Hello all,
I'm a "non-traditional" student thinking of changing careers to OT. I was wondering if anyone here has had experience with the OT Weekend Program at Utica, NY or weekend programs in general? Did you have to commute more that an hour or two and how did that work out for you? How was the course load for the weekend and how did that work out? Did you need to find a place to stay locally on Saturday evening?
P.S. By non-traditional I mean I'm a 46, married with two kids. I don't want to uproot the family and the closest weekend program is about 2 hours away in Utica.
Thanks,
Chuck
Hello Chuck,
While I am not a current student in the weekend MOT program at Utica College...I will be in the Fall. I was accepted to start this past Fall and decided to hold off. I am currently a practicing PTA in Upstate, NY. I can tell you that the Utica program is very highly regarded!!!! I know people that have gone through the weekend program and all have said that it is VERY intense, but worth it!! One graduate told me that you have to really want it to get through it. But you just have to keep your eye on the prize!!
I know that they have had students from as far aways as Texas. they flew in every other weekend. Typically, students will pair up and stay in a local hotel to share the costs. A couple of the hotels are giving the weekend students discounted rates. I know this b/c I have spoken with one of the prof. in great detail. I will be traveling from Rochester, NY which is about 2 hrs. for me. If I find someone that is also coming from my area I would love to share the driving.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Doreen
Thank you so much for responding Doreen! I too would be traveling from Rochester! I'm in Pittsford. While I would love to start this fall, I'm sure there must be a prereq or 2 I'm missing. I'm going to speak with them next week.
I would also have to work out the whole quitting my day job thing with my wife. She prolly wouldn't appreciate us sharing a hotel room either. As a male, I'm sure that will be hard for me in the program given that only 6% of OTs are male :-). But we could quiz each other on the car ride there and back! That would really be effective study time!
Are you planning to work full or part-time while you go to school? Do the classes start Friday night or Sat. morning? You said that the Texans flew in every other weekend. Are the classes every other weekend or every weekend? I have so many questions! sorry....
Chuck...wow...I too will be coming from Pittsford!!!!! I live just up the street from St. John Fisher College. I agree.....your wife and my partner of 10 years (male) would not appreciate the sharing of rooms.
I have to take my Physics class this spring at MCC so I do not have to worry about next year.
I currently work per-diem as a PTA...so if I can keep that going that would work out great for me. This way I can work as much or as little as I need to. But in reality, I will prob. need to work 30 hours/week due to those ugly things called bills!
The classes are every other weekend. I think it depends on what classes you would have to take as to if you are on campus Friday evening. If I would have started this past Fall, 2 of my classes are offered on-line, so I wouldn't have to be in class on Friday evening...atleast for some of the weekends.
Why don't you email me @ d_sabetta@hotmail.com, and will give you my home number. This way you can ask me all the questions that you have. It would be much easier.
I am a non-traditional student as well. I live in central jersey and have been searching for a weekend program that makes sense for me. Misirecordia looks like my best bet, its ever other weekend. Unfortunately it is 3 hrs away but for every other weekend that is certainly do-able. My worry is that from what it said on the paper application there is a 6 month full time internship. I like my current 9-5 and wouldn't want to leave it so will need to get more detail on this. Does anyone else have any other schools they've looked into that look like a good option, don't require a full time internship, and are outside of the traditional 9-5 m-f schedule?
Thanks
-Jen
From: ChuckSch <bounce-ChuckSch@aota.org>Sent: 12/16/2011 5:01:33 PM
Hi Doreen,
I am in the process of applting to to the Utica OT weekend program. I will complete my last pre-requ tonight and then all I have to do is finish my essay and turn it in. Have you visited the campus? I will be commuting from Syracuce. I plan to visit the last weekend of this month to speak with a few of the current students and profesors. This will be a career change for me as I currently work as a paralegal. I long after you completed your application did you find out you were accepted?
Shannon D. Ligon
Utica College MOT
From: PTAreenie <bounce-PTAreenie@aota.org>Sent: 12/16/2011 5:28:26 PM
Hi Doreen, what did you write your essay on. I ask because I have found to sets of directions. This is the last thing I must turn in and my application will be complete. Thanks
This is from the application
Please answer the following question in the space below or attach a word processed answer on a separate sheet of paper.Be sure to read the statement at the bottom of this page and sign the statement below.Discuss how the master’s degree in occupational therapy will assist you in meeting your personal and professional goalsrelating to the therapeutic environment. Include a reflective summary of your volunteer/observation/work experiencesalong with your interactions with occupational therapy personnel and clients.
This is from the website
a reflective summary of the volunteer/observation/work experiences, to include: the type(s) of practice setting(s), knowledge of occupational therapy as a profession, observations of occupational therapy services, interactions with clients, and interactions with occupational therapy personnel. The written summary is due by midterm prior to the occupational therapy phase.
From: PTAreenie <bounce-PTAreenie@aota.org>Sent: 1/17/2012 5:42:53 PM
Doreen,
Thanks how long is it. I am at 2 pages now and hope to have it turned in within a few days. So far I covered my observation hours at both places.
From: PTAreenie <bounce-PTAreenie@aota.org>Sent: 1/19/2012 12:51:58 PM