BS or BA?

[Oligator]

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Hi everyone,

I am currently struggling with what to do here. So for a little background, I am finishing up my last semester and have already been accepted into two schools. All my prerequisites are completed and I am just finishing up my "BS" in biology. My problem is that I am taking calculus 2 right now. It's been around 2-3 years since I completed calc 1, so I am very rusty. I failed my first test partly because I was busy studying for the OAT for the first few weeks of the semester. I have been playing around with the idea of dropping this last math class required for my "BS" and just take the BA in biology instead. If I did this I would have a nice relaxing semester, which would be nice before starting optometry school in the fall. But part of me thinks that's silly since it's the one class I need to complete my BS degree.
...So, I would like to know what you all think I should do. Struggle this semester and get the BS, or be happy with a BA.

Thank you in advance 🙂

 

[Shnurek]

Tough decision after reading your full post. I say it really depends on you. Are you 100% for optometry to get that OD? Once you get an OD the BA/BS doesn't matter. If you think maybe you have a chance of dropping out a BS is slightly better than a BA.

 

[optoapp2012]

Tough decision after reading your full post. I say it really depends on you. Are you 100% for optometry to get that OD? Once you get an OD the BA/BS doesn't matter. If you think maybe you have a chance of dropping out a BS is slightly better than a BA.

I completely agree. I have a BA in sociology - so it's completely unrelated and that's still been fine for getting into optometry schools since I have my prereq's. But if there's any chance you would want to do something else, a BS look better for another science career or grad school. Like Shnurek said, if you are going to finish optometry school, it doesn't matter either way after you have the OD. Good luck!

 

[janedoe88]

Hi everyone,

I am currently struggling with what to do here. So for a little background, I am finishing up my last semester and have already been accepted into two schools. All my prerequisites are completed and I am just finishing up my "BS" in biology. My problem is that I am taking calculus 2 right now. It's been around 2-3 years since I completed calc 1, so I am very rusty. I failed my first test partly because I was busy studying for the OAT for the first few weeks of the semester. I have been playing around with the idea of dropping this last math class required for my "BS" and just take the BA in biology instead. If I did this I would have a nice relaxing semester, which would be nice before starting optometry school in the fall. But part of me thinks that's silly since it's the one class I need to complete my BS degree.
...So, I would like to know what you all think I should do. Struggle this semester and get the BS, or be happy with a BA.

Thank you in advance 🙂

It is required that you get at least a "C" in all classes that you listed you were taking on the OptomCAS application. Thus, you'd have to take the math class if you listed it on the application. I believe schools can take away your acceptance if you fail a class.

 

[Oligator]

Right, but if I drop the class I wouldn't be failing it..

 

[shannon804]

Tough decision after reading your full post. I say it really depends on you. Are you 100% for optometry to get that OD? Once you get an OD the BA/BS doesn't matter. If you think maybe you have a chance of dropping out a BS is slightly better than a BA.

I don't know if a BS would help you get hired over a BA. I work in science, and some of my co-workers have BEs or BAs. I don't feel that my BS was a huge advantage in finding a job. And once you've worked for a few years and are looking to move up, your experience and a higher degree will be more important than your bachelor's in most cases. So basically, I think we both agree that it doesn't really matter, unless you really really want to see "Bachelor of Science" on your diploma.

But personally, I'd stick it out and struggle-- you worked so hard for so many years to let one little course deter you!

 

[janedoe88]

Right, but if I drop the class I wouldn't be failing it..

I don't think you understand my point. Any changes you are making from your application (dropping a class or changing your major) you have to notify the schools and they can revoke your admission. Thus, if you listed the class as a class you were going to take, then you cannot drop it. The school will find out when you send in your final transcript.

 

[shannon804]

I don't think you understand my point. Any changes you are making from your application (dropping a class or changing your major) you have to notify the schools and they can revoke your admission. Thus, if you listed the class as a class you were going to take, then you cannot drop it. The school will find out when you send in your final transcript.

Maybe you could call the school and ask them what would happen if you dropped the class?

 

[Roffles]

As stated above, you should definitely call before you drop the class. I don't think that it would matter if you failed or dropped. The outcome would likely be the same.. If you've already been accepted, they would likely drop your acceptance or at the very least reconsider your application.

Most schools are very up front about this sort of thing. I only have experience with OSU, but they stated requirements very explicitly and told me exactly what was required.