hey there,
i am currently a 2nd scco student who graduated from ucla with a 2.6ish gpa, psychobiology major. i got around a 330/340 OAT score, retook it to see if i can hit higher. performed the same. i had experiences in research, working for an omd, leadership for a campus organization, and i worked throughout college.
i had a meeting with dawn bunch just to ask her about my status as a prospective student. she told me to apply to other schools as well. she isn't going to tell you a yes/no answer b/c obviously, the school wants you to apply. and i would recommend that you do b/c the last two years, they based the 1st part of admissions on application, academics, etc. then, the 2nd part is the interview, which basically gets you in or on the wait list.
my cousin applied to scco, cum laude or soemthing from ucla, bio major and did not get in after her interview. so, i would say, just apply. write a damn good essay. and when you get the interview, make them feel you belong there. grad school admissions are funny. there's no black and white answer as to how they chose their applicants.
but, i can tell you this, i am doing way better in optometry school than ucla. ucla is freakin hard. i don't care what anyone else says, that school makes you feel pretty stupid. so many smart and competitive people there. i often wondered myself whether i made the right decision going there due to my low gpa. but, of course i dont' give a crap because i am where i want to be- in optometry school. and once you're in, it doesnt' matter what gpa you got in undergrad. what matters is how well you deliver patient care.
so i say to you, take my story as an inspiration. just apply, continue developing your people skills to prepare for interviews, write a really good essay, and show that you are committed in being the best optometrist there is. afer me that is. just kidding. hope that helps. if you have other questions, just let me know.
