OTD Direct Entry

Direct Entry Path

Before applying to the OTD Direct Entry Program, students must first be admitted to Trine University. Once admitted, you will receive a direct entry application via email specifically for the OTD Direct Entry Program. To proceed with the OTD Direct Entry application, students must meet the program’s direct entry requirements. To align with students interests four pathways are offered. Available pathways include Exercise Science, Applied Health Science, Educational Studies, or Psychology.

  1. High school transcript showing a minimum of a 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale)
  2. Two letters of recommendation
  3. Personal Essay- Candidates must complete a personal essay explaining why they desire to pursue an occupational therapy career. The submission should summarize lessons learned from personal life experiences or interactions/observations with healthcare professionals.
  4. Evidence of Preparation: At the end of the candidate’s sophomore year at Trine, the candidate will submit evidence of preparation to the OTD program. Candidates will reflect on completed undergraduate courses to rate readiness in 4 category areas. Submitted courses must have a 3.0 or higher course grade. Applicants should reflect on undergraduate courses to rate readiness in 4 category areas to ensure preparation for an entry-level OTD program. Applicants must select and submit at least one course from their transcript that applies to each category below. For submitted courses, the applicant will rate their understanding of each area using a 5-point Likert scale and provide a description addressing how the selected courses relate to occupational therapy and career goals.
    • Professional writing 
    • Human nature 
    • Research, statistics, medical terminology
    • Behavioral sciences
  5. Participate in a program interview, virtual or onsite.

Once accepted as an undergraduate student at Trine University, a candidate will complete the application for Direct Entry into the OTD program and agree to technical standards. A direct entry student must maintain a 3.0 GPA during their undergraduate studies. 

Ongoing advising will be completed with a member of the OTD faculty each semester to ensure continued progress towards direct entry admission.

Early Admission Path

Existing students must complete an application for early admission for one of the three existing pathways (Exercise Science, Applied Health Science, or Psychology).  Using Trine's online application portal, please review and submit the following items below to complete the application process for Trine University’s OTD Program.

  1. Trine University transcript (sophomores and juniors) showing a minimum of a 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale)
  2. Two letters of recommendation
  3. Personal Essay- Candidates must complete a personal essay explaining why they desire to pursue an occupational therapy career. The submission should summarize lessons learned from personal life experiences or interactions/observations with healthcare professionals.
  4. Evidence of Preparation: At the end of the candidate’s sophomore year at Trine, the candidate will submit evidence of preparation to the OTD program. Candidates will reflect on completed undergraduate courses to rate readiness in 4 category areas. Submitted courses must have a 3.0 or higher course grade. Applicants must select and submit at least one course from their transcript that applies to each category below. For submitted courses, the applicant will rate their understanding of each area using a 5-point Likert scale and provide a description addressing how the selected courses relate to occupational therapy and career goals. Submitted courses must have a 3.0 or higher course grade.
    • Professional writing 
    • Human nature 
    • Research, statistics, medical terminology
    • Behavioral sciences
  5. Participate in a program interview, virtual or onsite.

The OTD Program cannot accept students until notified by ACOTE in December 2024/ January 2025. Once an admission decision is communicated, the applicant will receive a packet with a formal letter of admission and a letter of intent. After signing and dating the letter of intent, please return it to Trine with the enrollment deposit.

By signing the letter of intent, the candidate acknowledges the agreement to adhere to the technical standards of the pathway. An early admission student must maintain a 3.0 GPA during their undergraduate studies. 

Ongoing advising will be completed with a member of the OTD faculty each semester to ensure continued progress towards early admission.