What are the Important Dates for the 2012/2013 Admissions Cycle?

Please note that the selection process for the September 2011 start date have been completed.
 

What is the selection process at McMaster?
 
The admissions selection process considers academic achievement, personal qualities and experience during the Multiple Mini Interview. 
 
Domestic Applicants: All eligible applicants to both the OT and PT programs are ranked solely on the basis of their GPA for an interview invitation. Approximately 300 of the top ranked applicants to each of the programs are invited for a personal interview (multiple mini interview).
 
All applicants who are interviewed are ranked on a combination of their pre admission GPA (25%) and their interview scores (75%) to determine the final ranking for offers of admission. We admit approximately 65 students to each of the OT and PT programs, including up to 6 positions in each for International students. The final approval of applicants for admission will be granted by the Associate Dean, School of Graduate Studies.
 
International Applicants: Applicants who are considered suitable candidates, based on their application material, will be invited to an interview. Successful interview candidates (based on pre-admission GPA and personal interview) will be recommended for offers of admission.  The final approval of applicants for admission will be granted by the Associate Dean, School of Graduate Studies.

What was the average GPA for incoming students?
 
It is impossible to accurately predict how competitive the applicant pools are from year to year, however, the cut-off GPA for an interview invitation for last year was 3.68 for PT and 3.48 for OT.

When will we be notified if we have received an interview?
 
You will receive an email the first week of April.  Please check your settings on your email to ensure that the interview invitation is not re-routed to your “junk” mailbox.

If I have been refused before, should I bother applying again?
 
Applicants are invited to re-apply. Applications from one year are not held over to another year. Each application is considered as a new submission.
 
If I am not accepted this time, how may I improve my application for the future?
 
Generally, applicants choose to continue university course work to upgrade and improve their GPA. An understanding of the learning environment and the professions are important, and may be accessed through articles on problem-based, self-directed learning, as well as through our annual Information Sessions held in the fall of the year.

What is the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) process?
 
The personal interviews constitute the final phase of the student selection process These interviews provide an opportunity for the interviewers to assess each applicant’s suitability for the OT or PT Program The interviewers are drawn from the Faculty of Health Sciences, the health care community and the OT and PT student body. This process also provides the applicant with the opportunity to explain why they will be successful in this program.
 
The applicant will meet 7 different interviewers in 7 different stations to discuss the scenarios provided.  Eight minutes are allowed for each station (2 minutes outside the interview room to read the scenario/interview questions, and 6 minutes inside the room with the interviewer to discuss the scenario/questions.).
 
The applicant should be aware that the interviewers may be taking notes throughout the interview as part of their assessment.
 
Remember that the interviewers do not have access to the applicant’s academic record or admissions file. The interviewers do not discuss the interview with other interviewers.
 
When are the 2012 Interview Dates?
 
Iinterviews will be held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada only.  Interviews for OT and PT applicants in 2012 are April 27, 28 and 29.  
 
All applicants are responsible for their own travel costs to and from the interview. If invited, in-person interviews are mandatory in order to continue consideration for admission. Failure to attend will result in an automatic withdrawal from the applicant pool.

There are no alternate dates for interviews. Also we do not offer telephone or Skype interviews.  They must be done in person.

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What is PBL and how does it work at McMaster?
 
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an educational approach that contends that knowledge is best remembered in the context in which it is learned, and that acquisition and integration of new knowledge requires activation of prior knowledge (Schmidt, 1983). In contrast to the common approach of using a problem for application after learning has taken place, problem-based learning requires that the learner encounter a problem first as the initial stimulus for learning (Barrows, 1980; Branda, 1990). The learner thus becomes actively involved in the learning process, can shape it to meet personal needs based on prior knowledge and experience, can engage in independent study appropriate to his/her unique learning style, and can integrate information from many sources, including student peers, into a construct for use in dealing with future problems.
 
The essential characteristics of a PBL health profession curriculum are outlined by Walton and Matthew (1989) as follows: an organization of content around problems rather than disciplines, an integrated curriculum rather than on separated into basic sciences and clinical sciences components or “traditional” courses, and an inherent emphasis on cognitive skills or “process” as well as on knowledge of “content”. Practice-based client scenarios or professional issues serve as the “problems” in the curriculum, and are designed to meet specific program goals and objectives. Clinicians are useful resources in this regard, and often help to develop the paper “problems” for tutorial learning by providing information on clinical practice. As students explore the problems, they gain the profession-specific and generic knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours required for entry to professional practice and for continuing growth throughout a lifetime of professional activity.
 
