Applying to Rehabilitation Science Programs

Career Development Centre

Fall 2013

Today’s Workshop Overview

• Researching programs

• Admission requirements

• Application procedures

• Laurier Career Centre

Rehabilitation Sciences

In Ontario, Master’s level programs in:

• Physical Therapy

• Occupational Therapy

• Speech-Language Pathology

• Audiology

Research Potential Programs

• Ask graduates working in your field

• Use books and websites to find out about particular schools

• Contact the admissions departments at schools of interest

• If possible, visit the schools and tour the departments

Ontario Programs

• ORPAS - www.ouac.on.ca/orpas

Deciding on the Right Program

• Acceptance rates

• Reputation of department and faculty

• Philosophy of the program

• Opportunities for practical experience

• Accredited program

Licensing Bodies for Rehabilitation Occupations

• Canadian Association for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists

• College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario

• Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

• College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario

• College of Physiotherapists of Ontario

Admission Requirements

• Undergraduate degree

– Minimum “B” (8.0) in final two years (10.0), Queen’s OT is B overall

– ORPAS Grade Conversion Table - http://www.ouac.on.ca/docs/orpas/c_orpas_b.pdf

– Prerequisites: vary by program

• Clinical/relevant experience

Prerequisite Courses • Occupational Therapy

– None

• Physiotherapy – Western: 1.0 science, 1.0 social science/liberal arts, 0.5 statistics, 0.5

physiology, 0.5 English – Toronto: 1.0 physiology, 1.0 Life/Physical Science, 1.0 social

science/humanities/language, 0.5 statistics/research methods – Queen’s: 0.5/1.0 intro psych, 0.5 anatomy, 0.5 physiology, 0.5 statistics – McMaster: 0.5/1.0 biological/life science (B or higher), 0.5/1.0 social

science/humanities (B or higher)

• Speech-Language Pathology – Toronto: 0.5 child development, 0.5 phonetics, 0.5 linguistics, 1.0 statistics, 1.0

physiology/anatomy – Western: 0.5 developmental psychology, 0.5 statistics, 0.5 anatomy/physiology,

0.5 social science (see list of appropriate courses), 0.5 linguistics, 0.5 life/biomedical science

• Audiology – Western: 0.5 development psychology, 0.5 statistics, 0.5 human

anatomy/physiology, 0.5 social science

Clinical Experience

• Assists with your career decision making

• Laurier Volunteer Site: www.wlu.ca/volunteer

• Volunteer Action Centre – www.volunteerkw.ca

• K-W Blue Book – available in the Career Resource Centre

• Specific hours for SLP and Audiology

Components of the Application Process

• Online application form

• Undergraduate Record/Prerequisites

• Transcripts

• Personal Submissions – Statement of Intent

• Resumé

• Reference Letters (Confidential Assessment Forms)

• Interview/Computer-Administered Profile

Ontario Programs

• ORPAS - www.ouac.on.ca/orpas

Application Fees

• Application Fee 2012/13 (for Ontario schools):

– One school: $270

– Two schools: $360

– Three schools: $450

– Four schools: $540

• Application costs outside of Ontario will vary

• Transcripts - $12

Online Application Form

• www.ouac.on.ca/orpas

• Deadline: January 11, 2013

• Ensure you answer all questions and complete the application

• Review before submitting

Postsecondary Education

• List institutions attended

• ORPAS will prepare an undergraduate academic record for each applicant. You will receive a copy of this in February.

Transcripts

• ORPAS – you can request Ontario university transcripts as a part of the application process

– Order one Laurier transcript to go to ORPAS that is then distributed to the schools where you applied

– Choose option to send ‘At the end of January’ if you are currently enrolled

• Outside of Ontario

– Order from Service Laurier at 202 Regina St.

Prerequisites In the Personal Submissions section of ORPAS application

• List courses that fulfill prerequisites – Include course descriptions if asked

– Link to Laurier’s Undergraduate Calendar: http://www.wlu.ca/calendars/index.php?cal=1&y=53

• Required by some schools

• Queen’s PT also asks for a paper submission to ORPAS of course descriptions

Personal Submissions Statement of Intent – OT (U of T and Queen’s ), SLP (U of T and

Western), Audiology (Western)

Personal Information Submission – PT (Queen’s)

• A way to introduce yourself to the admissions committee

• Tailor each statement to the program to which you are applying – articulate your experiences clearly

• Answer the specific questions that are asked – May involve researching current trends

• Discuss your accomplishments and valuable experiences and emphasize the positive

• Make your statement stand out from the rest – make it “personal”

Resumé (OT at U of T and Queen’s)

• Compared to an employment resumé, this resumé should: – Place a focus on academic work and achievements

– Discuss related experiences (volunteer/paid)

– Demonstrate skills and personal characteristics necessary for this program and occupation

• Instructions for formatting are in the Queen’s and U of T sections of the ORPAS Instruction Booklet

• Mail to ORPAS

Reference Letters ‘Confidential Assessment Forms’

• Required by all programs except McMaster OT and PT and Western OT

• A letter of recommendation provides information about your personal qualities, accomplishments, and experiences that will help you be successful in grad school

• Usually 2 or 3 per school

Who should you ask?

• Usually at least one professor and one non-academic person (from related work or volunteer experience)

• Characteristics of good referees:

– Have known you long enough to write with authority

– Describe your work positively

– Know where you are applying and why

– Know you educational and career goals

– Be able to write a good letter

Clinical References (SLP and Audiology)

• Your supervisor from related experience

• Gain as much clinical experience as possible to make sure you have the required number of hours

Interviews

• Some programs conduct interviews

• Opportunity to explain why you are a good candidate and demonstrate you have the necessary skills

• McMaster - MMI (Multiple Mini-Interview)

• U of T Physical Therapy uses a Computer Administered Profile

Rehabilitation Science Programs Outside of Ontario

• Ensure the program meets the academic requirements for the licensing body in Ontario

• Apply directly to the school or through an educational consultant if applying internationally

Certification Process

• Varies by field – reference the licensing body for your field

• May include written exams

• If you complete education outside of Canada, will also include an evaluation of your academic program

Assistance at the Career Centre

• Career Advising appointment – Career Consultants can help you explore your

career options based on your undergraduate program, interests, etc.

• Career Resource Centre

• Individual Appointments – Review admission requirements

– Review statement of intent and resumé

Connect with us!

Waterloo Campus:

For appointments:

519.884.0710 x4495

wlu.ca/career

For assistance via email:

Lisa Favero lfavero@wlu.ca

Lisa Roy lroy@wlu.ca

Brantford Campus:

For appointments:

519.756.8228 x5726

wlu.ca/career

For assistance via email:

Jennifer Hicks jahicks@wlu.ca

Lori McMaster lmcmaster@wlu.ca