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Any thoughts?
- Thread starter sammyboy
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TO be honest, not really. This happens all the time. Ive seen (on this forum especially) many people in your situation and an equal amount of people in the exact opposite situation. Then there are fewer who are directly in the middle. Though it could be a variety of reasons which i wont get into...I would not say its IMPOSSIBLE for you to get into optometry school. But its not as appealing as if you had atleast a 320 or somethign in all sections.
I think most people on here would advise you to just call the schools or speak at interview (which will probably bring up this descrepancy anyways) and ask them what you can do. The worst thing they can tell you is to retake, which you will just have to study for and do better if you dont get in this cycle.
Good luck though.
I think most people on here would advise you to just call the schools or speak at interview (which will probably bring up this descrepancy anyways) and ask them what you can do. The worst thing they can tell you is to retake, which you will just have to study for and do better if you dont get in this cycle.
Good luck though.
I appreciate the advice. You are right in the fact that I will be obligated to re-take the OAT exam if I am recommended by an optometry program. I have over 40+ hours of shadowing experience with private practice OD, pediatrics OD, corporate OD, and private practice opthamologist. I played college baseball for a year, heavily involved with student government, accomplished violinist (19 years playing...had the opportunity to attend Juilliard School of Music)... great LORs including OD, 3 professors and the president of my college. I am hoping these other aspects of my application have some push and are carefully considered. I am from Pennsylvania...so that may help my chances at PCO...then again...maybe not. Thanks again.
Well, I think there are lots of things to think about for a situation like this.
Most schools I am familiar with say that they weigh OAT's and GPA's equally. If this is the case, then the two sort of cancel out to make you an middle of the road applicant. In terms of "attractive combinations" obviously the higher on both parts the better, but there is really no way to predict what schools will want. I think in general they are not looking at raw numbers alone. How you come across in an interview will be very important.
A plus in your situation is that your GPA is high. GPA's are a good indicator of things that standardized tests can't account for (time management, ability to juggle many classes and other "life" stuff). However, all the schools require standardized tests because they are just that, standardized. It gives schools a way to compare an applicant pool of students coming from different colleges, different majors, etc. I guess what I am trying to say here is that OAT's are an important part of the application. If this is really bothering you, you could take the OAT again and prepare for the test-taking aspects of it.
You mentioned that some people are just not good at standardized tests. Although I know that is very true, part of doing well on standardized tests is simply knowing how to deal with the test being standardized. Whether this means focusing on material specific to the test, practicing with the same time restrictions, or practicing in a similar environment, you (test-takers in general) have to not only "know their stuff" but also be prepared for the whole experience.
Also, I have heard that OAT scores may correlate to national board exams that you will need to take later in your career, because they are similarly standardized. I can't attest to the reliability of this, but it does highlight that the standardized tests don't end here!
I don't know if that is the sort of reply you are looking for...I guess you asked for thoughts so here are some thoughts! I wish you the best of luck with the admissions process! Let us know how it turns out!
Most schools I am familiar with say that they weigh OAT's and GPA's equally. If this is the case, then the two sort of cancel out to make you an middle of the road applicant. In terms of "attractive combinations" obviously the higher on both parts the better, but there is really no way to predict what schools will want. I think in general they are not looking at raw numbers alone. How you come across in an interview will be very important.
A plus in your situation is that your GPA is high. GPA's are a good indicator of things that standardized tests can't account for (time management, ability to juggle many classes and other "life" stuff). However, all the schools require standardized tests because they are just that, standardized. It gives schools a way to compare an applicant pool of students coming from different colleges, different majors, etc. I guess what I am trying to say here is that OAT's are an important part of the application. If this is really bothering you, you could take the OAT again and prepare for the test-taking aspects of it.
You mentioned that some people are just not good at standardized tests. Although I know that is very true, part of doing well on standardized tests is simply knowing how to deal with the test being standardized. Whether this means focusing on material specific to the test, practicing with the same time restrictions, or practicing in a similar environment, you (test-takers in general) have to not only "know their stuff" but also be prepared for the whole experience.
Also, I have heard that OAT scores may correlate to national board exams that you will need to take later in your career, because they are similarly standardized. I can't attest to the reliability of this, but it does highlight that the standardized tests don't end here!
I don't know if that is the sort of reply you are looking for...I guess you asked for thoughts so here are some thoughts! I wish you the best of luck with the admissions process! Let us know how it turns out!
