Admission and Application Procedures
 
All interested persons are welcome to apply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, This program offers a competitive admissions policy.  Please contact Rae Ann Smith, OTA Program Director, at (301) 784-5536, for an application and information about admission requirements.  Early application to the program is encouraged.  Application deadline is May 30* of each year to be considered for entry into the program the following fall.  Following the selection from these applications, if the class of 16 is not filled, students will be accepted on a first come, fi­rst served basis based on their eligibility.
 
Admission Criteria - Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
 
1.  High School Graduates:

A total of three (3) students will be admitted from this category.

A. This category includes the following prospective students:

1. High school graduates within the last ten years who never attended college; and

2. Early placement students who are enrolled as part-time Allegany College student while still attending high school.

B. These persons must meet the following requirements to apply and be considered for admission:

1. One year of high school chemistry, biology, and algebra (or their equivalent) with a minimum grade of C in each course; and

2. Pass the Allegany College placement test or successfully complete all required  courses before the first college semester; and

3. A minimum ACT composite score of 18 with no score less than 16.

C.           These applicants will then be ranked and top candidates selected using the following factors in order of priority:

1. Composite score on the ACT test; and

2. Math and Science ACT sections (average score); and

3. Algebra, biology and chemistry high school grades.

If the student does not meet the requirements listed in this first category (High School Graduates), he/ she may become eligible to apply by meeting the requirements in the second category (Other Applicants).

II. Other Applicants:

A total of 13 students will be admitted from this category,

A.    This category includes the following prospective students:

1.  College students at Allegany College or other institutions; and

2.  Early placement students at Allegany College who are enrolled as full time students and who have waived the senior year of high school.

B. These persons must meet the following requirements to apply and be considered for admission:

1.   Pass the Allegany College Placement Test or successfully complete all developmental courses as required; and

2.   Have a minimum overall college grade point average (GPA) of 2.00; and

3.   Successfully complete a minimum of 16 semester hours of college-level (100 or above) coursework in the following categories:

                     English Composition              3 credits

                     General Psychology               3 credits

                     College Math                         3 credits

                     Biology w/lab                        4 credits

                     Humanities Elective                3 credits

C.    Entrance into the program is competitive.  Applicants will be ranked using the following three factors:

1.  GPA which is to be calculated based on the highest grade for college level coursework in each of the following 4 categories: (weight 25%)  It is recommended that courses be completed within the last five years:

English Composition
Psychology
Biology w/lab
Humanities Elective

2. Total credits completed toward the program. 24 credits of non-OTA courses are included in the program.  Applicants with higher numbers of these credits will be ranked more favorably than those with lower numbers (weight 40%).  GPA will also be factored on these non-OTA credits.

3. Entrance into the program is competitive and not all applicants can be selected.  Early application is essential.  Applicants will be ranked using the following three factors:

1. GPA which is to be calculated based on the highest grade for college level coursework in each of the following 4 categories: (weight 25%)  It is recommended that courses be completed within the last five years:
• College English
• Psychology
• Biological Science w/lab
• Humanities Elective
2. Total credits completed toward the program. 24 credits of non-OTA courses are included in the  program.  Applicants with higher numbers of these credits will be ranked more favorably than those with lower numbers (weight 40%).  GPA will also be factored on these non-OTA credits.
3. Successful completion of an interview process and impromptu essay (35%).

Ranking: Ranks in each of the three categories will be totaled to obtain an overall rank.  Students are selected for admission on the basis of overall rank, and completion of the above requirements does not guarantee admission.  Order of selection in the case of ties will be made based on date of application for current year.

* Deadline for application: May 30

** Following the final selection of the Fall class, which is usually completed by June 15, students  will be accepted on a first come, first served basis based on their eligibility.