We’re glad you’re considering the University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program! To help you with your application, here are a few “insider” tips.
Before You Begin Your Application
To get things started in OTCAS, you will need to start by entering a lot of information about yourself. Having the following documents on hand will make the application process go more smoothly:
- Unofficial transcripts
- Certificates (CPR, first aid, etc.)
- Documentation of awards or honors
- Current resume
- Reference contact information
The Details Matter
Take time to review each section carefully for typographical errors before submitting. Don’t rely on just spellcheck for this. Read what you have entered slowly and deliberately—the Pitt OTD Admissions Committee will be!
Stay focused on you. The admissions committee knows about occupational therapy—what we don’t yet know is your story. Use the application to help us get to know you as an individual. Share your personal experiences, occupations and strengths.
Developing Your Personal Statement
Your personal statement is your opportunity to share your journey in your own voice. Keep the following in mind:
- Structure it clearly. Include an introduction, supporting paragraphs and a conclusion. Use paragraph breaks to signal transitions between ideas.
- Write at a collegiate level. Proofread carefully for spelling, grammar and clarity.
- Answer the prompt fully. The statement should be personal—focus it on your own path to occupational therapy.
- Draw on your experiences. Reflect on how your background, skills and activities have shaped your goals and prepared you for graduate study.
- Tell your story. This is the place in the application for your narrative. Share what brought you here, what you’ve contributed, what you’ve learned and why occupational therapy is the right fit for you.
- Avoid repeating your resume. Use the personal statement to add depth and context that isn’t captured elsewhere in your application.
- A note on AI writing tools: While they can be useful for brainstorming or light editing, we encourage you not to rely on them to write your statement. What makes a personal statement compelling is you—your voice, your story, your words. AI-generated writing often sounds polished but impersonal, and it rarely captures what makes an applicant truly distinct.
The Experiences Section
The Experiences section, found under the Supporting Information tab in OTCAS, is one of the most valuable—and often most underused—parts of the application. It allows you to share a fuller picture of who you are.
These experiences do not need to be directly related to occupational therapy. What matters is that they reflect your interests, roles and the knowledge you’ve gained through meaningful, first-hand involvement.
While this is not a comprehensive overview on how to apply to Pitt OTD, we do offer information sessions to talk about just that! If you want more beyond these tips, consider signing up for an information session during the application cycle. Check out the OTD Events Page to see when the next session is available, or reach out to the OTD enrollment specialist today.