Anyways, moving on, I submitted all requirements for what I thought was my first choice in the middle of August 2013, and then for my second choice, September 5th, 2013. To make things simpler, i'm going to refer to my first choice as "A" and second choice as "Z."
Program Z invited me for an interview September 19, 2013. My application was processed pretty quickly! The picture on the right gives you the gist of the email I received. I replied immediately and accepted an on-site interview.
In my head, I thought, "Great, I have a month to prepare!" Eh, not quite! Time flew right past me and before I knew it the time had come. I had prepared for the interview a little bit, but definitely not to the point where I felt extremely comfortable.
The night before the interview I had a horrible headache. A headache beyond belief. I prayed so hard that it would be gone by the morning.
Luckily, by morning, I felt 80% better and it was time to get ready!
I wore a black pant suit with a nice red shirt beneath, pearl earrings, a pearl necklace, and SUPER LIGHT make-up. I also decided to wear a watch since I knew a cell phone, my main source for telling the time, would be inappropriate.
Since I already lived near the interview site, I did not have to worry about leaving the day prior or early early in the morning. I did, however, arrive super early -- probably about 45 minutes. I wasn't the only one with this idea because there were about 4 interviewees already there before me. In total, it ended up being about mmm 15-20 of us.
When all the interviewees arrived we received our interview schedule and admission contingency plan and then met in a small lecture room for a brief presentation about the program, which allowed us to learn more about the program, and the Director addressed some FAQs. We also had the opportunity to meet the faculty members of the program. They all seemed really nice and down to earth.
My interview schedule was as follows:
8:15-8:40 Presentation
8:45-9:15 Meet with MOT Students in small group
9:15-9:35 Interview
9:40-10:10 Essay
10:10-11:05 Tour
11:05-11:15 Student Center
11:15-11:45 Group Activity
Now, when I tell you I was NERVOUS, believe me, I was N-E-R-V-O-U-S! I tried my best to control it but my nerves were all over the place. I was the first to interview. Luckily, the MOT students that I got to meet with prior, helped in calming my nerves and assuring me that everything would be fine.
When I walked into the interview, there were 2 faculty members and a 2nd year OT student. It was really awkward because we were sitting at a square table instead of them being a panel in front of me. It made equal eye contact incredibly difficult, but I think I managed pretty well.
I was only asked three questions. None of them which I expected. It's been way too long so I don't remember the exact questions I was asked, but there were no questions about why I wanted to be an OT, why I i was interested in their program or saw myself as a good fit, no questions about my weaknesses -- none of the questions I thought they would ask were asked. Two out of three of the questions dealt with them wanting examples of "such and such" from my observation experiences.
At the end of the interview they asked if there was anything else I thought they should know about me and then if I had any questions. I showed them my resume and explained some things (not sure what others did, but that's what I did :)). Then, I asked three questions. ALWAYS ask questions after interviews -- ALWAYS!
After the interview, I felt okay about it. I didn't really know what or how to feel, but it was over and done pretty quickly. Then, it was on to the essay. The essay consisted of two questions with 30 minutes to answer both. They weren't too picky about the time, but I have heard some programs are. The first essay question requested bullets and the other a full blown essay. Again, it's been too long ago so I can't really recall the questions -- sorry.
Time for the tour! The facility was and is AMAZING. I had never toured program Z before. I guess because it was not my first choice...at first. I never even gave the idea a second thought, but WOW! I fell in love and started thinking immediately, "If they offer me admission, I'm accepting...no questions asked." It really blew me away. It has way better facilities than the facilities at program A and the location is better in general for several reasons.
Anyways, after the tour was over, I chilled out for a bit and talked to the other interviewees not interviewing or essay writing, and the MOT students that were hanging around to help.
