Class of 2024

[eyedeal.od]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 7/24/19 (for ICO, AZCOPT, and UIWRSO), 7/31/19 (for SCCO)
Date verified: 7/25/19 (for ICO, AZCOPT, and UIWRSO), 8/5/19 (for SCCO)
OAT Scores: 380 AA, 390 TS
Major: Chemistry (w/ Fine Arts minor)
GPA: 3.84 cumulative, 3.77 overall science
Extracurricular Activities: 1 year as an optometric technician, combined 80+ hours shadowing private practice and retail, lots of volunteer experience, treasurer of Intercultural Student Network, campus ministry, Carroll Outreach Team, president of Circle K, chemistry lab aide, library aide
Schools applied: ICO, UIWRSO, AZCOPT, SCCO
Interviews extended/date: AZCOPT (7/26), UIWRSO (8/1), SCCO (8/5), ICO (8/22)
Interviews accepted: AZCOPT (8/23), SCCO (9/13), ICO (9/27)
Interviews declined: UIWRSO
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: AZCOPT (8/28), SCCO (9/16), ICO (10/7)

I have decided to attend SCCO as a member of the Class of 2024!!

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[Rpeardon94]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 08/15/2019
Date verified: 08/17/2019
OAT Scores: 370 AA/ 400 TS
Major: Health Sciences
GPA: 3.42 cum 3.77 sci
Extracurricular Activities: Pre-opt club, military, shadowing, work part time
Schools applied: UHCO, UAB, OSU,
Interviews extended/date: UAB 8/18, OSU 8/16, UHCO 9/28
Interviews accepted: UAB 10/11, OSU 11/22, UHCO 11/4
Interviews declined: Cancelled UHCO and OSU
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: UAB 10/28

I will be attending UAB as a member of the c/o 2024!!

 

[97thaik]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 10/29/19
Date verified: 10/29/19
OAT Scores: TS 370 AA 360
Major: General Biology with a Business minor
GPA: Academic 3.89 Science 3.91
Extracurricular Activities: Scribe/Ophthalmic Technician at OMD/OD office for 1+ years, 20+ hours of shadowing, training LASIK technician, Treasurer/Event Coordinator for Vietnamese Student Association, Biology tutor and class assistant, 2+ years of Chemistry research in Alzheimer's and Synthetic Sealant for Surgery, Published journal in the ACS
Schools applied: NECO, MCPHS
Interviews extended/date: NECO (10/31/19)
Interviews accepted: NECO (11/8/19)
Interviews declined: N/A
Rejections/date: N/A
Acceptance/date: NECO (11/13/19)

Really surprised how fast this is all going. I had finished my OptomCAS back in August, but it has taken me about two months to finalize my personal statement due to other things going on in my life. I submitted it about two days ago and already received an interview from my top school. My advice to anyone would be to make sure everything in your OptomCAS is set (transcripts sent and received, LORs received, etc) so that the verification process can go smoother and quicker.

 

[Optician2OD]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 08/08/2019
Date verified: 08/13/2019
OAT Scores: 320/320
Major: Nutritional Sciences
GPA: 3.29
Extracurricular Activities: volunteer at free clinic, volunteer at after school program, captain of intramural teams, part time job, shadowed 4 doctors at different settings.
Schools applied: NOVA,UAB,ICO,NECO,INDIANA, SAN ANTONIO, SALUS,PACIFIC, SCO
Interviews extended/date: GOT INTERVIEW OFFERS FROM ALL SCHOOLS
Interviews accepted: Nova 09/06, San Antonio 9/13, NECO 9/20, SCO 9/27, UAB 10/4(cancelled)
Interviews declined: ICO, INDIANA, SALUS, PACIFIC
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: NOVA 9/12, UIWRSO 9/19, NECO 9/28, SCO 10/3

Good luck everyone, we all worked hard, enjoy the process.

Which school are you choosing to attend?

 

[Optician2OD]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 6/29/19
Date verified: 7/15/19
OAT Scores: 330 AA 330 TS
Major: Biology
GPA: 3.69
Extracurricular Activities: student government, pre optometry VP, student philanthropy council, patient ambassador program, worked as tech at optometrist office
Schools applied: SCO and UAB
Interviews extended/date: SCO 7/26 and UAB 7/29
Interviews accepted: SCO 9/13
Interviews declined: UAB after getting accepted to SCO
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: SCO 9/18 yay!!!

