We typically accept 6-10 students out of 60-80 applicants.
Application Stats & Questions
Occupational Therapy students volunteer at the Ithaca Free Clinic.
Occupational Therapy students volunteer at the Ithaca Free Clinic.
How many applicants apply and how many do you accept each year?
What is the average GPA of accepted students?
The average GPA of our accepted students is a 3.6.
What if my cumulative GPA for my earned degree is below a 3.0?
If your cumulative GPA is below our minimum required 3.0, you are considered ineligible for admission to our program in the absence of extenuating circumstances.
Do I need to have a B.S. in occupational science, health science, or another specific major to be accepted?
No, the program is designed for individuals who have received a bachelor’s degree in another area of study and are interested in pursuing a career in occupational therapy. We have had students come in with some of the following majors:
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Can I apply while my prerequisite courses are "in progress"?
Yes, you can apply with up to 3 courses in progress. All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the program start date in May and require official transcripts to be submitted as soon as they are available.
Acceptance to the PEL program is contingent on you earning a C or higher in all prerequisite courses, so we will be reaching out to confirm proof of enrollment, requesting midterm grades (if available by application deadline), and final grades with official transcripts prior to starting the program. Mark the prerequisite as being “in progress” in the application if needed.
What if I am not sure if a course will be accepted as a prerequisite?
Please review our prerequisite descriptions here first. If you are still unsure, e-mail the course description and/or syllabus to the HSHP graduate administrative assistant at otgrad@ithaca.edu.
What happens if I retake a prerequisite course?
We will accept the best grade of any duplicate courses.
Do you require observation hours?
No, but we do feel that observing a licensed OTR/L is an amazing experience and can help you learn what types of populations and settings you may want to work in.
Am I required to submit a GRE score?
Starting with admissions in February 2021, we are no longer requiring GRE test scores.
Does one area of the application weigh more heavily than the others?
We value well-rounded applicants, so all parts of the application are considered in our admission decisions.
Is there an option for night/weekend or part-time study?
Unfortunately, not at this time.
I am an international applicant. Do I need to submit any additional materials?
It is hard to say because each student's situation is unique. Check out the Admission for International Students website for more information.
When will I be notified if I am accepted?
We try our best to turn around acceptance notifications as soon as possible. We aim for two to three weeks after the submission deadline, but it may take longer. We typically notify candidates who receive a graduate assistantship a week after the acceptance notice is sent out.
Questions?
PEL Graduate Program: OT Office
321 Smiddy Hall
Ithaca College
953 Danby Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
Fax: (607) 274-3055