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Recalibrating Readiness: Pandemic Impact on OT Admissions

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Title: Recalibrating Readiness: Pandemic Impact on OT Admissions
Language: English
Authors: Bridget J. Hahn, Kajol Patel, Jacquelyn A. Siegel, Jessica Rappaport, Michelle McFall-Johnsen, Kia Ashley Burks
Source: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 2026 10(1).
Availability: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Occupational Therapy, Allied Health Occupations Education, College Admission, COVID-19, Pandemics, College Applicants, Doctoral Programs, Individual Characteristics, Admission Criteria, College Entrance Examinations, Minority Groups, Grade Point Average, Experience, Interviews
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Graduate Record Examinations
ISSN: 2573-1378
Abstract: This study explored shifts in occupational therapy applicant characteristics across two distinct time periods: pre- and post-COVID-19, while also describing admissions policy changes implemented by an urban Midwestern Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program. Retrospective data from admissions records from 917 applicants (2017-2024) were grouped into pre-COVID (2017-2020) and post-COVID (2021-2024). Academic, pre-professional, interview, and underrepresented minority (URM) status was compared using independent t-tests and chi-square analyses. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) and research experience increased post-pandemic, while preprofessional experience and interview performance declined. The proportion of URM applicants rose significantly from 8.1% pre-COVID to 18.6% post-COVID. These demographic and academic shifts coincided with changes to admissions criteria, most notably, the elimination of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) requirement, reduced observation hour expectations, and a transition to virtual interviews, which likely broadened access and influenced applicant composition. Overall, findings suggest that while certain academic indicators improved, experiential readiness declined, reflecting evolving applicant profiles in the wake of systemic and policy-level changes. As occupational therapy programs continue to refine holistic admissions practices, attention to inclusivity, readiness, and targeted student supports will be critical to ensuring success in the post-pandemic educational landscape.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502411
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Recalibrating Readiness: Pandemic Impact on OT Admissions
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bridget+J%2E+Hahn%22">Bridget J. Hahn</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kajol+Patel%22">Kajol Patel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jacquelyn+A%2E+Siegel%22">Jacquelyn A. Siegel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jessica+Rappaport%22">Jessica Rappaport</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Michelle+McFall-Johnsen%22">Michelle McFall-Johnsen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kia+Ashley+Burks%22">Kia Ashley Burks</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Occupational+Therapy+Education%22"><i>Journal of Occupational Therapy Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 10(1).
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  Data: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
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  Data: This study explored shifts in occupational therapy applicant characteristics across two distinct time periods: pre- and post-COVID-19, while also describing admissions policy changes implemented by an urban Midwestern Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program. Retrospective data from admissions records from 917 applicants (2017-2024) were grouped into pre-COVID (2017-2020) and post-COVID (2021-2024). Academic, pre-professional, interview, and underrepresented minority (URM) status was compared using independent t-tests and chi-square analyses. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) and research experience increased post-pandemic, while preprofessional experience and interview performance declined. The proportion of URM applicants rose significantly from 8.1% pre-COVID to 18.6% post-COVID. These demographic and academic shifts coincided with changes to admissions criteria, most notably, the elimination of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) requirement, reduced observation hour expectations, and a transition to virtual interviews, which likely broadened access and influenced applicant composition. Overall, findings suggest that while certain academic indicators improved, experiential readiness declined, reflecting evolving applicant profiles in the wake of systemic and policy-level changes. As occupational therapy programs continue to refine holistic admissions practices, attention to inclusivity, readiness, and targeted student supports will be critical to ensuring success in the post-pandemic educational landscape.
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      – Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 20
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Occupational Therapy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Occupations Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Admission
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      – SubjectFull: COVID-19
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      – SubjectFull: Pandemics
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      – SubjectFull: College Applicants
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Doctoral Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Individual Characteristics
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      – SubjectFull: Admission Criteria
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      – TitleFull: Recalibrating Readiness: Pandemic Impact on OT Admissions
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              Y: 2026
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