This will be my final blog post on how to enroll in OT graduate school after a significant break from the classroom. Anywhere you apply, letters of recommendation are a requirement. Some of the advice provided below can be used in other areas of life besides graduate school applications, making it useful to learn how to obtain letters of recommendation. You will require references for your personality, character, and professional skills later on in life, I can assure you of that. This will never go away. Trust me on this. You will eventually need to request a personal and professional reference from someone who is not a friend or member of your family. Even though I listed this as the final step, I must stress that you SHOULD NOT DO THIS LAST. In fact, once you have made the decision to return to OT graduate school after a significant break from school, this is one of the simpler things you can begin to do.
I always struggle to decide who to ask whenever I see the instructions to “please submit letters of recommendation” or “provide professional references.” You might feel this way too. This may be the case for some of you because you believe there is no one to ask. You may know who to ask about others, but you’re not sure what they might say. Almost everyone has the issue of not knowing how or when to ask someone once they have an idea of who to ask. Before asking someone to write a recommendation for you, you should address all of these crucial issues on your own or with a reliable friend or mentor.
If you believe that no one can write a recommendation for you because you only know family and friends, are an introvert, or believe that no one would want to speak highly of you as a potential occupational therapist, let me stop you right there. Remember, you’ve already done this process before. You wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t. You did it to get into college. You did it to submit applications for jobs, possibly to rent an apartment, or even to adopt a pet. All have demanded that you obtain a personal reference from someone who is not a member of your family or close friends. Applying to graduate school is no different. In fact, a few of the people you sought out for recommendations in the past might be useful in this circumstance as well. Okay, but what can they possibly say to vouch for me to be an occupational therapist graduate student, you might be thinking? Keep in mind that admissions offices are attempting to determine whether you will benefit from the program and whether you will benefit from the program. They should learn about your motivation for pursuing occupational therapy, your work ethic, and whether you have compassion and empathy. Answering these inquiries with the assistance of those who are familiar with you Making a list of potential sources for these answers was what I did. You should keep in mind that we have been adulting for a while, so we probably know a lot of people who would be happy to recommend you. I considered a former boss, former coworkers, a pastor, a mentor, a fellow volunteer at a charity event I had participated in, and individuals from my previous professional network. When you reflect on the past five, ten, fifteen, or even twenty years after graduating from college, you are sure to name at least one or two individuals.
If you are still having trouble, you will be meeting lots of people as you enroll in classes and engage in volunteer work in order to fulfill the requirements for graduate application. You will interact with people in both places who will be curious about your motivations for switching careers and wanting to become an occupational therapist. People will want to know you. If you haven’t already, introduce yourself to these people. Take them out for coffee, discuss your future with them, and ask them about any problems or questions they may have. Do your best to establish yourself, as challenging as it may be, especially for those of us who are introverted. I know this is hard. But keep in mind that if someone knows you, it will be much simpler for them to write a recommendation for you. I was initially hesitant to interact with new people, but I became friends with a community college instructor who genuinely cared about me. I made an effort to stand out by attending office hours and engaging with people about my career aspirations. I only knew them for a little over a year, but when I was considering who I should ask to write a recommendation for me for graduate school in occupational therapy, they were one of the first people I felt confident could speak to my character and abilities.
Once you have decided who to ask, do not wait. People need a lot of time to write a recommendation. It would be great if you could give them at least a month. Start by calling them or meeting with them in person. Leave a message if you can’t speak with them directly, and then send an email as a follow-up. My conversations were simple because I had already discussed returning to school with a lot of people. In contrast, if it has been a while since you spoke with the person, start by catching up with them. Then, when you get to talking about your current activities, simply say, “Hey, you know how I used to talk about going back to graduate school in occupational therapy, well, I actually am starting to apply to schools now and I was wondering if you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me?”
No one has yet turned down my requests for references or recommendation letters. However, accept it and move on to the next person if someone does decline to write a recommendation. Most likely the reason will be due to time. (When you ask professors who may already be writing a lot of recommendations while also attempting to grade midterms or finals, this frequently occurs. If they do agree to write a letter, be sure to follow up with an email that includes simple instructions on what they must do and a date by which they must complete it. If they haven’t turned in the recommendation by the deadline, check in with them one week beforehand. Finally, regardless of whether you are admitted to graduate school or not, don’t forget to get in touch with them once you find out whether you were admitted or not after they have submitted the recommendation. Thank them once more for their assistance and let them know what to expect next if you are accepted into the school of your choice. Additionally, express your gratitude to them once more and let them know what to expect next if you are not admitted to graduate school. People like to know what happened!.
Oh, and another response you might get when asking individuals to write recommendations is for you to write the recommendation on their behalf. I always find this to be odd. It removes the suspense of what they will say, but it also implies that they hardly know you or have much to say about you. In either case, they are merely giving their approval for you to recommend yourself rather than actually endorsing you. Which is strange. I don’t do this but know people who have….
Just so you know, I ended up asking three people who are very important to me for my application. I requested assistance from a former pastor I had worked with on volunteer projects. I questioned a former boss I had known for years. It’s ironic because we just had a protracted phone conversation the other day. I also questioned the amazing occupational therapist I spent a lot of time observing while volunteering at an inpatient rehab during my journey to return to school. But I had a list of about six individuals I felt confident asking for recommendations or references. I stay in touch with them and am incredibly appreciative of their assistance.
