Getting into a master's program (healthcare) w/ TESC BA degree

[Snickerdoodle]

This is somewhat related to the discussion on a 2nd degree BSN program, but I think this warrants a separate thread. I'm applying to a master's program in occupational therapy with my TESC BA in Liberal Studies. I know that the particular school I'm applying to looks at the science GPA the most (I took all of those courses B&M so I'm not worried) and the experience hours (which I've got), but I had a meeting with the department to look over my transcripts and...they didn't actually say so, but they were definitely surprised to see all those "CR" grades and I sensed some hesitation. And they hadn't heard of TESC, either. I feel nervous competing with all the "fill-in-the-prestigious-school-name" grads in my area. Has anyone else had similar experiences? How did it go? Any questions that I might have to field about my unconventional education track (other than the obvious "Did you test out of all this?!")? TIA for any and all help.

[cookderosa]

though I did not attend, I did apply to 3 nursing schools (ADN, AS, BSN) with my BA Social Science from TESC. Accepted to all, and bumped to the front of 2 waiting lists I might add. About half my degree was test-out, and the other half were online courses. After graduation, I completed the premed science sequence online which hit all the prereqs except for English, sociology, and stats which were CLEP. In addition, when I was considering the change, it was to pursue an advanced practitioner's degree (midwife) so had been in contact with numerous (maybe 8) programs. No problem anywhere- not even at Vanderbilt, which I was considering heavily. Granted, I didn't contact Yale, but you get the idea.

On an aside, be sure you meet all the requirements, health programs are insane about the application process- apply early, great letters, etc.

In short, if you feel nervous, you need to step back and think about your resume. If you feel ashamed, either come to terms with it and embrace it, or go back to school and re-earn a new degree. I'm not being sarcastic, I'm being serious. I felt pride and confidence about how I completed my degree, and it showed. Call it a spin or whatever, but if you think you did something "wrong" or "inferior" you need to back up and work this out.

PS Whoever you talked to likely doesn't make admissions decisions alone, ignore him. If they want to reject you, let them put it in writing. AND, even traditional grads get rejected from time to time, so what? Is this the only school? Refocus.

[Snickerdoodle]

Thank you!!!! I need a different perspective and you gave me just that. No, there's no shame---I worked hard for this degree and the path I chose is totally legit, but I guess I'm cringing at the thought of having to explain, maybe even defend it, on top of all the stress inherent to applying. Anyway, thank you for sharing, and I'm glad to know that you've experienced success.

[cookderosa]

Thank you!!!! I need a different perspective and you gave me just that. No, there's no shame---I worked hard for this degree and the path I chose is totally legit, but I guess I'm cringing at the thought of having to explain, maybe even defend it, on top of all the stress inherent to applying. Anyway, thank you for sharing, and I'm glad to know that you've experienced success.

You're welcome! If I can help in any way just message me Good luck!

[Waldorfteacher]

SD
I have also completed my BA at TESC recently, in Social Science, and I am also applying to OT grad schools. Because the OT field has many job opportunities and there are not a huge number of OT schools, OT graduate admissions are very competitive. I must say the lack of GPA coupled with so many CR's on my transcript leaves me at a significant disadvantage in relationship to other candidates. The extensive number of prerequisites, often around 48 credits for OT grad schools, is a critical consideration. A minimum GPA of 3.0 overall but 3.5 for prerequisites is the usual standard.

The Cal State system will not consider applications without a GPA nor will they accept DSST or CLEPs to fulfill prerequisites. This is generally true with state schools around the country. Private schools have a range of policies that you will have to look into. Two great resources I have found are the AOTA website and the OT section of the Student Doctor Network helpful resources when sorting these questions out. By the way, what OT programs are you applying to?

OT Master's-Level Programs - Accredited

Occupational Therapy [ O.T.D ] - Student Doctor Network Forums

[Snickerdoodle]

SD
I have also completed my BA at TESC recently, in Social Science, and I am also applying to OT grad schools. Because the OT field has many job opportunities and there are not a huge number of OT schools, OT graduate admissions are very competitive. I must say the lack of GPA coupled with so many CR's on my transcript leaves me at a significant disadvantage in relationship to other candidates. The extensive number of prerequisites, often around 48 credits for OT grad schools, is a critical consideration. A minimum GPA of 3.0 overall but 3.5 for prerequisites is the usual standard.

The Cal State system will not consider applications without a GPA nor will they accept DSST or CLEPs to fulfill prerequisites. This is generally true with state schools around the country. Private schools have a range of policies that you will have to look into. Two great resources I have found are the AOTA website and the OT section of the Student Doctor Network helpful resources when sorting these questions out. By the way, what OT programs are you applying to?

OT Master's-Level Programs - Accredited

Occupational Therapy [ O.T.D ] - Student Doctor Network Forums

Yes, that's very true. I've lurked around SDN quite a bit. I'm applying to only Loma Linda University's MOT program. I realized I prolly don't have a shot at the Cal State schools. What have you applied to?

[brajalle]

I'm pursuing an allied health field master's after I finish my B.S. In doing research and talking to the schools, they are very hesitant to consider someone with science pre-reqs with no GPA. This led me to eventually not consider any CLEP/DSST or Straighterline science pre-reqs. I'll be doing them all through UNE.

The programs I contacted did not seem to freak out about a large number of credits with no GPA (I didn't mention they were CLEP/etc), given that I had mentioned my science credits were going to have a GPA. My allied health field is not nearly as competitive as some in certain ways, in that there is not overwhelming applications to a small number of schools, and the field itself is little-known (under 4k licensed in the US), so even if I mentioned it, you'd have to probably google it and click a few wiki articles to figure it out. So while there is not intense competition (simply due to the obscurity), there are very limited slots and only 14 programs in the country (of which perhaps 6 are masters programs).

Not sure if it is representative, and I will report back once I actually finish my BS and start applying, but I figured that their initial reactions (not being freaked out, more concerned about science pre-reqs), may help a few people. In summary, talk to your school, not an admissions person, but someone in the department. The programs I contacted were small enough that the admissions person frequently just asked the director of the program.

[Snickerdoodle]

Thankfully I do have a GPA---I took all of my science prereqs as B&M courses. Admissions cares more about my science GPA, so I've been told. So that works for me. But a few of the prereqs that I CLEPed such as psych, socio, HG&D...the lady I met with looked specifically at those courses and that's when I sensed something slightly negative. Oh well. We'll see. Brajalle, do you mind me asking what field are you looking at?

[brajalle]

Perfusion....

[Snickerdoodle]

Neat! You're involved in cardiac surgery if I'm not mistaken? I've heard of it, but correct me if I'm wrong.