Small group tutorials provide an excellent forum for problem-based learning to occur. Students, with the guidance of a faculty facilitator/tutor, meet once or twice weekly

Will all my clinical education placements be in Hamilton?
 
The geographical area for the Clinical Education/Fieldwork component of the curriculum at McMaster University centres around, but extends well beyond the City of Hamilton.  The area includes many excellent facilities and programs, both in urban and rural settings.  The primary mandate of Clinical Education/Fieldwork is that students will be able to participate in a broad range of clinical learning opportunities to develop their professional behaviours, solidify and expand their knowledge base and to gain a variety of clinical skills in different practice areas. 
 
Students will be given the opportunity to identify preferences for placements, however, the type and location of placements that are available in each term/unit is dependent on the placement offers received from clinicians and facilities so preferences cannot be guaranteed. In both the OT and PT Programs, there are specific clinical/fieldwork requirements that need to be completed prior to graduation to meet accreditation requirements.   

Both programs offer a Northern Studies Stream (NSS) option in collaboration with Northern Ontario School of Medicine.  Through the NSS, approximately half of the students in each OT and PT class will be able to participate in a Clinical Education/Fieldwork opportunity in Northwestern Ontario during the two-year program. There is also the opportunity to complete both academic and placement components of one term/unit in Northwestern Ontario. For more information about the NSS Program, please visit http://www.srs-mcmaster.ca/ in the ‘Programs’ section. For their final placement, students may qualify to apply to an international placement and our students have taken part in many exciting placement opportunities all around the globe.

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What is a conditional offer of admission, and how am I able to clear this condition and receive a firm offer of admission?
 
Conditions will be one of two things:

• Completion of your undergraduate degree 
• Completion of any course taken beyond your undergraduate degree, if the course is a pre-requisite.

Conditions will be cleared once you have conferred your undergraduate degree and your final transcripts have been received.

Please note that all students are granted a conditional admission based on receiving proof of a clear Police Check (as defined by the Police Check Policy - please review our Admissions  Policies and Procedures webpage for more information).
 
How is deferral of admission viewed?
 
According to the policy of the School of Graduate Studies, deferral of admission for the OT and PT programs is not granted. Applicants are advised to apply to the OT and PT programs during the year that they are able to attend.

Acceptance Fee
 
Applicants being offered admission must complete the online offer of acceptance to McMaster University and pay a non-refundable deposit fee (acceptance fee) of CAD $500.00 by credit card online by the offer deadline date. 
 
This fee will be deducted from the tuition following registration and entry into the program.
 
Financial Obligations
 
Please visit the following website to see the most recent tuition fees for the programs:
http://www.mcmaster.ca/bms/student/SAC_fees.htm 
 
Can I work during the two years?
 
The programs we offer are intensive and demanding. Each student has a personal method of time management and varying priorities. Most students in the OT and PT programs find it difficult to manage on-going part-time employment.

Assuming I am accepted, may I get help finding a place to live?
 
The McMaster University Off-Campus Housing office and the International Student Services office may assist in arranging accommodation close to the university. You may find information on housing via the website: http://www.mcmaster.ca/ by selecting one of the two office options mentioned above.

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What is the employment rate of graduates?
 
Graduates of the OT and PT programs have obtained jobs in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, chronic care facilities, nursing homes, schools, industry, home care programs, mental health facilities, private clinics and rehabilitation companies. The employment rate of graduates from the School of Rehabilitation Science after graduation varies year to year, depending on economic context. 
 
Employers consistently rate McMaster OT and PT graduates highly. Examples of employer’s statements include:

“McMaster grads bring a unique set of skills to the work place even as new grads. They take on tasks and know how to find the resources they need to get a job done.”
 
How much will I make as a professional practitioner?
 
Applicants are recommended to call the following organizations to obtain current information for salaries in various sectors of the professions.

OT: Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists at (613) 523-2268

PT: Canadian Physiotherapy Association at (613) 564-5454

The respective website for CAOT (http://www.caot.ca) and/or CPA (http://www.physiotherapy.ca) may also provide salary information.

Can we work in the United States or another country after we graduate?
You will need to contact the Licensing Board of the state or country you wish to obtain employment in for additional information.

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