applying before OAT scores with a low gpa

[optometrygirl29]

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Hey guys i need major advice! i know my gpa sucks no joke i get it i was told to apply early because i have a great deal of experience that would serve as somewhat of a buffer for my gpa...i have been in the field for more than 8yrs. i have posted on here before and some suggested that if i got 350 or higher i would have a chance? does anyone have any input? also i understand the gpa is recalculated somehow. I have over 180 credits that attribute to my gpa so i was wondering if they look at courses that are not related to my bachelors less harshly?

 

[optometrygirl29]

oh one more thing my transcripts are still being sent to optomcas so they have not been verified as of yet that is why im waiting

 

[DeterminedOpto]

Hey guys i need major advice! i know my gpa sucks no joke i get it i was told to apply early because i have a great deal of experience that would serve as somewhat of a buffer for my gpa...i have been in the field for more than 8yrs. i have posted on here before and some suggested that if i got 350 or higher i would have a chance? does anyone have any input? also i understand the gpa is recalculated somehow. I have over 180 credits that attribute to my gpa so i was wondering if they look at courses that are not related to my bachelors less harshly?

I think every school's program is different regarding how they view your gpa into the overall picture...but I think you should apply early OR retake the OAT and apply after you retake it...

For example, at UCBerkeley Optometry, if you have a low GPA, you can definitely make up for it with really high OAT scores. they're weighted the same..so your entire undergrad GPA is worth the same as that one OAT exam. So if you do well on that...you can really up your chances...

What is your bachelors in? Some programs consider your "pre-req" GPA as all classes related to your bachelors..

 

[optometrygirl29]

My bachelors is in Biomedical Sciences with minors in Physics and Public health. I had worked with optometrists at a commerical office for 3.5 years and private practice for 5yrs and in between that i worked for an ophthalmologist office for a yr with differect specialists (glaucoma, retinal). my overall gpa is 2.68... i had a intro to music class and public speaking class a summer early in my college career that i failed bc i never dropped them and had health issues. i never retook them but it was a blow to my gpa which was about 3.3 before then with all the science classes i got more B's and some C's and some A's. I just dont know if failing intro to music makes me less of a candidate for optometry school. I dont want to be delusional and say that experience will help make up for gpa bc i figure most schools to show that they have the best gpa,OAT score stats. I havent taken the OAT yet at all. should i just submit with the low gpa and then when i take the OAT send my scores after?

 

[q1we3]

Your OAT is much more important compared to your GPA. Why? because it is standardized test. If your GPA is below 3.2 make sure you get 350-360 on you OAT. Otherwise, you will have a hard time getting accepted to one of the established schools.