Hey guys,
I am in my senior year of college, and have taken all pre-requisites for optometry school. I currently have a 3.8 GPA, which is expected to remain unchanged this semester (I graduate in December). I am scheduled to take the OAT in mid-November and I expect that I will probably get around a 340 or 350. I plan to apply before the December 1st deadline. I'm not sure if I will be looked at as a competitive applicant because I haven't been very involved in the last 3 years. I am a member of pre-optometry club and we have volunteered several times at our local food bank. I have also shadowed three optometrists in private and corporate settings. I believe I will have a glowing recommendation from my boss (I tutor math on campus) and my professor that I had for Organic Chemistry I and II, as well as Biochemistry. The biggest thing I am worried about is that I am from out of state. Is that a disadvantage for me? I know that Berkeley isn't as represented by many states as some optometry schools. Is that just because they are a public school and receive funding from the state so students from California are more likely to go their due to lower tuition? Or is it a disadvantage to be from outside of California? I am nervous that I am wasting my time applying to such a tough program, although I would LOVE to go to Berkeley!!
I am in my senior year of college, and have taken all pre-requisites for optometry school. I currently have a 3.8 GPA, which is expected to remain unchanged this semester (I graduate in December). I am scheduled to take the OAT in mid-November and I expect that I will probably get around a 340 or 350. I plan to apply before the December 1st deadline. I'm not sure if I will be looked at as a competitive applicant because I haven't been very involved in the last 3 years. I am a member of pre-optometry club and we have volunteered several times at our local food bank. I have also shadowed three optometrists in private and corporate settings. I believe I will have a glowing recommendation from my boss (I tutor math on campus) and my professor that I had for Organic Chemistry I and II, as well as Biochemistry. The biggest thing I am worried about is that I am from out of state. Is that a disadvantage for me? I know that Berkeley isn't as represented by many states as some optometry schools. Is that just because they are a public school and receive funding from the state so students from California are more likely to go their due to lower tuition? Or is it a disadvantage to be from outside of California? I am nervous that I am wasting my time applying to such a tough program, although I would LOVE to go to Berkeley!!
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