My top 2 choices as well

 

[eb520]

Decided to finally do one of my own...

Date OptomCAS submitted: 8/06
Date verified: 8/06
OAT Scores: 360AA, 340TS
Major: Neuroscience
GPA: 3.3
Extracurricular Activities: varsity athlete, officer in my sorority, lifeguard, peer mentor, hospital volunteer, 20+ hours of shadowing
Schools applied: IUSO, ICO, SCO, OSU, Salus, UHCO, UAB, UMSL, UIWRSO, NECO
Interviews extended/date: SCO (8/06), Salus (8/07), NECO (8/07), UMSL (8/08), UIWRSO (8/08), OSU (8/09), UAB (8/12), IUSO (8/14)
Interviews accepted: SCO (9/27), Salus (9/09), NECO (9/23), OSU (10/04), UAB (10/11), IUSO (9/06)
Interviews declined: ICO, UHCO, UMSL
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: IUSO, Salus, NECO, SCO (10/3)

Wasn't really keeping track of acceptance dates, but all have been pretty soon after interviewing

OSU Class of 2024!

 

[Optician2OD]

Has anyone been accepted with lower than a 300 OAT score?

 

[wolfpn16]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 8/16
Date verified: 8/19
OAT Scores: 340 AA, 350 TS
Major: Neuroscience
GPA: 3.74 cum, 3.78 sci
Extracurricular Activities: 60+ hours of optometric/ophthalmic shadowing different practices, 1 year (to date) working as optometric tech at an advanced eye clinic, 3+ years of research experience (neuroscience and eye-specific projects), a number of research awards + publications, etc
Schools applied: Salus, UAB, OSU, UMSL, ICO
Interviews extended/date: Salus (8/19), UAB (8/21), OSU (8/28), UMSL (8/22), ICO (8/30)
Interviews accepted: Salus (10/3), UAB (10/11)
Interviews declined: OSU, UMSL, ICO
Rejections/date: N/A
Acceptance/date: Salus (10/5), UAB (10/28)

I was accepted to both schools with awesome scholarships from both! Salus PCO Class of 2024!

 

[fred2020]

Has anyone been accepted with lower than a 300 OAT score?

I had a low score (way below 300) on the physics section and a 300 on 2 more sections and got accepted to all 4 schools I applied to.

 

[Optician2OD]

I had a low score (way below 300) on the physics section and a 300 on 2 more sections and got accepted to all 4 schools I applied to.

Congrats. What schools did you apply to if you don’t mind me asking and what was your GPA?

 

[Eyeloveeyes225]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 7/16/19
Date verified: 7/17/19
OAT Scores: TS 300 AA 310
Major: Biomedical Nutrition
GPA: 3.46
Extracurricular Activities: Pre-optometry club Vice President, Sorority- community service/philanthropy, 1.5 years of work as technician in optometry private practice, other jobs, 30 hrs shadowing, religious group
Schools applied: SCO, IUSO, NOVA, MCO, AZMW
Interviews extended/date: IUSO (7/19/19) AZMW (7/20/19) SCO (7/24/19) NOVA (8/1/19) MCO (11/12/19)
Interviews accepted: IUSO (9/6) SCO (9/9) NOVA (10/4)
Interviews declined: AZMW, MCO
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: SCO (9/10) IUSO( 9/12), NOVA (10/10 )

Going to SCO!!

 

[Optician2OD]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 7/16/19
Date verified: 7/17/19
OAT Scores: TS 300 AA 310
Major: Biomedical Nutrition
GPA: 3.46
Extracurricular Activities: Pre-optometry club Vice President, Sorority, 1.5 years of work as technician in optometry private practice, other jobs, 30 hrs shadowing, religious group
Schools applied: SCO, IUSO, NOVA, MCO, AZMW
Interviews extended/date: IUSO (7/19) AZMW (7/20) SCO (7/24) NOVA (8/1)
Interviews accepted: IUSO (9/6) SCO (9/9) NOVA (10/4)
Interviews declined: AZMW
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: SCO (9/10) IUSO( 9/12), NOVA (10/10 )

Going to SCO!!

Did SCO ask you about your OAT score or ask you to retake?

 

[Eyeloveeyes225]

Did SCO ask you about your OAT score or ask you to retake?

No, they did mention it was low, I was nervous but ended up getting a scholarship as well!

