Chances for Optometry School

[Mimi625]

So my current cumulative GPA is a 3.2 and I'm graduating the upcoming spring. I plan on taking a gap year and applying to optometry schools next year so I hopefully start in the fall of 2018. I haven't taken my OAT yet, but given this GPA, what are my chances of being competitive? I believe my science GPA is around a 3.0.

I have a pretty strong list of EC: been a part of 4 large research studies, leadership positions, awards..
Its mainly my GPA that Im worried about.. If I get above a 300 on my OAT, do I have a strong chance?

Im really disappointed by my GPA and definitely could have done better... I was going through some problems during my second and part of my third year of undergrad, but I don't want to use that as an excuse. When Optometry schools see my GPA, do they even consider me?

Also, is there any solid website with OAT practice questions? I really need to practice..
Sorry for the several questions, but Thank you so much for the help!

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[jessoptom]

Hi, when you calculated your science GPA, how did you do that? Did you include the english courses or just strictly the science courses for prequs? thanks.

 

[jonizzy]

Obviously, do well on the OAT (I'd be shooting for 330+ which is very obtainable with modest effort) and I think you should be OK for most schools. If you're applying this cycle, it may be a little late to have average scores but it's certainly worth applying. I've seen numerous people with ~3.0 GPAs and ~300-310 OAT scores get accepted, but I imagine they applied earlier. With a strong OAT score and your extracurriculars, you have a chance. Good luck

I and others really enjoy Chad's videos, chemistryprep and DefeatTheDAT. OAT destroyer is really good, too. Many people are getting rid of theirs this time of year.

 

[Mimi625]

Hi, when you calculated your science GPA, how did you do that? Did you include the english courses or just strictly the science courses for prequs? thanks.

Hi
I did not. Unfortunately I received a C in 3 classes (Orgo 1, 2, and Intro Physics) and those seem to have really brought down my GPA. Other courses I had A's and B's, but more B's than the former.

 

[Mimi625]

Obviously, do well on the OAT (I'd be shooting for 330+ which is very obtainable with modest effort) and I think you should be OK for most schools. If you're applying this cycle, it may be a little late to have average scores but it's certainly worth applying. I've seen numerous people with ~3.0 GPAs and ~300-310 OAT scores get accepted, but I imagine they applied earlier. With a strong OAT score and your extracurriculars, you have a chance. Good luck

I and others really enjoy Chad's videos, chemistryprep and DefeatTheDAT. OAT destroyer is really good, too. Many people are getting rid of theirs this time of year.

Thank you! I hope so, I'll definitely aim high and hope for the best..I'll be applying for the next cycle.
Are Chad's videos pretty much the same thing as Coursesaver.com? Is Coursesaver worth paying for the entire OAT bundle, or just the practice Q? I was thinking of just purchasing that..
Thanks so much for your feedback and good luck to you too 🙂

 

[PrecisionVision]

My stats are pretty similar to yours and I also thought that I would have a hard time getting interviews from schools when I looked at the averages for each school but it turns out I was wrong. I had a 3.2 overall GPA and a 330 on my AA and TS OAT score. I rceived an interview from all 5 of the schools I applied, interviewed at 4, accepted to 3, and waitlisted for 1. My top choice was SCCO and I have chosen to attend there in fall of 2017. Schools look at you as a whole so it's not just based on your GPA. Your personal statement is a large factor as well, and in my opinion, it depends on the applicant pool at the time when you submit your application too. You sound like you have a strong and well-rounded background so I wouldn't be too worried! Just make sure your application is well-prepared and try to submit it early on within the cycle to have a better chance of getting interviews. I submitted my application around the end of August. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions! 🙂

 

[Mimi625]

My stats are pretty similar to yours and I also thought that I would have a hard time getting interviews from schools when I looked at the averages for each school but it turns out I was wrong. I had a 3.2 overall GPA and a 330 on my AA and TS OAT score. I rceived an interview from all 5 of the schools I applied, interviewed at 4, accepted to 3, and waitlisted for 1. My top choice was SCCO and I have chosen to attend there in fall of 2017. Schools look at you as a whole so it's not just based on your GPA. Your personal statement is a large factor as well, and in my opinion, it depends on the applicant pool at the time when you submit your application too. You sound like you have a strong and well-rounded background so I wouldn't be too worried! Just make sure your application is well-prepared and try to submit it early on within the cycle to have a better chance of getting interviews. I submitted my application around the end of August. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions! 🙂

Awesome, Congratulations to you!
Thats definitely really good to hear, and reassuring 🙂
If you don't mind me asking, is SCCO considered a difficult school to get into? I was looking at some of the average GPAs of applicants/admitted students and most school's are so high...but do schools deliberately put higher GPA to appear more competitive?
How did you study for the OAT and for how long? I was thinking of taking the exam sometime in May after I graduate, so hopefully I can submit soon..
Thinking about the exam gives me anxiety, but just one obstacle to get through haha

 

[PrecisionVision]

Awesome, Congratulations to you!
Thats definitely really good to hear, and reassuring 🙂
If you don't mind me asking, is SCCO considered a difficult school to get into? I was looking at some of the average GPAs of applicants/admitted students and most school's are so high...but do schools deliberately put higher GPA to appear more competitive?
How did you study for the OAT and for how long? I was thinking of taking the exam sometime in May after I graduate, so hopefully I can submit soon..
Thinking about the exam gives me anxiety, but just one obstacle to get through haha

Well I do think SCCO is harder to get into than some other schools, and I don't think schools deliberately put higher GPA to seem more competitive. It should be based on their entire applicant pool so I don't think they would just pick and choose the highest GPA from there and again, GPA isn't everything. 🙂

I studied for the OAT for about 5-6 months starting in February to the end of July, which was when I took it, and all I used to study was the kaplan book. I had planned to take it in June so I could get it out of the way and submit my application right when the application cycle started but I just wasn't ready yet so I pushed it back to the end of july. I didn't start on my apps until the test was over so I just spent that month afterwards working on my personal statement and getting everything together to submit at the end of August. You should start studying for it early on so you can pace yourself and make sure you understand the material as best as you can before you actually take it.

 

[Mimi625]

Well I do think SCCO is harder to get into than some other schools, and I don't think schools deliberately put higher GPA to seem more competitive. It should be based on their entire applicant pool so I don't think they would just pick and choose the highest GPA from there and again, GPA isn't everything. 🙂

I studied for the OAT for about 5-6 months starting in February to the end of July, which was when I took it, and all I used to study was the kaplan book. I had planned to take it in June so I could get it out of the way and submit my application right when the application cycle started but I just wasn't ready yet so I pushed it back to the end of july. I didn't start on my apps until the test was over so I just spent that month afterwards working on my personal statement and getting everything together to submit at the end of August. You should start studying for it early on so you can pace yourself and make sure you understand the material as best as you can before you actually take it.

Thanks for your feedback. Im definitely going to study as much as I can and the it soon. I appreciate your help and best of luck to you in Optometry School 🙂