Application

[thunderfan]

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Took my OAT and didn't do well (scored below 300). Do i wait until I take the OAT again to turn in my application, or should I go ahead and send it in now?

 

[paasnaas]

I think you should wait until you take it again and see if you can hopefully get a better score your second time around. A lot of applicants do better on their second attempts, myself included.

In my opinion, a lot of schools have a certain GPA & OAT cutoff, and if you don't make the cut then most likely they may not look at the rest of your application. The reason why is because schools want to see that you can handle optometry school and their curriculum. So I think having a better score will give you a better opportunity to get offered an interview. Plus if you have a lower OAT score, a lot of schools may tell you to take it again anyway, one school did that to me. So I think in your case it might be better to wait until you take it again and see if you can do better.

Good luck!

 

[02201992]

If you still want to try to matriculate this cycle, I would just mark on your application, under the tests section, the date that you plan to retake the OAT (I know you have to wait at least 3 months), and then send it off. Schools will keep your application on hold until they get the new scores.

 

[thunderfan]

Thank you for your responses! Do you think it would be better to turn it in earlier saying that I am retaking the OAT, or would it be better to just wait until I get a better score. I know the earlier you turn in your application the better, but once they see my score will they throw my application out or will they wait until my second score comes in?

 

[02201992]

They should wait until you receive your 2nd attempt. I've always heard that the earlier you submit the better. If you're concerned though you should just call the schools you are applying to and ask their opinion. But if I were you I'd submit.