GraduateSchoolPersonalStatement.com
by Dr. Robert Edinger
Helping Applicants Since 2005 
drrobertedinger@gmail.com

I want to help you get accepted to Graduate School in Occupational Therapy, OT Degree Programs

OT is a science and an art of its own with some of the greatest challenges in the world. I am convinced that this area of studies attracts applicants many if not most of whom have golden hearts and a passion for service to the weak and disabled, those who need them most. This is why it is a great pleasure and honor for me to help you in the drafting of a statement that is highly effective and will be successful at getting you admitted to the program of your choice in Occupational Therapy.

As a young man, I enjoyed very much working with autistic adolescents, despite the great challenges involved. As a result, I especially appreciate the opportunity to help applicants to graduate school in OT to get accepted and to have fulfilling careers. Now, as an older man, I try to be a young father to my only child, David, now 7, who is on the Autism Spectrum. Thus, I am in a good position to understand the critical role played by Occupational Therapy in the lives of so many of us.

There are many excellent graduate programs in Occupational Therapy that will prepare you for a lifetime of distinguished service in OT, providing you with the knowledge, skills and value of lifelong learning to practice occupational therapy in customary and innovative ways within an ever-changing world. Throughout the course of your studies, you will become an exceptionally keen observer, active listener, creative strategist, critical thinker, resourceful leader and practical educator who helps people set and meet goals, overcome challenges and thrive in the face of adversity.

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I have developed a special interest in Occupational Therapy primarily because I think that this field attracts good people who are interested in the most important things in life, rather than primarily making money and showing off what it can buy. Most of all, it is their sense of service to their fellowman. I also do a lot of work for nurses and social workers, for the same reasons. Five years ago exactly, I was living in the south of Mexico, working hard on my computer, drafting statements, and I lived with a family. Grandpa was in a wheelchair, and he would get daily visits from an OT professional. As I worked, I would look up and observe. I reflected at that time about the importance of what I was observing, especially for grandpa. But, it is also important to note that I feel strongly that the OT visit to grandpa was also healthy for the entire family and the visitors like myself as well. Especially his two grandchildren, who at that time were about 8 and 13. Clearly, this served to cultivate a sense of community in the children as well. It was healing for them to see someone caring for their grandfather.

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Dr. Robert Edinger

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Sample Introductory Paragraphs

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I have developed a special affinity and affection for the guiding ethical and human principles that drive the discipline of Occupational Therapy. I can see nothing that would be as noble for me to pursue than a professional lifetime spent giving my all to helping individuals to recover and function, thereby enabling them to improve their lives through activities that enhance their psychological and emotional well-being, in addition to their physical health. In love with the discipline itself, and still only twenty-three, I look forward to having broad-ranging experiences helping vulnerable members of my community and their families as an OT professional, working with clients that range from pediatric to geriatric. I love the diversity of OT.

My undergraduate focus on Athletic Training combined with my work as an Outreach Certified Athletic Trainer since graduation has provided me with something special to give to the profession of Occupational Therapy. Furthermore, I now hold two professional positions: also working as a Direct Support Specialist for Dependable Home Health Care in St. Paul, Minnesota, providing home patient care for the physically, developmentally, and intellectually disabled – from pediatric to geriatric patients. I have only been working in this new position since this past May 2014, but my heart has already been stolen by my patients. I see my future in their faces, helping them to live to the fullest each day. For this reason, a master's program in OT is ideally suited to the realization of my professional goals, for the long as well as the short term.

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Sample First Two Paragraphs.

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I am a young woman from Korea, now 27 years old, and I am making America my permanent home. I finished my undergraduate studies at XXXX University in 2013 in Biology with a minor in Communication and Cultural Studies and spent a total of 8 years in the USA, in Michigan as well as Indiana, which enabled me to bring my English skills up to a professional level. I also have relevant experience that has increased my confidence that Occupational Therapy is my ideal career since I worked for a sports rehabilitation center for professional baseball players as a business developer and coordinator. This experience left me with the impression that, while I excel at business development, my true calling is that of a therapist.

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Most of all, however, my great passion for Occupational Therapy comes from the experience of my uncle. Most Korean families are remarkably close; and my uncle was always a central figure in my family, filling a leadership role and working hard on behalf of all of us. When he was injured and became incapacitated, it was a terrible blow to my entire family, especially since his wife abandoned him because of his accident. Since that time, I have watched my uncle recover little by little, slowly rebuilding his life, something that would not have been possible without extensive rehabilitation and occupational therapy.

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Letter of Intention to Remain on the Wait List for Graduate Admission to the Occupational Therapy Program

I am writing to reaffirm my interest in being a part of the Graduate Occupational Therapy Program at XXXX College. Your program is my first choice for returning to graduate school for several reasons. I live in New York and completing your weekend program would allow me to continue in my present position in the area of human resources so as to be able to fund my attendance at your weekend program at XXXX College.

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In a few days, I will begin serving as a volunteer with XXXX Therapy of Rockland, NY. This organization is comprised of highly trained OT professionals who treat various conditions such as fractures of the upper extremities, reconstructive hand surgery, traumatic injuries, and also have a special concern for children and pediatric issues in OT. As a volunteer with this organization, I will be able to spend an entire year closely observing some of the most distinguished OT professionals in my area in preparation for entry into your program. I intend to give my all to this organization so that upon my enrollment at XXXX College I will already have extensive experience in OT issues, challenges, and will be better positioned to excel as a student in your program.

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As a Haitian woman who has spent her entire professional life in the area of Human Resources and Development, I have long distinguished myself in the areas of diversity and inclusion. I look forward to bringing this experience to your program and sharing in your celebration of diversity at XXXX College. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for reconsidering my application for admission to your distinguished program.

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Many OT Programs, if you make the first cut in the selection, will send you additional questions to answer, a sample of the response to which follows. You should coordinate these responses with the statement that you submitted previously.

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At XXXX hospital where I volunteered, I met several patients who were coming to see occupational therapists due to discomfort in their hands. Most of the patients were middle-aged adults and most of the causes of their discomfort were due to overuse of their hands at work; other problems were the result of rheumatoid arthritis. I would assist these patients by putting their hands in a paraffin bath to reduce the swelling while soothing the pain in their joints and muscles.  Other patients came to see a therapist to regain function lost because of recent injuries such as falling down the stairs. We helped all these patients by educating them and providing them with assistive devices that would help them to carry out their daily activities until they were able to fully regain their lost functions. 

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 I observed an occupational therapist in the inpatient unit conducting evaluations to be able to discharge some patients and admit others. Thus, I learned the immense importance of documentation and how to document a patient’s progress notes and evaluation reports to record the status and condition of the patient and the treatment that has been or needs to be provided, all of which may be read by other health care professionals and/or third-party payers.

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 At XXXX College, I was known as a student who strived to become a tremendous asset to the college by devoting all my talents and time to my studies and volunteer activities.  I served, for example, as a mentor scholar in the ALANA Men in Motion Program, a college organization where minority male students meet once a week during the school semester to discuss current issues in the media. I also served as a tutor at the center for academic program support where I assisted students with their math, chemistry, and computer science coursework. One of my greatest achievements was being nominated to the Green Key Honor Society, a college honor program that represents HCC in the community by organizing events to raise money for charitable causes.