Anika Hansen is applying to occupational therapy programs. She started her undergraduate career interested in forensic pathology but struggled in her pre-med classes and lost interest. Through reflection, she realized she enjoyed volunteering and helping others. After shadowing occupational therapists, she discovered it was a good fit that combined her passion for helping others and interest in science and medicine. She changed her major to psychology and has been actively involved in research projects and extracurricular activities related to OT. Her GPA has risen from 2.3 to 2.9 and she believes her experiences have prepared her well for graduate study and a career in occupational therapy.

1. Anika Hansen
Occupational Therapy
Undergraduate Major: Psychology
GPA: 2.916
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As long as I can remember, I have always valued helping and supporting others. When I was a child my
parents raised me in a way that encouraged me to be mindful of my surroundings. At a young age I became aware of
others and how people interacted with one another and their environment. I also was an investigator, needing to
know reasons for why people act and behave the way they do, and what may have been the reasoning that resulted
in people’s actions. By being aware of my surroundings I have been able to connect to many people on a personal
level. Throughout my childhood I was a caring and loving friend, an articulate student, an involved volunteer, and I
had a passion to help others whenever I could.
It was this passion to help others that sparked my interest in becoming a Veterinarian. I grew up going to
work with my mom at the veterinary clinic and I fell in love with animals. I had always been interested in science
but soon I changed career paths. Forensic Pathology caught my eye, and I began my college career with this
mindset. What appealed to me most about Forensic Pathology was not just gaining knowledge of the human body or
the autopsies I would perform, but finding answers to questions that could help family members and friends find
closure. Just like with being a Veterinarian, Forensic Pathology had one main aspect in common – helping others.
However,to my surprise my study skills needed enhancing and I did not feelvery happy. I began to lose interest in
my pre-med classes. My GPA was low and my social ties were down. As a result I became very nervous about
being able to become successful,but I powered through and began my sophomore year with the same career field in
mind; Forensic Pathology. Soon I realized my interests and skills were not going hand in hand and that was the
reason for my and loss of interest and purpose in my classes and the career field of Forensic Pathology. I began to
reflect on my life and what I truly wanted out of it.
As I assessed my values, interests and skills, I came to realize that I enjoyed volunteering and helping those
less fortunate than myself. I had been volunteering at a nearby nursing home and helping at a therapeutic riding
organization. I also was involved in many service activities on campus and thoroughly enjoyed my involvement.
This reflection allowed me to realize there had to be a career field that could combine my passion to help and work
with others but also had a science and medical aspect. I researched health related professions and learned what
Occupational Therapy is and the requirements needed to get into OT school. I took the opportunity to shadow at a
medical center and was able to converse with practicing OT’s and observed the work they did with patients. This
experience allowed me to learn more about this profession and I realized that Occupational Therapy was a great fit
for me. My heart felt light again, I was smiling more, and I had finally found what I had been searching for.
Occupational Therapy is a profession that helps all types of people of all ages and of all abilities. It is about one on
one interaction and assisting patients to obtain their goals that will benefit their quality of life.

2. Anika Hansen
Occupational Therapy
Undergraduate Major: Psychology
GPA: 2.916
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After having a chance to think it over I changed my major to Psychology, and ever since I have had my eye
on becoming an Occupational Therapist. All of my classes have been intriguing and relatable to this career field. I
have enhanced my interpersonal skills and have become more engaged in how others may think, feel, or act. I
became involved in the Psychology Club at my school and have had many research opportunities. It has been an
honor working with three different professors on a total of six research projects in my three semesters as a
Psychology major. Three of these projects I presented at the Minnesota Undergraduate Psychology Conference and
one was presented by my co-author at the Association of Psychological Science. There are currently two projects
under consideration to become published articles. My GPA also shows my rigor and commitment. I began my
Psychology major with a 2.3 GPA and three semesters later I have raised it to a 2.9 GPA that I know will continue
to rise during my final two semesters. Overall,I believe the rigorous liberal arts education I have received at Luther
College has assisted me in becoming a well-rounded student who is prepared for the rigor of graduate school.
Not only have my Psychology classes helped me prepare for this new journey ahead, but my volunteer and
work experiences have truly pushed me toward the direction I wish to go. Since committing to OT I have continued
to regularly volunteer at nursing homes, therapeutic riding organizations, and the humane society. There are many
more organizations I have become involved in, including the Council for Exceptional Children in which I am the
president. I am also the service chair of my sorority and organize various volunteer events. It has been a joy to work
the past two summers at camps for people with varying abilities and to have provided daily care and conducted
therapeutic and recreational exercises with campers. I also work regularly during the school year with four clients
with Down syndrome, ADHD,ODD,and Autism. I feel I am prepared to take on the challenging yet rewarding
career of an OT.
Overall, I believe my life experiences have allowed me to understand and assist others in a more personable
way. My volunteer and work experiences have challenged me yet provided me with a vast array of skills and
knowledge. The passion for helping others that I have always valued will assist me with staying intrigued and
committed to the Occupational Therapy career. I know I am capable of becoming a successfulgraduate student in
this most helpful and innovative career field. There are so many things in life we take for granted, and I believe it is
our duty to help those who struggle with everyday tasks. I believe we are all capable of great things, and we can
challenge our abilities and ourselves to obtain the unthinkable. It would be an honor to be a part of the journey that
patients will travel to achieve their goals.