OTPsycApp Posted December 6, 2019 Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 Hey everyone applying, I found this forum really useful when I was applying to U. of A for OT and thought I'd answer any questions you have (if I can) so ask away. I also interviewed at UBC and Manitoba but ultimately went to Alberta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OT0202 Posted December 6, 2019 Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 Is is true that if you meet the minimum competitive average of 84% that you automatically get an interview for UBC? Very interested in Alberta .wondering how you like it so far?! Is it a 9-4 all day schedule? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTPsycApp Posted December 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 UBC Interviews are really just based off of GPA entirely. I've had several department members confirm that they only really look at other aspects of your application during the review phase AFTER the interview. Alberta is definitely an intense program content wise (but tbh I think they all are) especially the first semester, but totally worth going if you get the chance. The first semester is close to 8-3 or 9-4, but I've also had Friday's off (just depends what lab time you pick). The department suggests you keep 9-5 Monday-Friday free because they do schedule extra learning opportunities etc on Fridays and around class times. The 2nd semester and beyond has less class time so for example T/Th it's only like 9-12 for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medddddd Posted December 7, 2019 Report Share Posted December 7, 2019 Do you know if U of A look at GPA as heavily as UBC? On their website they mention very many times that the program is academically rigorous (as I would expect) and they emphasize a good GPA as such. The admission GPA requirement is 3.0, but they recommend a 3.4 and then they said that last year applicants who were offered admission had a 3.7 GPA. Is this accurate do you think?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTPsycApp Posted December 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2019 3 hours ago, initrams said: Do you know if U of A look at GPA as heavily as UBC? On their website they mention very many times that the program is academically rigorous (as I would expect) and they emphasize a good GPA as such. The admission GPA requirement is 3.0, but they recommend a 3.4 and then they said that last year applicants who were offered admission had a 3.7 GPA. Is this accurate do you think?? I believe U of A also emphasizes GPA strongly and it's one of the main factors of how they rank you for offering admission seats. The program is definitely rigorous which I underestimated going in. In my undergrad I had a high GPA (3.90 out of 4.00) and I struggled this semester which I never have academically before so that was new to me. The first semester alone is 18 or 19 credits, plus a bunch of random extra things that you kind of have to do. So anyone who's only used to taking 12-15 credits at once will definitely notice the increase in work load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medddddd Posted December 10, 2019 Report Share Posted December 10, 2019 Wow that makes a lot of sense then. One more question; statistics I looked at showed that 95% of the admissions class is female and only 5% is male. Is this true in your class? Also why is this? Do you think that this would make this easier or harder for a male to get in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTPsycApp Posted December 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2019 Yeah that's pretty accurate. I think part of the problem is (generalized blanket statement here sorry) that males are drawn more towards PT when applying since requirements, job outlook, pay, etc are similar. I don't think it's specifically anything to do with the program itself, just perhaps the field in general. I'm not 100% sure if there's any quotas, but I highly doubt it has much weight? It definitely wouldn't hurt you in any way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medddddd Posted December 10, 2019 Report Share Posted December 10, 2019 Yeah I feel as though you're right. I haven't met too many males who want to do OT. It is interesting though that there is such a vast difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rehabhopeful Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 Can you tell me a little bit about the letter of intent portion of the application? Did you already have a letter drafted? Is there a time limit to complete that section? Thanks for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTPsycApp Posted January 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2020 On 12/21/2019 at 1:19 PM, rehabhopeful said: Can you tell me a little bit about the letter of intent portion of the application? Did you already have a letter drafted? Is there a time limit to complete that section? Thanks for your help! Are you referring to the questions you have to answer on GARS? As far as I remember, you are provided the 3 questions that you have to answer with corresponding word limits. I wrote out my full and completely polished answers just separately on a Word document and when I was done I copy and pasted each answer into the corresponding box and submitted. I don't believe there's a time limit but double check. As far as I'm aware, you have until applications close to edit and change answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funfuzzy2020 Posted January 31, 2020 Report Share Posted January 31, 2020 For the 3 questions on GARS, the last question asks "why are you applying to MScOT at U of A?" I was a bit confused about this question. Did your answer focus on why you chose OT as a career or is the question looking for answers for why pick *U of A* for OT vs. another school? The way it is worded, seems like they want to know why go to U of A. Any thoughts on this? Is the U of A vastly different compared to other programs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah31 Posted April 24, 2020 Report Share Posted April 24, 2020 Hey! Did you end up going to Edmonton or the Calgary satellite campus? I just got accepted and really want to stay in Calgary. I’m wondering if you know anything about how people like the program in Calgary vs. Edmonton. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamz_883 Posted April 24, 2020 Report Share Posted April 24, 2020 16 hours ago, Sarah31 said: Hey! Did you end up going to Edmonton or the Calgary satellite campus? I just got accepted and really want to stay in Calgary. I’m wondering if you know anything about how people like the program in Calgary vs. Edmonton. Thanks I would recommend going to Edmomton. From what I’ve gathered it seems the Calgary campus doesn’t get as much access to our profs (harder to build rapport with a prof) and resources as well as they seem quite isolated from a lot of the OT campus community we have built. But I would also try and get in touch with a Calgary cohort member to really see because I am in the Edmonton one myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMZ Posted April 24, 2020 Report Share Posted April 24, 2020 Hey, I'm just got accepted to the program from Ontario, so I don't really know anyone from the area. I'm wondering how the OT campus community is there, what they do to connect and if you have any advice early on in the process that can be helpful to look into (i.e. facebook group, orientation stuff). Also, what are the expected standards in terms of of the course-work grades?! Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bookworm1149 Posted April 25, 2020 Report Share Posted April 25, 2020 22 hours ago, Sarah31 said: Hey! Did you end up going to Edmonton or the Calgary satellite campus? I just got accepted and really want to stay in Calgary. I’m wondering if you know anything about how people like the program in Calgary vs. Edmonton. Thanks 5 hours ago, OThopefully said: I would recommend going to Edmomton. From what I’ve gathered it seems the Calgary campus doesn’t get as much access to our profs (harder to build rapport with a prof) and resources as well as they seem quite isolated from a lot of the OT campus community we have built. But I would also try and get in touch with a Calgary cohort member to really see because I am in the Edmonton one myself. Calgary student here! I would agree with the post about not building rapport with profs in Edmonton, however we do have some Calgary based profs to build rapport with! So pros and cons to both. One benefit to Calgary is that with a small class size, you get to know your class members very well! Campus location is also very convenient. Feel free to message me if you have any more specific questions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamz_883 Posted April 26, 2020 Report Share Posted April 26, 2020 On 4/24/2020 at 2:54 PM, MMZ said: Hey, I'm just got accepted to the program from Ontario, so I don't really know anyone from the area. I'm wondering how the OT campus community is there, what they do to connect and if you have any advice early on in the process that can be helpful to look into (i.e. facebook group, orientation stuff). Also, what are the expected standards in terms of of the course-work grades?! Thank you The community is really great, invites to a Facebook group will be sent sometime in June I believe for your cohort to get connected with one another and upper year members. You get to know your class pretty well. I’m not sure how orientation will be this year given that in person classes for the fall is still up in the air. As for grades, they really don’t matter anymore. A minimum to pass is a C+ (I think 65%?). Everyone tries really hard first semester but if you just do the work you’ll do well and the faculty gives you a lot of chances to make up for poor grades (e.g. they allow re takes for clinical exams and will often curve exams if everyone does really poorly). MMZ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natOT Posted April 28, 2020 Report Share Posted April 28, 2020 On 4/24/2020 at 7:39 PM, Bookworm1149 said: Calgary student here! I would agree with the post about not building rapport with profs in Edmonton, however we do have some Calgary based profs to build rapport with! So pros and cons to both. One benefit to Calgary is that with a small class size, you get to know your class members very well! Campus location is also very convenient. Feel free to message me if you have any more specific questions! I'm really hoping to attend the Calgary campus since I live in Southern Alberta. Can you share a bit more about what your experience has been like? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bookworm1149 Posted April 29, 2020 Report Share Posted April 29, 2020 On 4/27/2020 at 9:12 PM, natOT said: I'm really hoping to attend the Calgary campus since I live in Southern Alberta. Can you share a bit more about what your experience has been like? Thanks! I messaged you! natOT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OT202024 Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 I got accepted into the U of A OT program a couple weeks ago, but I’m still waiting to hear back from a couple schools. From what I’ve heard, U of A puts a lot more emphasis on research and so on, is this accurate? I’d love to hear what other people’s experience has been so far in regards to classes, placements, social class activities, etc MMZ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofAhopeful2222 Posted May 8, 2020 Report Share Posted May 8, 2020 Hi there! In admissions, it says preference is given to students who have completed a full course load of 30 credits over two consecutive semesters at some point during their undergrad with a competitive GPA. Since I have to work part time I have only been able to take 4 Classes a semester. However, I have a very strong gpa (3.9). Does anyone know how this could effect my application or likelihood of acceptance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMZ Posted May 9, 2020 Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 On 5/8/2020 at 4:01 PM, UofAhopeful2222 said: Hi there! In admissions, it says preference is given to students who have completed a full course load of 30 credits over two consecutive semesters at some point during their undergrad with a competitive GPA. Since I have to work part time I have only been able to take 4 Classes a semester. However, I have a very strong gpa (3.9). Does anyone know how this could effect my application or likelihood of acceptance Maybe a little bit, but honestly with a 3.9 GPA i wouldn't worry about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sugo Posted May 13, 2020 Report Share Posted May 13, 2020 x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamz_883 Posted May 15, 2020 Report Share Posted May 15, 2020 On 5/3/2020 at 2:08 PM, OT202024 said: I got accepted into the U of A OT program a couple weeks ago, but I’m still waiting to hear back from a couple schools. From what I’ve heard, U of A puts a lot more emphasis on research and so on, is this accurate? I’d love to hear what other people’s experience has been so far in regards to classes, placements, social class activities, etc This is no longer very accurate in my opinion because the scholar stream has been taken out. The scholar stream allowed for students to work closely with profs in a separate for credit course that was in that profs research area. However, there is still a capstone project during all of second year that is research focused and similar to the scholar stream concept. There is a lot of research going on and profs are open to you reaching out but in my opinion it was difficult to find the time to do so on top of the first semester’s workload. MMZ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamz_883 Posted May 15, 2020 Report Share Posted May 15, 2020 On 5/12/2020 at 6:07 PM, sugo said: Hi there, I'm an international student, and I'm currently attending 3rd year at Dalhousie. I'm thinking to apply UofA at the end of this year, so I wonder if you can often see some international students in your class? Because the admission quotas of OT in every Canadian University is really limited. I know for sure my class has 1 international student from Iran. I believe 2 others are international students from China and Korea but I can’t say for certain. And then I’m not sure about other years. Sorry couldn’t be more help! I would honestly just call or email admissions to ask if they have information about this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sugo Posted May 15, 2020 Report Share Posted May 15, 2020 13 hours ago, OThopefully said: I know for sure my class has 1 international student from Iran. I believe 2 others are international students from China and Korea but I can’t say for certain. And then I’m not sure about other years. Sorry couldn’t be more help! I would honestly just call or email admissions to ask if they have information about this. Thank you so much for these info, I'll try my best when applying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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