 

[fred2020]

Congrats. What schools did you apply to if you don’t mind me asking and what was your GPA?

UHCO, SCO, UAB, and UIW. My gpa was around 3.66.

 

[Optician2OD]

No, they did mention it was low, I was nervous but ended up getting a scholarship as well!

WOW and congratulations. That’s my dream
School. I did a tour there about 10 years ago with my community college Ophthalmic Technology class. I applied last year with similar stats and 8 years clinical experience (2 being optical and clinic manager) and was still rejected for OAT score without being granted an interview.

 

[markthw33]

Feels good to finally be able to post my information after watching this page grow over the last few months!
Date OptomCAS submitted: 07/19
Date verified: 07/22
OAT Scores: 360 AA, 360 TS
Major: Health Sciences
GPA: 3.20
Extracurricular Activities: Pre-optometry club, club tennis, 90 hours shadowing, worked at LensCrafters, Lion's Club, etc.
Schools applied: SCO, NECO, IUSO, PCO, MCPHS, NOVA, ICO, KYCO, Midwestern CCO
Interviews extended/date: All extended fairly soon after applying, except it took a while to hear from ICO.
Interviews accepted: SCO (9/6), PCO (9/13), NECO (9/27), IUSO (10/18)
Interviews declined: The other five
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: SCO (9/10), PCO (9/19), NECO (10/2), IUSO (10/22)

Going to IUSO after taking a couple weeks to make the hardest decision of my life. Cannot wait to live in Bloomington and get to know my classmates!

 

[Eyeloveeyes225]

WOW and congratulations. That’s my dream
School. I did a tour there about 10 years ago with my community college Ophthalmic Technology class. I applied last year with similar stats and 8 years clinical experience (2 being optical and clinic manager) and was still rejected for OAT score without being granted an interview.

Thank you! I think applying really early helped, good luck!

 

[deleted1011568]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 9/25/2019
Date verified: 9/26/2019
OAT Scores: 320 AA / 310 TS
Major: Neuroscience
GPA: 3.8 overall at current institution; overall including other institutions 3.65; undergraduate science 3.66
Extracurricular Activities: optometric technician; indoor cycling
Schools applied: NECO
Interviews extended/date: NECO (9/28)
Interviews accepted: NECO (10/28)
Interviews declined: N/A
Rejections/date: N/A
Acceptance/date: NECO (11/5)

 

[wolfpn16]

Anyone accepted to Salus care to share what their email said when they were accepted?

They said congratulations and that the formal acceptance letter will be mailed shortly. And that depending on the credentials reviewed by the Admissions Committee a provision may include the completion of prerequisites, letters of recommendation, requests for additional information or retake of the OAT, etc. I had everything turned in really early so I was good in terms of that.

They sent everything via email and mail about a week later, along with student login information and housing stuff if you matriculate!

 

[optogirl619]

SUNY vs. SCCO vs. Berkeley? Pros and cons would be helpful!!!

 

[anonnnnnnnnn123]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 9/07
Date verified: 9/10
OAT Scores: 350 AA, 350 TS
Major: Biology (psych minor)
GPA: 3.5 (science 3.4)
Extracurricular Activities: Not too many-- preoptometry club, notetaker for people with disabilities, daycare volunteering, violin
Schools applied: UIW (9/07), NOVA (09/12, supplement completed 10/5)
Interviews extended/date: UIW (09/16), NOVA (10/14)
Interviews accepted: UIW, NOVA
Interviews declined:
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: UIW (10/16), NOVA (11/07)

(also applied to University of Waterloo)

 

[deleted1011568]

Has anyone been accepted with lower than a 300 OAT score?

I had a sub-300 score on the bio section (but did really well in all my biology courses) and scored exactly 300 in physics and organic chemistry. I only applied to NECO and was accepted.

 

[97thaik]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 9/25/2019
Date verified: 9/26/2019
OAT Scores: 320 AA / 310 TS
Major: Neuroscience
GPA: 3.8 overall at current institution; overall including other institutions 3.65; undergraduate science 3.66
Extracurricular Activities: optometric technician; indoor cycling
Schools applied: NECO
Interviews extended/date: NECO (9/28)
Interviews accepted: NECO (10/28)
Interviews declined: N/A
Rejections/date: N/A
Acceptance/date: NECO (11/5)

Just had my interview there today! Hope to see you in Class of 2024!

