OT98765 Posted June 12, 2020 Report Share Posted June 12, 2020 Hey Guys! I just wanted to confirm that my understanding of provisional vs firm acceptances is correct. By replying on ORPAS to my offer provisionally that is replying to the offer (and it won't expire today) right? I accepted provisionally already but I'm scared I need to firmly accept before tonight's deadline. Is provisional okay? I accepted my Western OT offer so a UofT spot will open up to the waitlist! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTVic Posted June 12, 2020 Report Share Posted June 12, 2020 Hi All! This forum was very helpful for me while applying so I figured I would now post my stats for future years. I accepted my offer at McMaster so waiting lists at the others should move J Applied (All OT): Western, Queens, McMaster, UofT Accepted: Western, Queens, McMaster, UofT cGPA: 3.84 sub-GPA: 3.99 I decided in my last semester of my undergrad that I wanted to go into OT so I was worried about my experiences not being specific enough compared to what others were posting on this forum. I really tried in my essays (and in McMaster MMI) to focus on the skills I developed in other volunteer experiences and how they would make me a successful OT student and future OT. I think it’s easy to rhyme of all your volunteer experiences and sound super impressive, but I think school’s get so many applications of that manner that it is important to show HOW those skills will help you in the future. So this is my experience but I put in brackets what I mostly talked about (in essays or interview). My undergrad was in Biomed at Guelph and I knew my GPA would be a strong suit (focused on that I identified my strengths and weaknesses as a learner). I volunteered as a peer helper at Guelph for two years (developed strong communication and problem solving skills), was a UofG ambassador for four years (communication, working with diverse groups), volunteered in a physiology lab for two years and eventually lead my own research project from this lab and published in a peer reviewed journal as first author (writing skills, critical thinking, confidence with scientific literature). I volunteered outside of school in the summers at hospital specializing in dementia (compassion and creativity), with community living as a companion to an older adult with intellectual disability (advocating for individuals with disabilities), and coached soccer for young girls (healthy living, being a role model). During my summers I worked for my home city in their parks department (aka cutting grass and planting flowers), except for one summer I worked as a research student out of a big research hospital in Toronto (confidentiality and research process). I shadowed one OT for maybe 4 hours. My references were the prof who’s research lab I did my work in and my peer helper supervisor. I think it’s important to remember that people are going into OT with all sorts of experiences and varying backgrounds. Try not to compare yourself to people on here too much, but hopefully my application offers some comfort to anyone who doesn’t have much direct OT experience I chose McMaster because I really do feel like they are a leader in the field of OT, I think that their self-guided learning technique will challenge me and really force me to become an active learner, which in a masters leading to a profession, is really important. I was also overall impressed with their program layout (backed by research), the responsiveness of the program, and I like that they choose to interview their applicants. At the end of the day, all of the degrees teach the same thing and we come out as OTs, so I tried to not overthink it Feel free to message me with any questions about applications, Mac MMI, or my decision making! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTVic Posted June 12, 2020 Report Share Posted June 12, 2020 13 minutes ago, WesturntOT said: Hey Guys! I just wanted to confirm that my understanding of provisional vs firm acceptances is correct. By replying on ORPAS to my offer provisionally that is replying to the offer (and it won't expire today) right? I accepted provisionally already but I'm scared I need to firmly accept before tonight's deadline. Is provisional okay? I accepted my Western OT offer so a UofT spot will open up to the waitlist! Hey! I was on McMasters info webinar the other day and from their explanation if you provisionally accept an offer today than you will have a week to wait out for whatever offer it is that you are waiting for. The provisional acceptance will turn into a firm acceptance next week at the deadline unless you go into your account and switch the provisional acceptance to a decline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OT98765 Posted June 12, 2020 Report Share Posted June 12, 2020 16 hours ago, PTPLEASE! said: Hi! Applying in the fall - does anyone have tips on how to ask a prof for academic reference? Like when & how to ask? (I'm also scared about my academic references because I haven't had the chance to really build a great relationship with any of my profs ) I find it is best to ask sooner than later so they have enough time to write the recommendation without being rushed, but you likely want to ask after a midterm mark is back. You'll want to ask a prof whos class you are doing well in, especially if you don't have as strong of a relationship with them so they can vouch for your academic performance. Most profs in upper year classes are used to this request, so asking in person in an office hour or via email is good! PTPLEASE! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OT98765 Posted June 12, 2020 Report Share Posted June 12, 2020 7 minutes ago, OTVic said: Hey! I was on McMasters info webinar the other day and from their explanation if you provisionally accept an offer today than you will have a week to wait out for whatever offer it is that you are waiting for. The provisional acceptance will turn into a firm acceptance next week at the deadline unless you go into your account and switch the provisional acceptance to a decline. Okay thanks! I think I will firmly accept anyways since I have full intention of going through with the offer I received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OT_dream Posted June 12, 2020 Report Share Posted June 12, 2020 Is this what everyone's confirmation email looked like after they accepted their offers? I just got an email from ORPAS saying I failed to complete the submit process but when I log back in, I can't resubmit like the email told me to. It also said I would get a confirmation number which it looks like I did in this email. I am confused and kinda panicking a little because we have to accept before midnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTorOT? Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 I got an offer off of the Queen's PT waitlist earlier this evening! People should be hearing back soon!! Nick4PT, ptapps and rrxxccooll 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptapps Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 4 minutes ago, PTorOT? said: I got an offer off of the Queen's PT waitlist earlier this evening! People should be hearing back soon!! Congratulations!! Was it by phone/email/OPRAS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTorOT? Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 Just now, ptapps said: Congratulations!! Was it by phone/email/OPRAS? Thank you! Email from Queen's, nothing on ORPAS yet ptapps 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptapps Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 11 minutes ago, PTorOT? said: Thank you! Email from Queen's, nothing on ORPAS yet How long do you get to respond to the offer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTorOT? Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 3 minutes ago, ptapps said: How long do you get to respond to the offer? I have to email them by end of day on June 15th with a YES or NO, and to respond to the offer on ORPAS by June 21st Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptapps Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 46 minutes ago, PTorOT? said: I have to email them by end of day on June 15th with a YES or NO, and to respond to the offer on ORPAS by June 21st Oh wow so early. By any chance do you (or anyone) know how provisional offer would work in this case? Would you just say YES and then on OPRAS you select provisional offer? Sorry for asking so many questions. I'm on the waitlist for Queens and Western and with Western being my first choice, I don't know what actions I would have to take if Queens responds first. Nick4PT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTorOT? Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 52 minutes ago, ptapps said: Oh wow so early. By any chance do you know how provisional offer would work in this case? Would you just say YES and then on OPRAS you select provisional offer? Sorry for asking so many questions. I'm on the waitlist for Queens and Western and with Western being my first choice, I don't know what actions I would have to take if Queens responds first. I know, it's barely anytime at all, haha. That's a really good question, I'm not sure... they mentioned that it may take several business days before I can see the offer on ORPAS. I am wondering if accepting a waitlist offer would make it firm? Because June 21st is also the day provisional offers become firm. If another student who got a first round offer and provisionally accepted at one school, but was also holding out for another school, they would be removed from waitlists at other institutions on the 21st. So if I received a waitlist offer, then was granted an "additional/extended" provisional period (e.g. June 21st-July 1st), that would be unfair to the other student? If anyone has any insight on this, please share! ptapps 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rehabgirl Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 20 minutes ago, PTorOT? said: I know, it's barely anytime at all, haha. That's a really good question, I'm not sure... they mentioned that it may take several business days before I can see the offer on ORPAS. I am wondering if accepting a waitlist offer would make it firm? Because June 21st is also the day provisional offers become firm. If another student who got a first round offer and provisionally accepted at one school, but was also holding out for another school, they would be removed from waitlists at other institutions on the 21st. So if I received a waitlist offer, then was granted an "additional/extended" provisional period (e.g. June 21st-July 1st), that would be unfair to the other student? If anyone has any insight on this, please share! This was the only thing I could find on the ORPAS website about this. I am curious too! If people decline their offers on the 21st, then the schools don't have time to offer it to someone else! (if they applied to the same discipline) PTorOT? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawbaby Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 Hi everyone, I just got my waitlist acceptance for OT from Queen’s!! My offer says to confirm by email to the school by June 16 & through ORPAS by June 21. I’m beyond excited. Congrats to everyone who will get their offers soon, they must be on the way! rrxxccooll and ptapps 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OT1996 Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 1 hour ago, Strawbaby said: Hi everyone, I just got my waitlist acceptance for OT from Queen’s!! My offer says to confirm by email to the school by June 16 & through ORPAS by June 21. I’m beyond excited. Congrats to everyone who will get their offers soon, they must be on the way! Hey is the school emailing you waitlist offers over the weekend? Was it by email or phone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyched4OTPT Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 Also got off the Queens PT waitlist today! ptapps and Nick4PT 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawbaby Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 21 minutes ago, OT1996 said: Hey is the school emailing you waitlist offers over the weekend? Was it by email or phone Email! The original waitlist emails from May 29 said that correspondence would be made via email I believe. I didn’t expect them to have offers coming out over the weekend either! I received it at 10:20am this morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrxxccooll Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 1 hour ago, Strawbaby said: Email! The original waitlist emails from May 29 said that correspondence would be made via email I believe. I didn’t expect them to have offers coming out over the weekend either! I received it at 10:20am this morning Do you know your ranking on the waitlist? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawbaby Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 26 minutes ago, rrxxccooll said: Do you know your ranking on the waitlist? Nope that was never disclosed to me unfortunately rrxxccooll 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandPTgal Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 I just got an offer from Western for PT I was upper third on the waitlist Nick4PT, Otdalq, jhall_88xc and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptapps Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 16 minutes ago, IslandPTgal said: I just got an offer from Western for PT I was upper third on the waitlist Congratulation!!! By phone or email? You have to respond within 24 hours right? IslandPTgal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandPTgal Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 6 minutes ago, ptapps said: Congratulation!!! By phone or email? You have to respond within 24 hours right? email, I have til tuesday!! ptapps 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyched4OTPT Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 Has anyone on the OT waitlist at McMaster heard anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OT-2020 Posted June 13, 2020 Report Share Posted June 13, 2020 Hey everyone, if I provisionally accepted an offer before midnight yesterday does that mean I responded to the offer before the deadline? Just making sure It is not only firmly accepting an offer that meets the deadline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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