I need some serious feedback!!

So I am a Junior in college at Auburn University, I was unsure of what it was I wanted to do and major in...I always knew I wanted to do something in the health field or therapy field....I have recently decided I wanted to be a Occupational Therapist.. Heres the catch, I have 45 Semester hours to go left before I Graduate but unfortunatley I am plagued by a LOW GPA (2.3), I probably will not be able to get into any OT schools...I am so confused right now...I dont know if I should just go ahead and graduate with this Psychology degree or should I start over and go to a community college that has OTA work for a couple of years and get into OT...I really need help and any insightful direction will help. Thank You!

Well to begin, a lot of OT programs require a min GPA of 3.0. Therefore your application could be rejected on that alone. However, there are some programs that only require a 2.5 GPA. If you haven't done so already, take a look at AOTA.org-school section-and start researching the schools that give a little more flexibility on the GPA. After researching the schools, I'd contact those schools that are more flexible and inquire what needs to be accomplished by you to become more competitive when the day comes when you do apply. In my experience with applying to OT school (Colorado State University) is that it is VERY competitive. The more you can spruce up your "resume" the better. And from what I hear, writing a really good essay could be the tie breaker. Furthermore, don't give up yet. Try to work with what you have and make the best of your last years at college. I hate to say it, but grades are an important.

I attended Barry University in Miami, FL. My first degree (B.S.) was less than stellar academically back in the 80's. I squeaked by with only a 2.7 GPA. Barry University let me try the OT program "conditionally" meaning I actually started my first semsester on academic probation.

My first semester was a 4.0 GPA, and that got me off probation. While it was tough at times, it all paid off.

Maybe Barry University could offer you a similar trial. Good luck ahead.

Thomas:
I teach at a local college...
1St: GPA is important, as you already know.

>Work harder,
>study more,
>hire a tutor,
>TALK TO YOUR PROF'S, ask how to raise your grades. They'll respond, (I always do.)
> Join study groups ( Reach out to staff, students, peers)
Don't lament your GPS, work your a-- off and raise it. You can explain your increase later that you grew into the responsibility.

2Nd: The medical field is wide open, stop by a local clinic or hospital and such, ask for a 5-10 minute interview of H-R. If granted, do not take more than 5-10 minutes. Ask what they look for?

Thomas, please don't get another worthless degree in psychology or Greek Mythology. Useful skills are what employers want, not another bogus liberal arts degree.

Rusty in Redmond, Washington said: Thomas:
I teach at a local college...
1St: GPA is important, as you already know.

>Work harder,
>study more,
>hire a tutor,
>TALK TO YOUR PROF'S, ask how to raise your grades. They'll respond, (I always do.)
> Join study groups ( Reach out to staff, students, peers)
Don't lament your GPS, work your a-- off and raise it. You can explain your increase later that you grew into the responsibility.

2Nd: The medical field is wide open, stop by a local clinic or hospital and such, ask for a 5-10 minute interview of H-R. If granted, do not take more than 5-10 minutes. Ask what they look for?

Thomas, please don't get another worthless degree in psychology or Greek Mythology. Useful skills are what employers want, not another bogus liberal arts degree.

I understand the greek mythology hang up, but please explain to me how a degree in psychology is worthless? From my understanding, it can be as valuable as a business degree. My father majored in psychology and was a successful chief of probation and counselor so I really don't understand your bashing of one the most respected undergrad degrees.

Sean Slovik in Melbourne, Florida said: I attended Barry University in Miami, FL. My first degree (B.S.) was less than stellar academically back in the 80's. I squeaked by with only a 2.7 GPA. Barry University let me try the OT program "conditionally" meaning I actually started my first semsester on academic probation.

My first semester was a 4.0 GPA, and that got me off probation. While it was tough at times, it all paid off.

Maybe Barry University could offer you a similar trial. Good luck ahead.

How's the OT program??

FYI in Smyrna, Georgia said: I understand the greek mythology hang up, but please explain to me how a degree in psychology is worthless? From my understanding, it can be as valuable as a business degree. My father majored in psychology and was a successful chief of probation and counselor so I really don't understand your bashing of one the most respected undergrad degrees.

Psychology is a general liberal arts degree that does not really prepare you for anything skill-wise. I have a BA in psych but a Master's in OT. I agree that in this day and age, psych is worthless. Kids are coming out of school very smart especially with computers and psych just does not prepare anyone to get a "psych" job. There are many other undergrad degrees worth spending thousands of dollars on which can help you obtain a decent job vs. an $8-12 job with a psych degree.

OTurbo in staten island, New York said: Psychology is a general liberal arts degree that does not really prepare you for anything skill-wise. I have a BA in psych but a Master's in OT. I agree that in this day and age, psych is worthless. Kids are coming out of school very smart especially with computers and psych just does not prepare anyone to get a "psych" job. There are many other undergrad degrees worth spending thousands of dollars on which can help you obtain a decent job vs. an $8-12 job with a psych degree.

Except research, research software, people and human resource skills. True, a psych major might need to market themselves quite a bit, but schools are not intending to spit out drones. In other words, we are not all going to be in the psych field because we majored in that. Like I said, my dad was a chief probation officer and only recently retired. He would tell you right now that his field has more respect for a pscyh major than a criminal justice major. Why? I don't know the nuts and bolts of the business so I couldn't tell you. The point is that liberal arts degrees still university campuses. They are only as worthless as you make them out to be. A friend of mine knew a girl who majored in English and was working as a cashier at Publix. She didn't have to do that as this was a time when the economy was going strong. She had choices in other words. I don't know her story, but I know if people have enough determination and don't get burnt out from the years of schooling, then they can market themselves into jobs where their degree may pay off. Too many people expect something to fall into their laps after college no matter the major. It doesn't matter what skills you have. If you don't have enough people skills and business practicality to persuade someone into hiring you, then you probably won't get hired. Another mistake is the view that a degree is a means to an end that grants some type of privilege when it is only the beginning.

Thomas in Raleigh, North Carolina said: So I am a Junior in college at Auburn University, I was unsure of what it was I wanted to do and major in...I always knew I wanted to do something in the health field or therapy field....I have recently decided I wanted to be a Occupational Therapist.. Heres the catch, I have 45 Semester hours to go left before I Graduate but unfortunatley I am plagued by a LOW GPA (2.3), I probably will not be able to get into any OT schools...I am so confused right now...I dont know if I should just go ahead and graduate with this Psychology degree or should I start over and go to a community college that has OTA work for a couple of years and get into OT...I really need help and any insightful direction will help. Thank You!

Your a junior. Finish your degree and decide what to do after that. Time is valuable so would it make sense to quit and start all over at the Associate level when you could have a Bachelors in that same amount of time or less. If you want to start as an OTA, that might be a good idea, but at least you would have more income prospects after obtaining your Bachelors, and that could help you finance your future endeavors. I wouldn't get discouraged especially by advisors who confuse GPA with GPS. Your at Auburn University of all places where I am sure your advisors can actually give you real advise.

[QIs this the weekend P/T program? Are the courses very difficult? Advice?? And last but not least what's the program reputation for fieldwork placement..do you have to be local?