 

[deleted1011568]

Just had my interview there today! Hope to see you in Class of 2024!

Thank you! I hope to see you as well. Good luck!!!

 

[Opto_Jivan]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 11/9/19
Date verified: 11/11/19
OAT Scores: 300 AA /290 TS
Major: Biochem
GPA: 3.4, 3.53 Science
Extracurricular Activities: Shadowing, Optometric tech 1.5 years, Volunteer.
Schools applied: Midwestern IL, ICO, NECO, NOVA, PUCO, Western, IUSO.
Interviews extended/date: All of them.
Interviews accepted: ICO, NECO, IUSO
Interviews declined:NOVA, PUCO, Western, Midwestern
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date:IUSO, NOVA, ICO

 

[rnero]

Salus Class of 2024. See you at PCO

 

[eyebeauttty]

Salus Class of 2024. See you at PCO

Same here! See you there!

 

[wolfpn16]

Same here! See you there!

Woohoo! PCO 2024! See you guys there!

 

[koalabear_09]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 08/08/2019
Date verified: 08/13/2019
OAT Scores: 320/320
Major: Nutritional Sciences
GPA: 3.29
Extracurricular Activities: volunteer at free clinic, volunteer at after school program, captain of intramural teams, part time job, shadowed 4 doctors at different settings.
Schools applied: NOVA,UAB,ICO,NECO,INDIANA, SAN ANTONIO, SALUS,PACIFIC, SCO
Interviews extended/date: GOT INTERVIEW OFFERS FROM ALL SCHOOLS
Interviews accepted: Nova 09/06, San Antonio 9/13, NECO 9/20, SCO 9/27, UAB 10/4(cancelled)
Interviews declined: ICO, INDIANA, SALUS, PACIFIC
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: NOVA 9/12, UIWRSO 9/19, NECO 9/28, SCO 10/3

Good luck everyone, we all worked hard, enjoy the process.

NOVA CLASS OF 2024!! This has been the toughest decision I’ve made so far. Good luck to those applying/interviewing. If anyone here is attending NOVA next year, I would love to get to know you guys!

 

[anonnnnnnnnn123]

NOVA CLASS OF 2024!! This has been the toughest decision I’ve made so far. Good luck to those applying/interviewing. If anyone here is attending NOVA next year, I would love to get to know you guys!

aaayyy see you in July!

 

[Optoman2019]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 8/24/19
Date verified: 8/28/19
OAT Scores: 310 AA /300 TS
Major: Biology (Neuroscience)
GPA: 2.75
Extracurricular Activities: 50+ hours scribing/shadowing, optometric tech 6 months, pre-optometry president 2 semesters, volunteer scoutmaster, internship, research experience, anatomy TA.
Schools applied: Midwestern IL, ICO, NECO, Pikeville, IAUPR, SALUS.
Interviews extended/date: Pikeville (11/18/19), NECO (11/19/19), SALUS (11/20/19), IAUPR (11/30/19), Midwestern IL (12/3/19)
Interviews accepted: SALUS, NECO, Pikeville
Interviews declined: Midwestern IL, IAUPR
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: NECO 12/13/19

I was a Communications major for my first two years and bombed all my classes because I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I hope they will look past that, especially because I tried to maintain at least 15 credits every semester when I switched to Biology.

 

[ashhas]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 8/24/19
Date verified: 8/28/19
OAT Scores: 310 AA /300 TS
Major: Biology (Neuroscience)
GPA: 2.75
Extracurricular Activities: 50+ hours scribing/shadowing, optometric tech 6 months, pre-optometry president 2 semesters, volunteer scoutmaster, internship, research experience, anatomy TA.
Schools applied: Midwestern IL, ICO, NECO, Pikeville, IAUPR, Western, SALUS.
Interviews extended/date:
Interviews accepted:
Interviews declined:
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date:

I was a Communications major for my first two years and bombed all my classes because I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I hope they will look past that, especially because I tried to maintain at least 15 credits every semester when I switched to Biology.

Hello, no interviews yet? You submitted a while ago, but I wish you luck! We are more than what our numbers show sometimes!

 

[Optoman2019]

Hello, no interviews yet? You submitted a while ago, but I wish you luck! We are more than what our numbers show sometimes!

Oh, I forgot to mention I took the OAT yesterday, November 16th. All the schools had already replied saying that everything looks good but that they wanted to see my OAT results before making a decision.

