DIY Pre-OT Student Planning Guide
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Pre-OT Student Planning Guide & Self Assessment document provides important resources for UT Austin students planning on applying to Occupational Therapy School.
Prerequisites & Time Line
- Occupational Therapy Prerequisite Courses
- Pre-Occupational Therapy Time Line
- Taking Courses Away from UT
- Other courses of interest to health professions students
Stress Management Resources
SELF CARE IS IMPORTANT:
- CMHC Managing Stress
- Mind & Body Lab
- Thrive - app from UT Healthy Horns to help you tackle your toughest and most ambitious goals, explore new ideas and make difficult decisions
- Calm - app for Sleep, Meditation and Relaxation, breathing programs, stretching exercises, and relaxing music. Calm is recommended by top psychologists, therapists, and mental health experts.
- Insight Timer - app for sleep, anxiety and stress and general mediation and mindfulness
- The Smiling Mind - this app is a unique tool developed by psychologists and educators to help bring balance to your life. We suggest 10 minutes a day.
A note from us: Do something you enjoy each day, even if it's only for 5min
CAMPUS RESOURCES:
- UT Student 24-Hour Crisis Line (24/7) 512-471-2255
- CMHC Counseling and Mental Heatlh Center 512-471-3515
- Individual walk-in support M-F, 8-5 pm at the SSB on the 5th floor or by phone
- Counselors in Academic Residence (CARE) Counselors
- CMHC Diversity Coordinators Hold Drop-In Hours for Undergrad & Grad Students
- CMHC Groups
- Student Veterans Counseling Services
- Student Emergency Services in the Office of the Dean of Students
- Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL) 512-232-5050
- Student Ombuds: 512-471-3825, SSB G1.404
- Campus Climate: to report a bias incident that you’ve experienced or observed on campus
- Incident Online Report Form
- Other Resources for our Campus Community
OTHER RESOURCES:
- Mental Health and Wellbeing for College Students
- Student Guide to Surving Stress and Anxiety in College and Beyond
- The Mind/Body Connection for Students: Reaching & Staying in the Zen Zone while in school
- How to Balance Student Stress
- Importance of Sleep for Students
- College Student Mental Health Resources
- Preventing Drug Abuse and Alcohol Addiction
- The College Student's Guide to Stress Management
- Sleeping Well in the Digital Age
Application Services
Application Services
OTCAS & OTCAS FAQ & Instructions
As of Jan. 2018, all of the Texas OT programs, except Abilene Christian University, use OTCAS
- Many out-of-state schools also use OTCAS. For other schools check with individual schools admissions pages for application and personal stratement instructions
- Most OT programs do not have secondary application and fees. Check with individual schools to confirm.
Personal Statements
The personal statement is a critical component of your application to OT school, as the personal statement can either significantly help or harm your chances for success, it is important to take it seriously. The statement must be personal. This is your chance to let the Admissions Committee hear from you and understand who you are. Take advantage of the opportunity to express your commitments, motivations and values
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HPO Personal Statement RESOURCES
Volunteer Opportunities
- Capital Area Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center
- Austin State School
- Hearthstone Nursing & Rehabilitation Center: (512) 388-7494
- Wellness Matters Physical Therapy: (512) 275-0282
- HELP Center (Handicap Equestrian Learning Program)
- North Austin Medical Center
- OT Connection - Pediatric Therapy Services
- KidWorks Therapy Services
- Little Tesoros Therapy Services
- Big Sky Pediatric
- Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT)
- KidTherapy
- AGE Central Texas
- Austin Child Guidance Center
- Cadence Therapy
- Ride On Center for Kids (R.O.C.K)
- Austin’s Communication Center
- Central Texas Veterans Affairs
- The Care Communities
- Austin Volunteer Match
UT-AUSTIN VOLUNTEER RESOURCES
Pre-Occupational Therapy Resources
- Occupational Outlook
- The American Occupational Therapy Association advances the quality, availability, use, and support of occupational therapy through standard-setting, advocacy, education, and research on behalf of its members and the public. Its web site has general information on occuational therapy, useful links, and discussion of current events.
- Texas Occupational Therapy Association
- National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
- Occupational Therapy guidebook by Accredited Schools Online