For the group activity, it was pretty interesting...they said it wasn't part of the interview process, just something fun to do, but I don't believe that...nope -- don't believe it. We were put into 2 groups of 4-5 and told to build our idea of a city with green stryofoam, small nails, white string, pipe cleaners, and construction paper -- I think that was it. We had 25 minutes and then we presented our city. The other group's "city" was a lot more creative, but ours was more legit...if you ask me ;)
Time to go home. Nerves came back and all the thoughts of how I did came rushing back to me. I immediately called my mom, told her about my entire experience, and she treated me to lunch!
I sent a thank you email to program Z a couple days after my interview.
Tip of the blog: Don't be afraid to make scratch outs on your interview essay. I had SEVERAL! (We were given pens and no scratch paper *side eye*) At first, I was uneasy about the amount of scratch outs, but I read over my essay so many times and thought of something better or different to say/add...what else was I to do?....I wasn't just going to leave it. Many many manyyyy days after my interview I talked to a professor about all my scratch outs and she said how it may be a good thing, especially if it made my essay better. She said it shows that you care enough to re-read your work and strive for quality, and it shows that you are really thinking, rather than just rushing through it to beat the time. Had never thought it about that way. Hmm
Email: OTeaTimeBlog@gmail.com
Tags: Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Student, OT Blog, OT Student Blog, Blog, OTS Blog, MOT blog, MOT student, MOT student Blog, OT Student Tips
I was only asked three questions. None of them which I expected. It's been way too long so I don't remember the exact questions I was asked, but there were no questions about why I wanted to be an OT, why I i was interested in their program or saw myself as a good fit, no questions about my weaknesses -- none of the questions I thought they would ask were asked. Two out of three of the questions dealt with them wanting examples of "such and such" from my observation experiences.
At the end of the interview they asked if there was anything else I thought they should know about me and then if I had any questions. I showed them my resume and explained some things (not sure what others did, but that's what I did :)). Then, I asked three questions. ALWAYS ask questions after interviews -- ALWAYS!
After the interview, I felt okay about it. I didn't really know what or how to feel, but it was over and done pretty quickly. Then, it was on to the essay. The essay consisted of two questions with 30 minutes to answer both. They weren't too picky about the time, but I have heard some programs are. The first essay question requested bullets and the other a full blown essay. Again, it's been too long ago so I can't really recall the questions -- sorry.
Time for the tour! The facility was and is AMAZING. I had never toured program Z before. I guess because it was not my first choice...at first. I never even gave the idea a second thought, but WOW! I fell in love and started thinking immediately, "If they offer me admission, I'm accepting...no questions asked." It really blew me away. It has way better facilities than the facilities at program A and the location is better in general for several reasons.
Anyways, after the tour was over, I chilled out for a bit and talked to the other interviewees not interviewing or essay writing, and the MOT students that were hanging around to help.
For the group activity, it was pretty interesting...they said it wasn't part of the interview process, just something fun to do, but I don't believe that...nope -- don't believe it. We were put into 2 groups of 4-5 and told to build our idea of a city with green stryofoam, small nails, white string, pipe cleaners, and construction paper -- I think that was it. We had 25 minutes and then we presented our city. The other group's "city" was a lot more creative, but ours was more legit...if you ask me ;)
Time to go home. Nerves came back and all the thoughts of how I did came rushing back to me. I immediately called my mom, told her about my entire experience, and she treated me to lunch!
I sent a thank you email to program Z a couple days after my interview.
Tip of the blog: Don't be afraid to make scratch outs on your interview essay. I had SEVERAL! (We were given pens and no scratch paper *side eye*) At first, I was uneasy about the amount of scratch outs, but I read over my essay so many times and thought of something better or different to say/add...what else was I to do?....I wasn't just going to leave it. Many many manyyyy days after my interview I talked to a professor about all my scratch outs and she said how it may be a good thing, especially if it made my essay better. She said it shows that you care enough to re-read your work and strive for quality, and it shows that you are really thinking, rather than just rushing through it to beat the time. Had never thought it about that way. Hmm
Email: OTeaTimeBlog@gmail.com
Tags: Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Student, OT Blog, OT Student Blog, Blog, OTS Blog, MOT blog, MOT student, MOT student Blog, OT Student Tips
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