 

[ashhas]

Oh, I forgot to mention I took the OAT yesterday, November 16th. All the schools had already replied saying that everything looks good but that they wanted to see my OAT results before making a decision.

Ah okay, so you already had all your interviews and they are just waiting on OAT results to make a decision! Keep us updated. I am taking my OAT in December and Salus is also waiting on my scores to make a decision.

 

[Optoman2019]

Ah okay, so you already had all your interviews and they are just waiting on OAT results to make a decision! Keep us updated. I am taking my OAT in December and Salus is also waiting on my scores to make a decision.

Oh sorry, no interviews yet. I mean they just emailed back initially to say that everything looked good. But as of today, a couple of schools said they put my application back into review and Pikeville gave me an interview invitation! Good luck with Salus, they're definitely in my top 3 schools! Let me know how it goes for you.

 

[mfarns318]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 07/01
Date verified: 07/14
OAT Scores: First take on 04/12/2019 - 310AA/320TS, Retake 09/12/2019: 330AA/340TS
Major: Biomedical Sciences
GPA: 3.20
Extracurricular Activities: Vision Therapist, Camp Kesem 18 months, Pre-Optometry Vice President, first year student mentor, religious leadership, worked part time, played competitive volleyball.
Schools applied: NECO, SALUS, SCCO, Pacific, UAB, SCO
Interviews extended/date: NECO 7/15, SALUS 8/5, Pacific 7/17, SCCO 7/23, SCO 9/12, UAB (1/7/20)
Interviews accepted: SALUS 9/21, Pacific 9/6, SCCO 9/13, SCO 11/15, UAB 1/10
Interviews declined: NECO
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: SALUS 9/26, Pacific 9/12, SCCO 9/16, SCO 11/21, UAB 1/10

I did really well my last semester (Fall 2019) which brought my GPA up to almost a 3.3 (3.2 TS), that got me the interview to UAB, which I then interviewed at a few days later. I loved everything about UAB and am part of UABSO class of 2024!

 

[Optician2OD]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 07/01
Date verified: 07/14
OAT Scores: First take on 04/12/2019 - 310AA/320TS, Retake 09/12/2019: 330AA/340TS
Major: Biomedical Sciences
GPA: 3.20
Extracurricular Activities: Vision Therapist, Camp Kesem 18 months, Pre-Optometry Vice President, first year student mentor, religious leadership, worked part time, played competitive volleyball.
Schools applied: NECO, SALUS, SCCO, Pacific, UAB, SCO
Interviews extended/date: NECO 7/15, SALUS 8/5, Pacific 7/17, SCCO 7/23, SCO 9/12, UAB on hold
Interviews accepted: SALUS 9/21, Pacific 9/6, SCCO 9/13, SCO 11/15
Interviews declined: NECO
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: SALUS 9/26, Pacific 9/12, SCCO 9/16, should hear back from SCO this week.

Congrats on your acceptance. Which school did you like the best? And ever did you do differently to raise your score?

 

[Greenzz]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 09/9
Date verified: 09/11
OAT Scores: 340AA, 320TS
Major: Cell Biology
GPA: Total 2.82, Science 2.73
Extracurricular Activities: 25 hours shadowing, 1000+ hrs working in a hospital patient care environment, 1000+ hrs service volunteering in Japan, 200 hrs volunteer teaching English Second Language class in Japan, 60 hrs special needs student volunteer tutoring, Esports/Japanese Conversation/Optometry club member for 1-2 years each.
Schools applied: NOVA, SCCO, PUCO, Salus, Midwestern IL, ICO (told me to send in Fall grades), NECO (told me to send in Fall grades), Waterloo
Interviews extended/date: Salus (09/11), SCCO (09/12), NOVA (09/18), PUCO (09/23), ICO (01/28), NECO (01/31)
Interviews accepted: NOVA (09/27), SCCO (10/4), PUCO (10/18), Salus online interview (waiting to confirm a date on their end)
Interviews declined: ICO (01/31), NECO (01/31)
Rejections/date: Midwestern IL (09/13) (did not meet minimum science GPA), PUCO (10/31)
Acceptance/date: NOVA (5 year extended program, 10/3), SCCO (10/7)

Despite my subpar GPA, I got super lucky & blessed to receive some interview invites. Hopefully this encourages some others out there with a weak part in their application to apply anyways cause you never know til you try. And for the interviews, be ready to talk if you had some circumstances that effected your application and they'll hear you. You'll also have a chance to show them your motivation and interest in the career in person and those things are the most important. Best of luck to everyone!

