How to Write a Winning Occupational Therapy (OT) Personal Statement

Writing a strong personal statement for an Occupational Therapy (OT) or Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program is a key part of your application. This is your chance to show admissions committees who you really are beyond your transcripts, test scores, or application fields —your motivation, passion, and understanding of the occupational therapy profession.

Keep scrolling to see tips on what you should do and should not do while writing your personal statement, as well as a full example to provide some guidance.

Tips for writing a strong personal statement

Understand the Purpose or “Why”

Admissions committees want to know:

Why you are passionate about becoming an OT or OTA
How your experiences have prepared and inspired you
That you understand the profession
That you will be a dedicated and empathetic future practitioner

Start with a Personal Story or Moment

Open with a personal, memorable story that sparked your interest in OT. Be specific and avoid generic statements. Talk about:

A meaningful encounter with an OT/OTA
A family member navigating an injury, disability, or illness
An impactful volunteering or shadowing experience

Example:
“When I was in middle school, I watched my younger brother learn how to hold a spoon and feed himself —thanks to the support of his occupational therapist. That moment inspired me to pursue a career in occupational therapy.”

Show You Understand the Profession

Demonstrate your knowledge of what OTs and OTAs do, including:

Holistic, client-centered care
Helping people participate in daily and meaningful activities
Collaborating with other professionals
Working across the lifespan (from pediatrics to geriatrics)

Highlight Relevant Skills and Qualities

Think about how your school, work, volunteer, or life experiences have shaped you. Demonstrate how your strengths align with OT. Think about:

Empathy and compassion
Communication and listening
Problem-solving and adaptability
Patience and resilience
Creativity and resourcefulness

Connect Your Experiences to Your Career Goals

Explain how your education, volunteer, extracurriculars, and/or work background has prepared you for success:

Coursework (e.g., psychology, anatomy, human development)
Shadowing, caregiving, or clinical experience
Community service or advocacy
Teamwork or leadership roles

End Strong

Wrap up with a strong ending, a vision for your future—where you hope a career in occupational therapy will take you and how you’ll contribute to the field.

Example:
“I am eager to continue growing as a compassionate, creative occupational therapy practitioner who empowers clients to reclaim their independence and thrive in daily life.”

Things to avoid when writing your personal statement:

Don’t Plagiarize

We have provided an example personal statement below to help guide your writing. You will likely see additional examples or templates online. Do not use any of these verbatim or word-for-word. Programs can easily find out and disqualify your application.

Don’t Mention Specific Programs in Your Personal Statement (if Using OTCAS or OTACAS)

Your personal statement will be sent to each program you apply to. This will not make sense and will look like an error.

Don’t Focus on Negatives

This is a time to show how you stand out. Do not mention a low GPA, GRE score, or lack of volunteer or work experience, unless you are certain that you can put a positive spin on your situation.

Don’t Just List Out Your Resume

Do not simply list every volunteer experience, extra curricular activity, or relevant course. Showcase how certain experiences enhanced your understanding and commitment to occupational therapy.

Don’t Ignore the Prompt or Requirements

Be mindful of specific writing prompts or questions on each application. Do not exceed word or character limits. Ignoring any of this could disqualify your application.

Don’t Submit Without Proofreading

Try to avoid spelling and grammatical errors. You do not want to make a poor impression. Consider reading your personal statement aloud or asking someone else to review before submission.

Sample Personal Statement for OT/OTA Application

From the moment I began volunteering at an early intervention clinic, I discovered my passion for occupational therapy. Watching children work toward and achieve their developmental milestones opened my eyes to the transformative power of compassionate, individualized care. Every breakthrough and every small victory strengthened my desire to dedicate my life to helping children with special needs overcome challenges and thrive.

At the early intervention clinic, I observed numerous occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy sessions, which helped me learn the importance of collaborating with other team members and disciplines to enhance client outcomes. I had the opportunity to consult with occupational therapists in designing and implementing developmentally appropriate activities that encouraged both physical and cognitive growth. I vividly remember shadowing an occupational therapist working with a young child who struggled with fine motor skills; together, we engaged in playful activities that gradually boosted her confidence and independence. These moments were inspiring and reinforced my commitment to a field where I could make a lasting difference in the lives of children and their families.

My experience at the clinic taught me the value of a holistic, client-centered approach to therapy. I witnessed firsthand how tailored interventions can empower children to meet their goals, whether it is improving their motor skills, cognitive skills, self-help skills, or social interactions. These experiences sparked a deep interest in understanding the intricate relationship between physical function, cognitive development, and environmental influences. I realized that occupational therapy is not just about facilitating physical improvements—it’s about nurturing a child’s overall well-being and potential.

In addition to my hands-on experience, I have pursued academic and extracurricular opportunities that have prepared me for a career in occupational therapy. Courses in child development and psychology have built a solid theoretical framework, while my volunteer work has honed my skills in patience, empathy, and creativity. I am eager to expand my knowledge and clinical skills through your program, which I know will further equip me to serve children with special needs effectively and help me learn what occupational therapy looks like across the lifespan.

I am especially drawn to your program because of its reputation for comprehensive fieldwork and its commitment to innovative, client-focused care. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn from leading practitioners and work in diverse clinical settings where I can continue to grow both professionally and personally.

Thank you for considering my application. I am excited to embark on this journey and look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the field of occupational therapy by helping children achieve their fullest potential.