAS Application
    Applicants are required to submit their applications to OTCAS at https://otcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login by June 1, 2024. Please refer to the OTCAS application instructions for specific details about completing the application, required documents, and processing time. The OTCAS application should be available for applicants beginning in Summer 2023. Due to the large number of applications and the limited number of seats available, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their OTCAS application early in the cycle. 
  2. Letters of Recommendation
    Applicants are required to submit a minimum of two letters of recommendation from professionals to OTCAS. The Office of Admissions will only accept letters of recommendation received directly from OTCAS. It is preferred that one of the submitted letters is written by an occupational therapist who has supervised or mentored the applicant or a professional who can speak to the applicant's motivation, experiences in occupational therapy, or readiness for entering the Occupational Therapy Program. The second letter can be written by either a college professor who actually taught the student or a pre-health advisor who knows the applicant well. The applicant should refer to the OTCAS application instructions for specific guidelines and requirements for submitting letters of recommendation.
  3. Completed Applications
    The Office of Admissions will send letters verifying receipt of OTCAS applications with all required materials to all applications who meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 3.00. The letters will also include instructions on checking the status of the required application materials online. Applicants are responsible for tracking the receipt of their application materials and ensuring the submission of all required documents. Only applicants who submit completed applications with all required application materials will be considered for potential entrance into the Program.

Please note: Applicants are responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions of any changes in their mailing address or email address. All application withdrawal requests must be made in writing via e-mail, fax, or letter to:

Midwestern University 
Office of Admissions 
555 31st St. Downers Grove, IL 60515 
Fax: 630/971-6086 
admissil@midwestern.edu 

Interview and Selection Process

Students selected for an interview will be notified of available interview dates and invited by the Office of Admissions to schedule their on-campus interview. A typical interview day involves participation in the following activities, which are coordinated by the Office of Admissions: an interview with two occupational therapy faculty interviewers, lunch with current Midwestern University occupational therapy students, a campus tour, and an opportunity to meet with counselors from the admissions office and the financial aid office.

During each interview session, the interviewers question the applicant about their academic, personal, and professional aspirations and preparedness for admission to the Occupational Therapy Program, and rate prospective students on a standard evaluation form. These evaluations are included in applicant files provided to the Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee. The Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee meets approximately one to two weeks after the interviews. The Admissions Committee, which includes the Program Director, makes decisions for action with oversight from the Dean of the College of Health Sciences. The Dean, via the Office of Admissions, notifies applicants in writing of the admission 
action/decision. Applicants are extended acceptance to the program based on the aggregate qualitative and quantitative data gathered from the application, interview process, and the completion of all published admissions requirements.

The Dean of the College of Health Sciences may recommend for an interview applicants who meet the Program’s minimum requirements for which they are applying (e.g., children of alumni, faculty, or staff). These applicants are not guaranteed admission into a Program and will have their application reviewed similarly to other applicants being considered for acceptance. All admissions decisions are made by the program Admissions Committee.

Reapplication Process

Students who receive denial or end-of-cycle letters may reapply for the following year's admissions cycle. Before reapplying, however, individuals contemplating reapplication should seek the advice of an admissions counselor. To initiate the reapplication process, prospective students must complete and submit a new application and proceed through the standard application process.