Applying to Optometry Schools for the Third Time...

[786MSOD]

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After reading many threads on SDN, I wanted to share my experience and would love to hear feedback/ opinions from others.


I completed my B.S. in science major in 2009 and had always wanted to pursue my doctorate degree in Optometry. I applied to eight opometry schools in 2008-2009 cycle. I was denied admission from all of them without being given a chance to even interview. I reapplied in this year's cycle 2009-2010 to eighteen optometry schools, pretty much all of them except Puerto Rico and was heart broken to not be given a chance to interview again.


I have been very heartbroken as this is the career I have always wanted to pursue. I have been working on improving my chances throughout these past years and now I have five years of experience as an Optometrist's Technician and as a licensed Opticiain.


My OAT scores were a bit low 270 to be exact and I think this is the main reason. But the reason is because English is my fifth language and I am not really good at standardized testing. My undergraudate GPA after taking few classes at community college is 2.90.


I realize that my quantitaive part of the application isn't the best, but when you combine my qualitative part of the application I have qualifications which should help my overall application: including ABO (American Board of Opticianry) and NCLE (National Contact Lens Examiners) certifications, ability to speak fluently six languages, shadowing/ working experience at a corporate setting and private clinic setting for more than five years, and currently I am working as an Optician at a private optometry clinic.


I have not given up and Optometry is truely the career that I have been focused on and I know the hardwork will payoff soon. I am reapplying again for the third time come this mid-July and I hope that I will be given an opportunity to prove my passion and desire for the field.


I will really appreciate your feedback to what else can I do to improve my chances. I am retaking my OAT again after studying for more time this June, and I hope the fact that I am reapplying for the third time will show the admissions committee throughout the Optometry Schools my consistency and desire to attend Optometry School. I plan on sending my applications early to boost my chances as well.


It will be the happiest day of my life, the day I am accepted!!!


Please provide anyfeedback and thank you for taking the time to read. By the way I am going to be the first person in my family to ever finish a four year undergraduate degree and then pursue a doctorate degree, which makes my family really excited.


I hope to hear from you with any feedback. I know it will happen as I have talked to several optometrists and have faith, but I just can't wait for that day.


Thank you once again.

 

[jc328]

I think some optometry schools use OAT and GPA in a formula to determine if a applicant has reached the threshold for interview. Since both of your OAT and GPA are on the low side, that might be the reason why you are not offered the interview. English is my second language, and I understand the test can be challenging. In my opinion, RC and biology are probably the parts that require English skill the most, maybe you could focus on other parts that doesn't require too much English (ex. ochem and math) to improve your OAT performance in short term.

 

[VTECaddict]

Your GPA and OAT scores are both pretty low, so that is your biggest road block. Your experience in the field is great, but many many applicants have just as extensive (or better) experience along with good grades and good OAT. Experience is a crucial part of your application, but unfortunately it's not going to make up for poor grades and OAT. Your grades and OAT scores gives the school an idea of how you will be able to handle the academic load and understand the science behind everything.

From reading your post, it seems you already have a fairly firm grasp of the English language. It was pretty clear and coherent, unlike people who can barely speak English. But if you are indeed having trouble, then I suggest taking some ESL classes to build up your English skills. If English is the main thing that's holding you back, then you're going to have the same problem understanding and keeping up with classes in optometry school, not to mention communicating with other students and even patients in clinic.

You should also retake any classes you did poorly in to boost your GPA as high as you can get it. You shouldn't retake the OAT until you are SURE you will get a much higher score because it reflects poorly on you if you take it several times with not much score improvement. Don't take it if you think you might be able to squeeze out 10 or 20 points higher. You need a much bigger bump, well over 300 with that GPA, in order to stand a fighting chance at admission.

Applying again and again without really improving your stats much isn't going to help you. The admissions committee won't give you an interview just because it looks like you're desperate to get in. You have to really want it AND prove that you can handle the academics. I know this sounds harsh, but I would say don't apply again this cycle. Unless you jumped like 100 points on your OAT score, your stats will not be much of an improvement over last year. Take some time, work on improving your stats even more, THEN retake the OAT and re-apply. Show them that you really want it by investing the time and energy to improve your stats. Not by just applying over and over and hoping to squeeze in at the very bottom.

Like you said, have faith. But also work hard. You'll get there eventually.