I’m hoping you’ve developed similar connections with sincere, kind people who are willing to encourage you in your professional growth and tell you how wonderful an occupational therapist and graduate student you would be. If this hasn’t happened yet, start it right now by getting in touch with old friends or, if possible, forming new ones. I sincerely hope that this blog post, along with the ones I wrote before, were helpful to you as you continue to figure out how to attend OT graduate school. I wish you luck as you return to school after a long absence. Remember it’s never too late to start something new!.
How to write an occupational therapy letter of recommendation in 5 steps
The following five steps will help you write a letter of recommendation for occupational therapy:
1. Ask the candidate for information
Whether you know the candidate well or not, it’s important to get some information from them. This might include their background in work or education or their accomplishments. With this knowledge, you can create a thorough and impressive recommendation letter. Even if you are familiar with the applicant well, it can still be useful to find out some information, such as how many years of experience they have. Think about requesting their resume so you can review it. Additionally, you could inquire about the position you are applying for so that you can properly address the letter.
2. Create a header
Begin your letter by creating a header. Your letter will appear more professional and will be delivered to the right person if it has a header. List the recipient’s name, occupation, and company in the document’s top left-hand corner. Underneath this information, add the date. After creating your header, you can use “Dear” before the reader’s first and last name to address them. You can use “Hiring manager” if you don’t know their name. “.
3. Add an introduction
In your first paragraph, add an introduction. This sentence introduces you and details how you became acquainted with the candidate. Include your name and job title in addition to your first and last names. Include a statement in the introduction if you were the candidate’s manager or professor You can also express why youre recommending the candidate. Give the hiring manager their first and last names so they know who you are recommending.
4. Summarize the candidates qualifications
Next, write a paragraph or two outlining the candidate’s credentials. A letter of recommendation should emphasize why the candidate is the best choice for the position. By including their credentials, the applicant demonstrates to the hiring manager how qualified they are. When you write this, try to use concrete examples to highlight the candidate’s impressive qualities. You could, for instance, talk about how they act at work or in class or their skill set.
5. Write a conclusion
Reiterate your support for the candidate in the final paragraph of your letter of recommendation. Briefly describe the candidate’s strengths and why you think they’d be a good fit for the position. Indicate to the hiring manager that they can get in touch with you if they have any further questions by providing your phone number and email address. Put “Sincerely” or “Warm regards” at the end of the letter, then add your first and last names, your job title, and the company.
What to include in an occupational therapy letter of recommendation
Here are some details to include in a letter of recommendation for occupational therapy:
Template for an occupational therapy letter of recommendation
You can use the following model to create your own occupational therapy letter of recommendation:
[Recipients name]
[Recipients job title]
[Recipients organization]
[Date]
[Dear recipients name].
[Write a brief introduction that mentions your name, position, and how you became acquainted with the applicant. ].
[In one or two paragraphs, briefly describe the candidate’s credentials, such as their training, work history, or skills. Try to use specific and measurable examples. ].
[In your conclusion, reiterate your support for the candidate. List your contact information if possible and let the hiring manager know they can get in touch with you to learn more about the applicant. ].
[Sincerely],
[Your first and last name]
[Job title]
[Organization]
Example of an occupational therapy letter of recommendation
Consider using the following sample occupational therapy letter of recommendation as a model:
Owen Montgomery
Hiring manager
Robert E. Clinic
December 17, 2021
Dear Mr. Montgomery,
My name is Janice Wittman. It has been a pleasure to teach Jake Smith’s physiology and kinesiology classes at Frankton University while he pursued a career in occupational therapy. I’m proud to endorse Jake for the position of occupational therapist at Robert E. Clinic. Jake demonstrated what it meant to be an excellent student who was passionate about his studies while I was his teacher.
Jake, who passed the prerequisite exam at a young age, took my advanced classes while he was a sophomore in college, which is impressive. Despite the challenging course material, Jake was committed to doing well. He never missed class, which impressed me with his commitment and dependability. Jake always had questions for me, which made me think he was interested in doing well. I acted as Jake’s mentor and assisted him in selecting an occupational therapy program during his senior year of college. Since we remained in touch throughout OT school, I was delighted to assist when asked to write this letter.
I believe Jake has the abilities, expertise, and enthusiasm to make an excellent occupational therapist. I believe hed make amazing contributions to Robert E. It would be a great opportunity to accept him at this time at the clinic. Please contact me at (555)-555-5555 or Janice. Wittman@email. com if you have additional questions.
Sincerely,
Janice Wittman
Physiology and kinesiology professor
Frankton University
YOUR OT PERSONAL STATEMENT
FAQ
How do you ask an occupational therapist for a letter of recommendation?
Ask the professor to write you a LOR in the form of a question rather than a statement. Always ask the question directly. Afterall, you are “asking” for a LOR. You shouldn’t conclude the email by saying, “I’m hoping you can write me a letter of recommendation for graduate school.” ” — this is not a question.
What should a good letter of recommendation include?
A letter of recommendation ought to explain your relationship to the person being recommended, the reasons they should be trusted, and any particular qualifications they may have. Specifics. It’s beneficial to give specific examples and anecdotes to support your claims whenever possible.
Can therapists give letters of recommendation?
- Contact Information. Your header at the top of the page should include your name, address, and phone number.
- Salutation. …
- Opening paragraph. …
- Applicant’s achievements. …
- Applicant’s personal traits and characteristics. …
- Explanation of applicant’s departure (optional) …
- Closing paragraph. …
- Sign-off.
