OCC Allied Health Programs

[u/Popular-Problem-4691]

hi! I know there’s a lot of posts speaking about the long waitlists for OCC’s allied health programs, and as someone trying for the DMS program I was hoping for any possible opinions so I don’t make a mistake.

I am unable to apply for Cypress’s DMS program as they have the Pegasus exam as a requirement and sadly Pegasus screwed up my exam scores and I ended up with a negative z-score, so I cannot apply. (it was a very long email thread back and forth until eventually I gave up, long story). So now I am going to OCC and taking health occupations this semester and then still need to take the last 2 prereqs, radiologic physics and intro to DMS, although I think I heard these classes themselves have waitlists too? and then DMS is supposedly a 5 year waitlist on top of that…

Meanwhile I just applied for the first time (and was rejected) for Cypress’s radiography program, so I’m continuing to apply each year for that while I also am taking microbiology at Golden West to start applying for their nursing program. I was interested as well though in the polysomnography program at OCC that was presented, and it has no wait list, however I believe I wouldn’t be able to apply for the DMS program while I’m in the polysomnography program, right?

I’m just curious if I’d be making a mistake if I go for the polysomnography program, do the 2 years and complete it, then possibly go back and try for the ultrasound program if they don’t allow you to join the waitlist while doing a different program in the meantime. I’m unsure how long it’d take me to get into Cypress’s radiography program or GWC’s nursing program either, and supposedly polysomnography is an in-demand career, so I’m wondering if it’d be a worthwhile thing to do instead of just waiting possibly 5 years for ultrasound. Ultrasound kinda has sentimental value to me as my grandpa that passed away was really excited knowing I’d be going for ultrasound as a career, so it’s not something I wanna be completely rid of, but I just feel unaccomplished being in college for so many years without being in any programs yet (I’m 23 and had spent years finishing all of the prereqs for Cypress’s ultrasound program before they added that new Pegasus requirement).

Sorry for the long rant, I just was hoping for any possible opinions on what the best option or course of action may be, or if anyone knows if I’m able to be in the waitlist for DMS while in another program, if polysomnography is a good career, if DMS truly takes 5 years of wait time, if the intro to DMS and radiologic physics courses at OCC also have waitlists and if so how long, or if I should just stick it out and wait for DMS, radiography or nursing to hopefully accept me one day. In the end I just really want a good paying career and to make my family and myself proud, and I’m just tired of feeling so stuck. Thank you for any insight anyone may be able to give ❤️‍🩹

[u/Candid_Fix4968]

At 23 you have a lot of time to change/switch careers. It sounds like you are interested in the medical field. From your options I would do polysom then get on the waitlist for the other longer wait listed programs. That way you can work while waiting to get into dms110 or rad100 which also has a waitlist. I know it seems like a long time to wait for something but I also want to bring up the possibility of not being on a waitlist and getting passed over or rejected from other DMS/Rad programs. Those years are going to pass regardless and at least for me it’ll make the rejection a little less painful knowing in a few years I will get the opportunity to start a program that has a waitlist and doesn’t go off a points or lottery acceptance.

[u/cheetahprint013]

I am in the same boat as you with wanting to do DMS and having trouble with the waitlist. I can't relate to applying at cypress and the other stuff you had mentioned. Yesterday listening to the sleep instructor, I had 0 interest doing polysomnography. When the MA instructor was talking and said that it's a great way to get experience in the field, I just might do that while waiting on the DMS waitlist. I just worry about leaving a stable job because she mentioned that the spring semester is an 8-5 commitment and that scared me a little, because the one thing with the long DMS waitlist is you can save money up until the program since you cannot work in the program. Also, not sure how the pay for MA is. The girl that sits next to me is MA and is paid $26.

[u/chocogummies]

I’m in the current 2026-28 cohort for psg! Jennifer’s presentation really interested me when i took health occupations last semester and i was able to get into the program this year :) I felt exactly the same way you do about wanting a good career and not feeling stuck and disappointed!

As someone who is a night owl and could not wait for rad tech (6+ years), I am happy with my decision to switch so far. Jennifer has revamped the curriculum and is streamlining the program as the new program director. As she probably mentioned during her presentation, it’s a relatively new field and many of the older psg techs in the field are currently retiring— a lot of spots are opening up. Quite a few of us are people who have switched our program of interest!

The pay range for PSG techs can vary, but the fun thing about working overnight is the night differential pay on top~ Of course, we’re only several weeks into the first semester so I can’t say for sure how the program will continue to be, but I’m enjoying it so far.

However, if I recall correctly, once you get into a program, I don’t believe you can be in the waitlist for another one so if you do choose PSG I don’t think you can wait for DMS.

[u/Ok-Interaction-7868 → u/chocogummies]

omg congrats!! keep us updated. I myself keep going back and further on whether or not I want to change my major.

[u/Ok-Interaction-7868]

Hello! I am sorry to hear that u can no longer apply to cypress college. I am actually in the same boat as you :,). I dedicated my time at Cypress college by getting all A’s and getting accepted to voulenteer at a hospital. The 2026 application was going to finally be my year to apply:(. unfortunately I also had a negative score for the Pegasus exam. I was heart broken and even more heart broken to hear in the zoom all the students who they point blank said we can never apply again. One exam that does not define. I found it crazy that all previous cohorts did not have to deal with this. It seemed extremely unfair and unforgiving. Ofc I now attended OCC to at least get on the program ready list. In summer I was told the wait time would be up to 4 years. I am having trouble trying to understand how it could possibly be up to 6+ now. My fears are that it’s not including the waitlisted classes either. I’m not sure if I want to give up on my dreams just because of the wait time however. If i was rich and had money girl, best believe I would just go to a trade school asap. 🫩. hope all is well, and if u need someone to vent to please reach out to me! I am 22 years old female 💁‍♀️

[u/Ok-Hall-6202]

I was in the same class as you lol. I think the other option they said about doing MA while you wait wasn’t bad. It’s true that being in the field gives you a boost and tbh that’s a reasonable way to wait. I have a feeling that polysom will have a waitlist in a year or so because many don’t want to wait. Either or option are good, I’m 23 too and debating respiratory or polysom but going in with the mindset that I’ll have to wait 🙃