 

[JMU07]

See how you do on your OAT again and then decide whether you're going to apply again. Like someone else said, you seem to have a pretty firm grasp on the English language.. but if you aren't able to comprehend the OAT well enough you won't be able to get through optometry school without a struggle, you know? Admissions uses it, along with your GPA to kind of judge how well you would do in doctorate level science classes. Good luck with the OAT!

Here's a tip. Don't apply to too many schools. They know where else you're applying because they ask on the application and it looks desperate if you apply everywhere. Only apply to the schools you really want to go to. What's the point of applying somewhere where you know you won't be happy?

 

[mewmewchacha]

Where are you? Maybe you can sign up for some cheap to even free English tutoring. A lot of people on CL ask for language exchange, as well as help on test taking skills. Try that. If you're close to where I am, I can try to help. I remember how hard it was for me, studying the OAT by myself because I was too cheap to take the Kaplan course.

Also, when you apply for the third time, in the supplemental applications, they usually ask for reasons why your GPA/test scores aren't all that great, and this is a great time to write down your reasons. Also, be sure to mention it in the original OPTOMCAS essay, as well. I can NOT stress this enough, though: HAVE A FRIEND PROOFREAD YOUR ESSAYS BEFORE YOU SEND THEM OFF. Preferably, someone who is working on their Masters or PhD, or who have also applied to some sort of grad school, so they can see what needs tweaking.

Good luck.

 

[socal2014]

After reading many threads on SDN, I wanted to share my experience and would love to hear feedback/ opinions from others.


I completed my B.S. in science major in 2009 and had always wanted to pursue my doctorate degree in Optometry. I applied to eight opometry schools in 2008-2009 cycle. I was denied admission from all of them without being given a chance to even interview. I reapplied in this year's cycle 2009-2010 to eighteen optometry schools, pretty much all of them except Puerto Rico and was heart broken to not be given a chance to interview again.


I have been very heartbroken as this is the career I have always wanted to pursue. I have been working on improving my chances throughout these past years and now I have five years of experience as an Optometrist's Technician and as a licensed Opticiain.


My OAT scores were a bit low 270 to be exact and I think this is the main reason. But the reason is because English is my fifth language and I am not really good at standardized testing. My undergraudate GPA after taking few classes at community college is 2.90.


I realize that my quantitaive part of the application isn't the best, but when you combine my qualitative part of the application I have qualifications which should help my overall application: including ABO (American Board of Opticianry) and NCLE (National Contact Lens Examiners) certifications, ability to speak fluently six languages, shadowing/ working experience at a corporate setting and private clinic setting for more than five years, and currently I am working as an Optician at a private optometry clinic.


I have not given up and Optometry is truely the career that I have been focused on and I know the hardwork will payoff soon. I am reapplying again for the third time come this mid-July and I hope that I will be given an opportunity to prove my passion and desire for the field.


I will really appreciate your feedback to what else can I do to improve my chances. I am retaking my OAT again after studying for more time this June, and I hope the fact that I am reapplying for the third time will show the admissions committee throughout the Optometry Schools my consistency and desire to attend Optometry School. I plan on sending my applications early to boost my chances as well.


It will be the happiest day of my life, the day I am accepted!!!


Please provide anyfeedback and thank you for taking the time to read. By the way I am going to be the first person in my family to ever finish a four year undergraduate degree and then pursue a doctorate degree, which makes my family really excited.


I hope to hear from you with any feedback. I know it will happen as I have talked to several optometrists and have faith, but I just can't wait for that day.


Thank you once again.

We cannot tell you what to do; you already know.

I applaud you for your persistence, but at the same time you cannot assume some sort of certificate or experience will compensate for your academics.

In order of priority I would do this:

a) Make sure your GPA is at least 3.0- you have a 2.7 so take 3-4 upper level science classes and retake an easy class which you did bad on.

b) Make sure you obtain a 300 on the OAT. You have taken it 3 times now, so you should be familiar with it.

Experience wise, maybe some volunteer work? I am not too sure about EC's.

 

[786MSOD]

First of all thank you everyone for taking the time to read and follow up with your advise. It is really helpful and I understand that my OAT score has to improve tremendously and I have been working on them by studying regularly. I will keep you posted on my progress and I hope to get in this year with hard work and strong effort.