 

[Bright12]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 8/24/19
Date verified: 8/28/19
OAT Scores: 310 AA /300 TS
Major: Biology (Neuroscience)
GPA: 2.75
Extracurricular Activities: 50+ hours scribing/shadowing, optometric tech 6 months, pre-optometry president 2 semesters, volunteer scoutmaster, internship, research experience, anatomy TA.
Schools applied: Midwestern IL, ICO, NECO, Pikeville, IAUPR, SALUS.
Interviews extended/date: Pikeville (11/18/19)
Interviews accepted:
Interviews declined:
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date:

I was a Communications major for my first two years and bombed all my classes because I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I hope they will look past that, especially because I tried to maintain at least 15 credits every semester when I switched to Biology.

Please let us know how the interviews go. I am in the same boat and was glad you posted this.

 

[ashhas]

Oh sorry, no interviews yet. I mean they just emailed back initially to say that everything looked good. But as of today, a couple of schools said they put my application back into review and Pikeville gave me an interview invitation! Good luck with Salus, they're definitely in my top 3 schools! Let me know how it goes for you.

Haha no worries! Good luck with all your interviews and do keep me updated with Salus as well and I sure will too.

 

[far318]

Congrats on your acceptance. Which school did you like the best? And ever did you do differently to raise your score?

The first time I took the OAT I did the whole Live Online Plus Course (there were a few good things about it, but ultimately it’s not my learning style and costs way too much), the second time I studied for six weeks using coursesaver. Coursesaver made all the difference in the world for me. Also the DAT Bootcamp bio notes (free) were super helpful too. I wish I would have taken more practice the second though because my timing was off (short on time) but luckily still did pretty well. I really liked different things about each school but SCO is my unofficial decision for now

 

[Optoman2019]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 09/9
Date verified: 09/11
OAT Scores: 340AA, 320TS
Major: Cell Biology
GPA: Total 2.82, Science 2.73
Extracurricular Activities: 25 hours shadowing, 1000+ hrs working in a hospital patient care environment, 1000+ hrs service volunteering in Japan, 200 hrs volunteer teaching English Second Language class in Japan, 60 hrs special needs student volunteer tutoring, Esports/Japanese Conversation/Optometry club member for 1-2 years each.
Schools applied: NOVA, SCCO, PUCO, Salus, Midwestern IL, ICO (told me to send in Fall grades), NECO (told me to send in Fall grades), Waterloo
Interviews extended/date: Salus (09/11), SCCO (09/12), NOVA (09/18), PUCO (09/23)
Interviews accepted: NOVA (09/27), SCCO (10/4), PUCO (10/18), Salus online interview (waiting to confirm a date on their end)
Interviews declined:
Rejections/date: Midwestern IL (09/13) (did not meet minimum science GPA), PUCO (10/31)
Acceptance/date: NOVA (5 year extended program, 10/3), SCCO (10/7)

Despite my subpar GPA, I got super lucky & blessed to receive some interview invites. Hopefully this encourages some others out there with a weak part in their application to apply anyways cause you never know til you try. And for the interviews, be ready to talk if you had some circumstances that effected your application and they'll hear you. You'll also have a chance to show them your motivation and interest in the career in person and those things are the most important. Best of luck to everyone!

In your interviews, do you feel like all you talked about was the reason for your GPA? Rest assured, I'm ready to answer those hard questions, but I'm curious what your experience was like with interviews. I'm interviewing next Wednesday with SALUS.

 

[Bright12]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 10/17/2019
Date verified: 10/23/2019
OAT Scores: 360 AA / 350 TS
Major: Biochemistry + Evolution & Ecology
GPA: 2.78 LOL
Extracurricular Activities: undergrad research, rowing, 1500 + hrs optician, shadowing, volunteering at the center for the blind
Schools applied: OSU, UH, SCCO, AZCOPT, Midwestern, Salus + still filling out essays for Western, KYCO, NECO
Interviews extended/date: ICO (10/25), SALUS (10/25), SCCO (10/25), SCO (10/30)
Interviews accepted: SCCO (12/02), ICO (11/22), PCO (11/25), SCO (12/6), NECO (12/9), KYCO (12/20)
Interviews declined:
Rejections/date: AZCOPT, Midwestern (10/24)
Acceptance/date:

Auto rejected from both Midwestern campuses for not having a science GPA over 2.75. It was suuuper discouraging, but I'm excited to interview at SCCO, my top choice school. I know that I check SDN religiously and try to compare stats to judge my chances at getting an interview invite, and I hope that my poor grades will encourage some people to apply. Everyone has a chance! You just gotta put yourself out there. If you are passionate, the schools will see it.

