Advise on GPA/OAT?

[2College]

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Hi, I am just finishing up my second year of college. I am currently a double major in Biology and Chemistry. I have been seriously considering taking a pre-optometry track for the past year and I was wondering if i could find any advise here.

After finals this semester, I will have around a 3.2 GPA, which I have been VERY stressed out over.

The reason for the low GPA is...
D+ in ochem 1
C in ochem 2
C+ in Physics 1
C+ in Invertebrate Zoology

Other than this I have received mostly A's. The reason for these low grades is that I didn't put enough time in the classes, or did well on the first exam and let my guard down for the finals. I am retaking ochem1 for sure, and if I switch my major from biology/chemistry to pre-optometry I maybe have time to retake Physics 1, which I know i can get an A in because I got an A in Physics 2 just by putting more time into the class.

For the first semester of next year I am enrolled in three chem classes because of my chem major, and i am concerned that I am wasting my time with this if I do decide to go with pre-optometry.

Another question I have is do I apply for optometry school the summer before my senior year or halfway through my senior year? If I apply before my senior year I will have even less time to raise my GPA.

I am really set on going to OSU for optometry, and I am pretty sure that I can score a 340+ on the OAT based on some practice exams I have taken. Anyways, any advise is helpful and I would really like to give myself a high chance of being accepted rather than a long shot.

 

[Roffles]

I only applied to OSU and was accepted.. So here goes..

My advice would be to re-take all four of those classes and be ready to explain the grades during your interview. As far as when to apply, that's up to you. I sent in my transcripts in December, interviewed in March and was accepted. Applying early gets you ahead of the pack, but if you can re-take those classes over the summer and apply in the fall sometime, you will be in a much better position in my opinion.

Regardless, re-taking all of those should be a priority before applying. If you would like to chat about my experience, feel free to send me a PM.

 

[optoapp2012]

Hi, I am just finishing up my second year of college. I am currently a double major in Biology and Chemistry. I have been seriously considering taking a pre-optometry track for the past year and I was wondering if i could find any advise here.

After finals this semester, I will have around a 3.2 GPA, which I have been VERY stressed out over.

The reason for the low GPA is...
D+ in ochem 1
C in ochem 2
C+ in Physics 1
C+ in Invertebrate Zoology

Other than this I have received mostly A's. The reason for these low grades is that I didn't put enough time in the classes, or did well on the first exam and let my guard down for the finals. I am retaking ochem1 for sure, and if I switch my major from biology/chemistry to pre-optometry I maybe have time to retake Physics 1, which I know i can get an A in because I got an A in Physics 2 just by putting more time into the class.

For the first semester of next year I am enrolled in three chem classes because of my chem major, and i am concerned that I am wasting my time with this if I do decide to go with pre-optometry.

Another question I have is do I apply for optometry school the summer before my senior year or halfway through my senior year? If I apply before my senior year I will have even less time to raise my GPA.

I am really set on going to OSU for optometry, and I am pretty sure that I can score a 340+ on the OAT based on some practice exams I have taken. Anyways, any advise is helpful and I would really like to give myself a high chance of being accepted rather than a long shot.

Retake Ochem 1 and Physics 1. Definitely don't bother retaking Invertebrate Zoology, because that's not related to optometry and clearly not a requirement...so I highly doubt they will care. I don't know if Ochem 2 is required for OSU. If it is, then yes retake that too. If it's not required, don't bother retaking it. I think the rest of your grades will be strong enough that they won't care about that. Required classes should have a B or better if you want to up your chances though.

Also - definitely apply in the summer or fall. I think you have 10x better of a shot if you apply early, regardless of what you might be able to improve in one semester's time. Tell them that you are retaking classes in the fall if you plan to, and they might put your application on hold until those grades come through. The process will still be faster if you get the ball rolling in the summer or EARLY fall even if they put your app on hold. I think it's a HUGE risk to apply November and later, because interview slots are filled through January often times, and then after that a lot of schools are putting people on waitlists. If someone has a blemish-free record with their GPA and OAT, then I don't think it's so risky. But if you have a single concern about your application, applying earlier gives you the best shot!

 

[optoapp2012]

One more thought...study hard for the OAT and take that during the summer before your senior year. Knock the socks off the OAT, especially in the orgo and physics sections, and I think you will have some good talking points in your application as to why they should admit you even if you haven't had time to retake those courses yet. Good luck 🙂

 

[Roffles]

I disagree with not retaking classes that aren't relevant. OSU likes to have a high incoming GPA. They also like students who can cut it, like most schools, and retaking those classes to prove you can would be a good idea if you want to guarantee admission to your favorite school.

 

[2College]

Of the 4 classes i would like to retake all of them except for ochem2, will that c still destroy my chances?

 

[Roffles]

Destroy isn't a word I would use, but be prepared to talk about the grade during your interview. They will ask, and if they don't I'd be sure to explain what happened. As long as that's your only poor grade, I wouldn't worry too much. Just make sure that the low grade wasn't because you couldn't get the A. You'll also want to avoid things like 'I didn't do well because it wasn't required to get in to optometry school' and related explanations. One C won't kill you, but it will make it more difficult.

The only reason I strongly suggest retaking them all is because I only wanted to go to one school, and I only applied to that one school. It made the process very stressful and you aren't going to want one mistake forcing you to wait another year to attend. Realistically, it probably won't hurt too bad, but realize that they see other applicants who have never come close to a C. Keep your grades up, and your head for that matter, and you'll be fine.

 

[2College]

Okay thanks a ton. Hopefully when I'm finished that will be my only C, and if i can pull an A in organic 1 I think that will somewhat make up for it and show that I am capable, but easier said than done. In the organic 1 class there was 18 students, and by the end of the course there were 14 left and only one or two A's so I defiantly have my work cut out. Since I already have the notes I will try to master the course over the summer, I am enrolled in it for the fall semester for the retake. Anyways i'll stop rambling on, thanks for the advise!

 

[GSU12]

I would suggest retaking both o-chems and physics because those classes are some of the main classes they look at. They may or may not ask you about your grades depending if you have an open or closed interview.