Obviously speaking as an accepted optometry student for next year, my opinion appears not to count for much at all on this forum, however I will say that I find it quite likely they'd ask you to re-take the OAT. I feel they'd have substantial reservations about a 240 RC score as that is such an important section, and if you did bring up a fire drill having screwed you over, they might just come to the conclusion that then you should have no problems taking it a second time. Your other stats do look quite strong and I'd bet that you will end up being accepted somewhere (albeit probably after another attempt), and I do wish you the best of luck.
Cali,
I really appreciate the time it took you to post your thoughts. I'm glad to you said they aren't looking for raw numbers alone, because I often get that vibe from the SDN members on here. As for standardized tests, I do agree with you. I better start aquiring some standardized test taking skills soon if I want to do well on my boards...granted I have to get that far. Your post is exactly what I was looking for. I wasn't looking for someone to say "sure you will get in" or "you don't have a f*&%ing prayer". Thanks for your honesty and feedback. I will keep you updated.
I really appreciate the time it took you to post your thoughts. I'm glad to you said they aren't looking for raw numbers alone, because I often get that vibe from the SDN members on here. As for standardized tests, I do agree with you. I better start aquiring some standardized test taking skills soon if I want to do well on my boards...granted I have to get that far. Your post is exactly what I was looking for. I wasn't looking for someone to say "sure you will get in" or "you don't have a f*&%ing prayer". Thanks for your honesty and feedback. I will keep you updated.
Thanks alot Arctic. Congratulations on the acceptance to PCO! I beleive that is where I saw you name listed. I hope to join you in the class of 2014. I will know whether or not I have been accepted in about 2 weeks. It would be a huge relief if their board just said..."sure, why not...he seems like a nice guy" (hah).
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Although this might not be the thing that you want to hear, I think the reason GPAs aren't weighted as heavily at a lot of schools is because they aren't standardized at all and are therefore a lot less meaningful. There is a lot of grade inflation in many/most undergrads, and the various levels of difficulty of undergrad institutions becomes obvious when you compare GPAs of similar caliber students from different universities. In the abstract they might identify people who have a better work ethic, but in reality they mostly just highlight differences in universities.
The OAT tests how well you can interpret/analyze information on a standardized level, regardless of the nuances with the undergrad where you initially learned the material. Obviously, there are huge flaws with any type of standardized test (like people who really do know the content but get test anxiety, etc), but until GPAs are standardized, it's the only way to compare students with different backgrounds.
That being said, your chances of being accepted are not gone, but you will probably need to re-take the OAT (as you've already mentioned). If understanding the material is not the issue for you, you should consider the way you prepared. Maybe you just need to learn how to be quicker with your answers, which isn't something that is commonly tested during undergrad. Good luck!
The OAT tests how well you can interpret/analyze information on a standardized level, regardless of the nuances with the undergrad where you initially learned the material. Obviously, there are huge flaws with any type of standardized test (like people who really do know the content but get test anxiety, etc), but until GPAs are standardized, it's the only way to compare students with different backgrounds.
That being said, your chances of being accepted are not gone, but you will probably need to re-take the OAT (as you've already mentioned). If understanding the material is not the issue for you, you should consider the way you prepared. Maybe you just need to learn how to be quicker with your answers, which isn't something that is commonly tested during undergrad. Good luck!
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I agree...retake the OAT. The admissions counselor might understand for a little the whole "evacuation" story, but theyre probably thinking that your scores should be higher if that didnt happen. If you really do know your stuff then you should get much higher scores on all sections.
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I am pretty much in the same boat... I suffer and always have suffered from a deadly and destructive ailment known as standardized test anxiety😱...Doctors say that it can be treated and eventually cured. I have been trying work my way around it and even invested in Kaplan. When it came down to it I performed better on Kaplan exams than the real thing. I guess now I am going to retake and try to overcome that wall I face in very standarized test because I know it won't end here.
The impression I am recieving from most schools (not all) is that the OAT is the most important part of your application...everything is just an appetizer. PCO is the only school that gave me positive feedback but still patiently waiting for the a response. Until then, I have no choice but to run with fury to break that dreaded wall. Good Luck!!!!!
The impression I am recieving from most schools (not all) is that the OAT is the most important part of your application...everything is just an appetizer. PCO is the only school that gave me positive feedback but still patiently waiting for the a response. Until then, I have no choice but to run with fury to break that dreaded wall. Good Luck!!!!!