Congrats ! Any advice for taking the OAT? I know it’s late but instill want to apply this cycle

 

[chicagotech]

Date OptomCAS submitted:7/15/19 (Ico) 10/19/19 (NECO, SCO)
Date verified: 7/17/19
OAT Scores: 310 AA/ 290 TS
Major: Non-degree
GPA: 3.59 total/ 3.42 science
Extracurricular Activities: lead ophthalmic technician for almost 7 years. shadowed a research ophthalmologist for about 20 hours. blogger for university's radio station for a year
Schools applied:ICO, NECO, SCO
Interviews extended/date: ICO 8/30, NECO 10/22, SCO 10/21
Interviews accepted:ICO 10/7, NECO 11/18, SCO 12/9
Interviews declined:
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date:ICO waitlist 11/1, NECO 11/22, SCO hold 12/12

 

[kcol]

Date OptomCAS submitted: 9/24/19
Date verified: 9/25/19
OAT scores: AA 320/TS 300
Major: Biological Sciences with a concentration in ecology, evolution and behavior
GPA: 3.1
Extracurricular activities: captain of intramural teams, shadowed at a private practice for about 40 hours, co-academic vice president, member of Hysteria committee, member of the Public Service and Learning Community, currently work full-time at a healthcare staffing agency
Schools applied: Salus, UMSL, MCPHS, NECO, ICO, SCO, NOVA, SUNY
Interviews extended/date: Salus (10/16), NECO (11/13), MCPHS (11/15), UMSL (11/12), NOVA (11/20), ICO (12/3), SUNY (12/5), IUSO (12/12)
Interviews accepted: Salus (10/28), UMSL (12/6), NOVA (12/13), SUNY (12/16), MCPHS (1/30), NECO (1/31), ICO (2/3)
Interviews declined: N/A
Rejections/date: N/A
Acceptance/date: UMSL (12/6), Salus (12/13)

 

[helpmeout382100]

aaayyy see you in July!

Just curious if you guys had to do a written portion of the interview for NSU? And if it was open or closed file. I’ve heard before nova does open but have recently been hearing it is closed

 

[anonnnnnnnnn123]

Just curious if you guys had to do a written portion of the interview for NSU? And if it was open or closed file. I’ve heard before nova does open but have recently been hearing it is closed

Hey! No written portion, and it was one closed file and one open file interview (they do two interviews)

 

[helpmeout382100]

Hey! No written portion, and it was one closed file and one open file interview (they do two interviews)

thanks so much for getting back to me! Im glad they removed the written portion cause I heard it was there last cycle. Is the open and closed interviews like good cop bad cop? One will talk more grades and other interests , and why optometry?

 

[anonnnnnnnnn123]

thanks so much for getting back to me! Im glad they removed the written portion cause I heard it was there last cycle. Is the open and closed interviews like good cop bad cop? One will talk more grades and other interests , and why optometry?

No problem Nova's interview day seems to be pretty professional compared to some of the other schools-- I felt like I had to maintain a charismatic, professional persona compared to other interviews that were a little more relaxed and genuine. But the whole campus is impressive and the beautiful weather may have sold me!
The closed interview is very conversational (why optometry, your experiences), and the open file was more academic (I didn't have any weird grades but they would 100% discuss them here, OAT, how you'll deal with the rigour of optometry school, strengths and weaknesses, etc). I guess the open file one was a little more good cop bad cop since I felt the pressure there, and he did call me out a little when discussing my weaknesses. I don't think that's the intention and everything was still very friendly-- it may just be the overall Florida vibe that I'm not be used to as well.
There was also one more short meeting with the nicest lady just about any classes or credits you're missing and anything like that-- not really an interview but it's one-on-one.

 

[ashhas]

Has anyone ever written a letter of intent for a specific school? If yes, was it beneficial and what exactly is the letter about?