Additional Selection Criteria

Because class sizes in O&P programs are limited, having O&P related experience may make your application stand above the rest. Volunteering or working in an O&P provider office, will offer a direct glimpse into the world of O&P. Volunteer sites and willing mentors are as close as your Yellow Pages or may be found on this site. The most important aspect of volunteering is that you will see if working with people who have disabilities is really for you. You will also get to observe the skills required for the profession, and possibly get the chance to fabricate with plaster and plastics, using various hand and power tools.

Many O&P practitioners came to the profession because they are users of orthotic or prosthetic devices. Real life user experience not only brings diversity to the O&P educational programs, but your connection with the field will aid in your understanding of the profession and the skills required.

If you have done a special thesis, capstone, or graduate project in prosthetics or orthotics, this may help the admission process.

If you are a practicing physical therapist, occupational therapist or are experienced in another allied health profession, a large portion of your skill set may be transferable to the O&P profession. If you are an expert in biomechanics, kinesiology, engineering, or another field which contributes to the understanding of force couples, kinetics, gait, or materials science you may be well suited for the O&P profession.

NOTE: Although no one additional selection criteria will assure admission, generally the most effective preparation (in addition to the prerequisites) is direct clinical observation, assistance, and technical work in an O&P facility. Each program evaluates this prior O&P experience differently.