How to Apply

The OTA Program Application Process

To be considered for admission to the OTA Program, the prospective student must:

 

  1. + Attend a Zoom information session.

    For those considering the program, virtual information sessions are held throughout the year. All meetings will be held at 12 p.m. at this Zoom link: https://polk.zoom.us/j/81552732608. Below is a list of dates.

    Information Session dates:

    2026: Aug. 7, Aug. 21, Sept. 4, Sept. 11, Sept. 18, Sept. 25, Oct.2, Oct. 23, Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Dec. 4

    2027: Jan 8, Jan 22, Jan 29, Feb 5, Feb 19, Feb 26, March 5, March 12 March 26, April 2, April 9, April 16, April 23, April 30, May 7, May 14, May 21, May 28, June 11, June 25, July 16, July 30, Aug. 6, Aug. 20, Sept. 10, Sept. 24, Oct. 8, Oct. 22, Nov. 12, Nov. 19, Dec. 3

  2. + Review the admission information in the current college catalog

    OTA Program Essential Requirements, including the technical skills and other abilities necessary for program and career success.

  3. + Complete the following tasks

    To apply to the Polk State College OTA Program, the student must:

    1. Be admitted to Polk State College, with all forms, transcripts and materials submitted.
        • A student who has never attended Polk State College must complete the Polk State College Admission Process before applying to the OTA Program. This includes completing the College’s Online Orientation, submitting transcripts to the Registrar’s Office and obtaining a Polk State College student email account.
        • Transcripts and admission documentation must be submitted and processed by the Registrar’s Office before applying to the OTA Program.
          [Note: This process takes approximately six to eight weeks; the student is advised to complete this step well in advance of the application period.]
        • A student who is transferring must follow the information provided by the Registrar’s Office.
    2. Complete the required prerequisite coursework with a grade of Cor better in each class, obtain a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.5 GPA or higher, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
    3. Complete Program-related Observation Hours.
    4. Submit an up-to-date resume during the application period.
      [Note: If needed, the student can use this Resume Template to assist with developing a document for submission.]
    5.  Submit a completed Polk State College OTA Program Application (including the question form, observation hours, and resume) through Etrieve and await information regarding candidate selections. [Note: The Google Chrome browser is recommended.]After the OTA Selection Committee meets, decisions are sent to the Polk State College email address provided on the application. The Selection Committee meets approximately two weeks after the application window closes. The student should be sure to check the email junk and spam folders for information regarding the application.

    A potential applicant who would like more information is encouraged to email the OTA Program Team (OTA@polk.edu).

    [Note: Polk State College reserves the right to make changes to the OTA Program admission criteria as circumstances require. Every reasonable effort is made to communicate program changes to interested students.

    • Each student admitted into the OTA Program must attend the required New Student Orientation Day.  This event’s date and time are indicated in the acceptance notice sent to the Polk State College email.

    [Note:  An OTA Program student may be required to travel up to (or greater than) 60 miles to clinical sites for program-related training and experiences. A prospective student seeking more information is encouraged to contact the Polk State College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Team (OTA@polk.edu).]

  4. + Submit a completed Polk State College OTA Program Application

    Submit a completed Polk State College OTA Program Application (including the question form, observation hours, and resume) through Etrieve and await information regarding candidate selections. [Note: The Google Chrome browser is recommended.]

    1. All applicants (including Linkage and Veteran Student applicants) must complete the Polk State College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Application and the required materials.
      [Note: With respect and gratitude for all U.S. Military veterans, the OTA Program reserves two seats with each cohort for Veteran Students (and their dependents). The Veterans Agreement provides more information about this initiative. A Veteran Student seeking more information may review the Veteran Information page on the Polk State College website or contact the Veterans’ Office for assistance with applying (veterans@polk.edu).]
    2. After the OTA Selection Committee meets, decisions are sent to the Polk State College email address provided on the application. The Selection Committee meets approximately two weeks after the application window closes. The student should be sure to check the email junk and spam folders for information regarding the application.
    3. A potential applicant who would like more information is encouraged to email the OTA Program Team (OTA@polk.edu).

