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Occupational Therapy in Downers Grove

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Occupational Therapy Admission

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 health care 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 February 1, 2012. 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 2.75 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
6. Completion of a first aid course within the three years prior to enrollment
7. Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Level C/Health Care Provider or Basic Life Support of the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Students are responsible for maintaining CPR certification at this level while enrolled in the Program
8. Demonstration of a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities
9. Motivation for and commitment to health care 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

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Prerequisite Courses

Students must complete the following courses with a grade of C or higher.

Human Anatomy — One course*
Physiology — One course*
Statistics — One course
Human Development — One course†
Abnormal Psychology — One course
Social & Behavioral Science — One course

*The 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.

†The Human Development course requirement refers to at least one course which includes the physical, social, and psychological development throughout the lifespan. This may include child development and another course related to adulthood or the elderly.

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.

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INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

Applicants who wish to receive transfer credit for prerequisite coursework completed outside the US or at a Canadian institution that does not use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation obtained from one of the following evaluation services:

• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE): 414/289-3400 or Fax 414/289-3411 or visit www.ece.org
• World Education Service (WES): 212/966-6311 or Fax 212/739-6100 or visit www.wes.org
• Josef Silny & Associates International Education Consultants: 305/273-1616 or Fax 305/273-1338 or visit www.jsilny.com

International applicants who do not provide documentation of acceptable US or Canadian course/degree equivalency will not receive credit, and will be required to complete all prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university in the United States, or at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation.

For clarification about recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada that use English as a primary language of instruction and documentation, international applicants should contact the Midwestern University Office of Admissions.

International Applicant Packet

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Technical Standards for Admission

A candidate must have abilities and skills in five areas: 1) observation; 2) communication; 3) motor; 4) intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and 5) behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner. Specific technical standards are specified in the Occupational Therapy Program Manual. The technical standards listed below are a summary of the Program specific technical standards that apply to classroom, laboratory and fieldwork environments.

1. Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses.

2. Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently and sensitively in both oral and written form and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.

3. Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine muscular movements, maintain equilibrium and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks. The Occupational Therapy Program requires a candidate to be able to move at least 50 pounds vertically and horizontally.

4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.

5. Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment and the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically, mentally and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process.

Candidates are required to certify that they understand and meet these Technical Standards. Candidates must provide such certification prior to matriculation. Candidates who may not meet the Technical Standards must inform the Director of Admissions, who will then contact the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students, in consultation with the CHS Dean and Program Director, will identify and discuss what accommodations, if any, the College/Program would need to make that would allow the candidate to complete the curriculum. The College/Program is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the Occupational Therapy curriculum. Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment in their professional program.

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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 http://www.otcas.org by February 1, 2012. 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 August 2011. 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. Midwestern University operates on a rolling admissions basis where applications are reviewed throughout the admissions cycle.

2. Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to submit a minimum of two letters of recommendation from professionals to OTCAS (http://www.otcas.org). 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 prehealth 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 2.75. 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 email, fax, or letter to:

Midwestern University
Office of Admissions
555 31st St.
Downers Grove, IL 60515
800/458-6253
admissil@midwestern.edu

Interview / 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 interviewers, lunch with current Midwestern University 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 applicants 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 two to four weeks after the interviews. The Committee reviews the full application file for applicants who were interviewed and then formulates and submits a recommendation for action. Each applicant will be notified in writing of the admission action/decision.

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Matriculation Process

The matriculation process begins after applicants receive notification of their acceptance into the Occupational Therapy Program. Students must return both a signed matriculation agreement and deposit to the Office of Admissions by the deadline date. Students must also:

1. Submit deposit monies by the date designated in their matriculation agreement. Deposits are applied toward the first quarter's tuition.
2. Submit official final transcripts from all colleges attended post-high school by the deadline of two weeks (14 calendar days) prior to the first day of classes. Students who are accepted to MWU less than one month prior to the first day of classes will have 30 calendar days from the date of their acceptance to submit all official transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Any special circumstances or requests for exceptions to this policy must be sent to and approved by the Office of the Dean of the College. Students who fail to submit all official final transcripts by the stated deadline may jeopardize their acceptance or continued enrollment in the College.
3. Submit proof of immunization against, measles, mumps, rubella, oral polio (opv) diphtheria, and hepatitis B. A titer verifying immunity to the previously mentioned disease may be required.
4. Provide evidence of testing for tuberculosis within the last 12 months.
5. Submit proof of medical insurance coverage. Students may select either a plan offered by an MWU-approved carrier or a comparable plan offered by an outside carrier of their choice. Students are required to carry low-cost disability insurance that is offered through the University.
6. For non-U.S. citizens/nonpermanent residents only, provide documentation verifying that sufficient funds have been deposited in a U.S. bank to cover all expenses while attending CHS.
7. Provide documentation that any additional coursework or service requirements stipulated by the Admissions Committee of the Program have been completed.
8. Authorize and pass the Midwestern University criminal background check.
9. Submit additional documents as required by the Office of Admissions.
10. Sign and submit a Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy Statement.
11. Complete a physical exam and submit form.
12. Sign and submit a Credit Policy Statement.
13. Meet the Technical Standards for the Program.

Students who either fail to satisfy these matriculation requirements or omit or falsify information required on official admissions documents will automatically forfeit their seat in the Program. Individuals accepted for admission to the Occupational Therapy Program who do not comply with stated timelines for submission of all required materials will not receive further notification from CHS regarding forfeiture of their seat.

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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.

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Related Links

Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS)

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