The time has come

[nc2tarheels]

Finally. lol. I've sent my optomcas app in and it's been verified. I've completed 3 of the 5 supplemental apps. However, I take my OAT in 12 days. Here's my stats...
-GPA 3.16 (I started college at 18, and stopped going. I'm 26 now and am in my 3rd year. My GPA since starting back is a 3.54.
-I have 9 years of optical experience. Everything from a managerial lab position, to a wholesale lab, to someone that checks vision acuities.
-EC's are decent. I have "enough" but I worked 40 hours in optical during 80% of my college career.

With the only thing missing, my OAT, do you think I have a DECENT shot? I know it's hard to say without an OAT, but if I do decent and score 330 or so....? I won't have a bachelor's yet, but I will have pre-req's complete. I've only applied to schools that don't require bachelors.
-SCO
-PCO
-NOVA
-UAB
-SUNY

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[KHE]

Finally. lol. I've sent my optomcas app in and it's been verified. I've completed 3 of the 5 supplemental apps. However, I take my OAT in 12 days. Here's my stats...
-GPA 3.16 (I started college at 18, and stopped going. I'm 26 now and am in my 3rd year. My GPA since starting back is a 3.54.
-I have 9 years of optical experience. Everything from a managerial lab position, to a wholesale lab, to someone that checks vision acuities.
-EC's are decent. I have "enough" but I worked 40 hours in optical during 80% of my college career.

With the only thing missing, my OAT, do you think I have a DECENT shot? I know it's hard to say without an OAT, but if I do decent and score 330 or so....? I won't have a bachelor's yet, but I will have pre-req's complete. I've only applied to schools that don't require bachelors.
-SCO
-PCO
-NOVA
-UAB
-SUNY

In general, schools that don't require a bachelors would require a higher GPA than what you have. So you may need a lot better than a 330 to override that. If you had your bachelors, your application would likely be as competitive as most other people's would be.

But apply anyways.....you never know.

 

[nc2tarheels]

Not sure if it matters, but the optomcas gpa shows a 3.16. My transcript GPA shows a 3.35. I started school back Jan of 2008 and my GPA for my 2 years of classes is a 3.54 and I do have an Associates in Science.

 

[mshea413]

I have a 3.96 and got a 360 on the OAT and am applying after my 3rd year and Im not even sure if I'll get in now or have to reapply after I finish this year

 

[lkg2837]

I would say if this is what you want to do, then it's very obviously worth a try. Sounds like you agree, because you've already gotten this far in the admissions process, good job! Try to do as well on the OAT as you possibly can; also, wasn't there a section in OptomCAS that let you add any additional info you think the schools should know? This is where you could mention your change in GPA-- how you've come back to school, are doing well now, have had to balance it all with a lot of work, and in the meantime have had a great opportunity to learn that optometry is for you, and so on.. Worst case scenario, things don't work out, and you ask the schools what would make you a stronger applicant. Likely they'd recommend continuing to go to school, working towards a bachelors while getting good grades, and reapplying in the next year or 2 (or whenever you'd be in your senior year of your bachelors degree).

Hope that helps, and good luck!!

 

[blysssful]

It is pretty hard to say anything about where you stand without the rest of your application... but I think your returning GPA would most likely be considered more significant than the grades you got 8 years ago. Especially if you weren't taking science courses then (I have no idea, I'm just giving a hypothetical). Admissions committees always consider trends, and clearly you show that you're working hard to atone for digging yourself into a hole before.

You should use your non-traditional experiences to your advantage (during your interview/essays etc). Good luck on the OAT!

 

[nc2tarheels]

Yes, during my essay, I explained my situation as well. My son had health complications and required my time. He had "extensive" treatment and I explained that that was the reason for my lack of grades early in my college career.

 

[nc2tarheels]

I have a 3.96 and got a 360 on the OAT and am applying after my 3rd year and Im not even sure if I'll get in now or have to reapply after I finish this year

Wow, Congrats on the great GPA. However, I'm hoping that having NINE years of optical experience and training in the field from every aspect will give me a boost.