Post on 23-May-2020
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
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
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