5th yr Ugrad student that wants to get into Optometry School Now!

[Bluesanzen]

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Hey,
so after 5 years in being an undergraduate student. I desperately want to get into Optometry school this year. The more I put off another year of applying, the more I feel that my dreams of going to Optometry is floating away. My grades are not spectacular. I have a 2.9 cumulative GPA and I have not taken the OAT's yet. I plan on taking it this summer, and applying to Optometry school right away. my practice oat is 330....I have shadowed a couple optometrist already. And I know this is the career I want to dedicate my life to! I have never been so sure. Whats holding me back is my gpa really sucks n my oat is not stellar... I feel as if I am doom and not need to apply... but I am so reluctant to do a postbac... and want to jump right into Optometry. Please tell me what you think. If i do apply, what scores should I hope to get in to even stand a chance??? What would you all do in this position??? If i have to go back to school.. i will.. I will pretty much do anything.. im just hesitant since it means I have another yrs worth of tuition and work to make ends meet...sigh* i was hoping my with great lor's n activities n showing how dedicated i am will get me in. but im not optimistic bout that plan.

 

[jc328]

A bit too late for this year's cycle esp with your current GPA and no OAT score. I'd go back to school and retake classes with bad grades in summer and fall semester to boost GPA to at least 3.0. Study really hard for OAT and take it in fall or winter latest. Submit application no later than Christmas so you have a better chance of getting an interview.

 

[thecgrblue]

You're right to not be optimistic about that plan. They will tell that you're dedicated, a good person, etc etc at your interview. You just have to get that interview.

Without retaking any classes I'm going to say you're going to want a 350-360 or higher OAT to score an interview.

 

[Bioflare]

You're right to not be optimistic about that plan. They will tell that you're dedicated, a good person, etc etc at your interview. You just have to get that interview.

Without retaking any classes I'm going to say you're going to want a 350-360 or higher OAT to score an interview.

I'm going to say this is true, only if applying late in the cycle. As I would say they tend to be more lenient earlier on based on previous acceptance posts.

My cgpa was 3-3.1 depending on the schools. I managed to get the attention of 6 of the optom schools that I applied to very late in the cycle. That being said my OAT was 350/360 for AA/TS.

But if you apply early enough I think they would at least consider you with 330-340 OAT (which is the average or a little above average for the entering class).

But most importantly, if you're sure this is what you want, you better pursue it. It's no time to waste thinking about what could be, just contact the admissions for schools and ask straight out what type of scores and grades do they look for in applicants. If you look back in the interview and acceptance threads, you can see people getting in with 3.0 GPA and 310 OAT (they are rare but much easier when applying EARLY in the 2012 cycle).

GL

@OP if you meant to get in for the Aug/Sept 2011 term its too late for most schools other than IUPR?

 

[Retinopathy]

The best advice I ever got was from the admissions department at my school. Call around and talk about your situation. See what they would do if you were an applicant.

I would say aim for at least a 340 on OAT. I have classmates that entered with similar GPAs as you.