    [Note: Polk State College reserves the right to make changes to the OTA Program admission criteria as circumstances require. Every reasonable effort is made to communicate program changes to interested students.

  5. + Selection Process

    The Selection Process

    Prospective Linkage Program Candidates:

    • Two seats are allocated to prospective candidates from Pasco-Hernando State College and Hillsborough Community College who apply via the Linkage Program. A Prospective Linkage Student applicant may find detailed instructions in the Linkage Handbook available from an Academic Advisor at the respective college.
    • The Linkage Student must complete a general Polk State College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Application prior to April 15, and submit the Linkage Program documents.
    • The application window for Linkage Student candidates opens at 9:00 a.m. on February 1; it closes on April 15. Selected candidates are notified via electronic mail shortly after April 15.
    • Linkage applicants may submit the electronic application only after meeting with an Academic Advisor at the home college to initiate the Linkage Transmittal Form. The Linkage Transmittal Form must be submitted to Polk State’s Registrar’s Office by April 15. A Linkage Student applicant who neglects to follow this process cannot be considered for admission, and his or her application is not acknowledged.
    • No application may be considered until all necessary Polk State College admission documents have been received and processed by the Registrar’s Office (e.g., application to Polk State College, high school transcripts, college transcripts (if applicable), residency paperwork).
    • Preference is given to the Linkage Student with a higher GPA if more than one qualified applicant from the same institution applies for the same Linkage Program seat.
    • Unused Linkage Program seats revert to usage by General Admission students.

    The Veterans Agreement for Prospective Veteran Students:

    • Two seats are allocated on a first-come, first-qualified basis to prospective qualified veterans (and their dependents) who are enrolled at Polk State College. A Veteran Student applicant must meet with the Coordinator of Veteran Services to determine eligibility before initiating the application process.
    • After establishing eligibility, the student must meet with an Academic Advisor to determine if the criteria for program admission have been met.
    • The Veteran Student must also complete a general Polk State College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Application and all materials prior to April 15.
    • The Academic Advisor then forwards the qualified application and related documents (e.g., Veteran Transmittal Form, OTA Program: Observation Hours Form, student resume, transcripts) directly to the OTA Program Director by April 15.
    • If more than two qualified applicants apply for the Veterans Agreement seats, preference is given to the individuals with the highest GPAs. In the event that two applicants have the same GPA, the seat is assigned to the student who applied first (based on the date and time posted on the OTA Program Application).
    • The two selected Veteran applicants are notified via email shortly after May 1.
    • Any Veteran Student who is not selected for the Veterans Agreement seats has the opportunity to apply again through the General Admission process from May 1 through May 31. A new application must be submitted to be considered through this method.
    • Unassigned Veterans Agreement seats revert to usage by General Admission students.

    General Admission:

    • The remaining seats that are not allocated through the Linkage Program or Veterans Agreement are allocated to qualified students through the General Admission process. A maximum of 24 students are accepted into each OTA Program cohort (based on space availability and other factors).
    • Up to ten additional applicants may be designated as alternates.
    • The application window for General Admission opens February 1 at 9:00 a.m. and remains open until May 31.

    The General Selection Process:

    The OTA Selection Committee utilizes a point system as a guide in the selection of qualified students for the OTA Program. Areas evaluated by the Committee include overall college GPA, prerequisite GPA, Polk County residency, related experiences in the field, and corequisite and General Education courses that have been completed.

    • No application will be considered until all necessary Polk State College admission documents have been received by the Registrar’s Office (e.g., application to Polk State College, high school transcripts, college transcripts (if applicable), residency paperwork).
    • Selected candidates and alternates for General Admission are notified via the Polk State College email on the application in mid-June. The applicant should check his or her account, as well as the junk folder, for this message.
    • Each student admitted into the OTA Program must attend the required New Student Orientation Day.  This event’s date and time are indicated in the acceptance notice sent to the Polk State College email.

    [Note:  An OTA Program student may be required to travel up to (or greater than) 60 miles to clinical sites for program-related training and experiences. A prospective student seeking more information is encouraged to contact the Polk State College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Team (OTA@polk.edu).]