Chances?

[deleted936320]

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So apparently instead of my sGPA being a 2.93, OptomCAS calculated it to be a 2.7... My overall so far is a 3.1 (calculated by OptomCAS). What are my chances? I'm trying to study hard for OAT but I've been struggling. I have a TON of EC's (800+ hours of working as a tech with 3 ODs, volunteering at hospital, etc), 4 very strong LORs (3 from ODs and one from professor), as well as a well written personal statement.

I've seen people with every similar GPAs and less (sometimes more) ECs get into schools no problem. They had anywhere from a 290-330 OAT score.

Help me out here folks

 

[Weirdy]

So apparently instead of my sGPA being a 2.93, OptomCAS calculated it to be a 2.7... My overall so far is a 3.1 (calculated by OptomCAS). What are my chances? I'm trying to study hard for OAT but I've been struggling. I have a TON of EC's (800+ hours of working as a tech with 3 ODs, volunteering at hospital, etc), 4 very strong LORs (3 from ODs and one from professor), as well as a well written personal statement.

I've seen people with every similar GPAs and less (sometimes more) ECs get into schools no problem. They had anywhere from a 290-330 OAT score.

Help me out here folks

Its not about getting in, its about finishing.

Prove to them you can pass boards by killing the OAT.
If you don't get in this round but still retain a high OAT, you can always take more courses to bump that GPA before reapplying.

But right now work on what you can control- which is your OAT.

 

[deleted936320]

Its not about getting in, its about finishing.

Prove to them you can pass boards by killing the OAT.
If you don't get in this round but still retain a high OAT, you can always take more courses to bump that GPA before reapplying.

But right now work on what you can control- which is your OAT.

Thank you for the response. I'm trying hard to study, taken two practice tests so far (scored 270 on both) but don't feel like I'm retaining any information. I haven't even taken Physics yet and have to guess on that section. any tips?

 

[Weirdy]

Thank you for the response. I'm trying hard to study, taken two practice tests so far (scored 270 on both) but don't feel like I'm retaining any information. I haven't even taken Physics yet and have to guess on that section. any tips?

Chad's videos. Used OAT books.

Run through practice problems for each section and go back and figure out why you got them wrong. Break it into subject chunks.

Learn as you are going through them instead of running through full length tests, but not going back and learning why you got it wrong.

Quality over quantiy. If you aren't retaining anything after full length tests, you may not be reviewing them in enough detail.

 

[deleted936320]

Chad's videos. Used OAT books.

Run through practice problems for each section and go back and figure out why you got them wrong. Break it into subject chunks.

Learn as you are going through them instead of running through full length tests, but not going back and learning why you got it wrong.

Quality over quantiy. If you aren't retaining anything after full length tests, you may not be reviewing them in enough detail.

I've been reviewing the practice tests, but not in full, so you're right. I'm also using the Kaplan book to study for biology, etc... but am torn on what to use for physics. Will reviewing the physics section help me at all? How should I go about it? I write down the question and the right answer and try to study it for next time but I dunno if that's working.

 

[Weirdy]

I've been reviewing the practice tests, but not in full, so you're right. I'm also using the Kaplan book to study for biology, etc... but am torn on what to use for physics. Will reviewing the physics section help me at all? How should I go about it? I write down the question and the right answer and try to study it for next time but I dunno if that's working.

Physics is tricky because you need 2 things:
1) Knowing the concept behind a question and knowing where to go with it, what equations to use or manipulate
2) Having the equations memorized (unless OAT gives you a cheat sheet, even then you'd have to know what the equations look like, what variables stand for what).

If you are on a time crunch, run through easy problems first that you are strong at in physics (even if the overall topic is weak for you). Then spend time on the hard ones. You have to think tactically. If each problem is weighted the same, you want to score as many as you can. Easier = less time to go through. Harder questions = meh, just guess and move on.

Instead of going through full lengths, think of it as multiple subject tests in 1 day.

Run through 1 subject practice for 45 minutes. Take a 5min break. Go back and see what you got right. What you got wrong. For wrong questions, scribble notes down.

Take a 10-15 min break. Run through new questions of the same subject, or switch to a different subject.

Do 3 or 4 blocks of this a day. On the weekend or a free day, run through a full length, not for studying purposes but to gauge your stamina and time limits.

 

[deleted936320]

Physics is tricky because you need 2 things:
1) Knowing the concept behind a question and knowing where to go with it, what equations to use or manipulate
2) Having the equations memorized (unless OAT gives you a cheat sheet, even then you'd have to know what the equations look like, what variables stand for what).

If you are on a time crunch, run through easy problems first that you are strong at in physics (even if the overall topic is weak for you). Then spend time on the hard ones. You have to think tactically. If each problem is weighted the same, you want to score as many as you can. Easier = less time to go through. Harder questions = meh, just guess and move on.

Instead of going through full lengths, think of it as multiple subject tests in 1 day.

Run through 1 subject practice for 45 minutes. Take a 5min break. Go back and see what you got right. What you got wrong. For wrong questions, scribble notes down.

Take a 10-15 min break. Run through new questions of the same subject, or switch to a different subject.

Do 3 or 4 blocks of this a day. On the weekend or a free day, run through a full length, not for studying purposes but to gauge your stamina and time limits.

What do you mean by "run through 1 subject practice"? Do you mean go over the full length test I already took and that subject only? For example, go over Biology for 45 min, take a break, review it? Or? I'm confused, sorry

 

[Weirdy]

What do you mean by "run through 1 subject practice"? Do you mean go over the full length test I already took and that subject only? For example, go over Biology for 45 min, take a break, review it? Or? I'm confused, sorry

Yes, just the biology section. Do just the biology section, or do just biology practice questions for 45 minutes (if its easy for you, just spend 30 minutes). Then go over it and learn from it.

 

[deleted936320]

Yes, just the biology section. Do just the biology section, or do just biology practice questions for 45 minutes (if its easy for you, just spend 30 minutes). Then go over it and learn from it.

Gotcha. Where would I get the practice questions from though? Or are you talking about the full test questions I already took?

 

[Weirdy]

Gotcha. Where would I get the practice questions from though? Or are you talking about the full test questions I already took?

New questions if you can.

OAT practice books.
Maybe online sources.

 

[Elizah46]

So apparently instead of my sGPA being a 2.93, OptomCAS calculated it to be a 2.7... My overall so far is a 3.1 (calculated by OptomCAS). What are my chances? I'm trying to study hard for OAT but I've been struggling. I have a TON of EC's (800+ hours of working as a tech with 3 ODs, volunteering at hospital, etc), 4 very strong LORs (3 from ODs and one from professor), as well as a well written personal statement.

I've seen people with every similar GPAs and less (sometimes more) ECs get into schools no problem. They had anywhere from a 290-330 OAT score.

Help me out here folks

Hey! How did you calculate your SGPA? Like do you know if we include physics? I’m kinda confused on which ones to include..cuz all this time I thought psychology will be added, but it’s not

 

[deleted936320]

Hey! How did you calculate your SGPA? Like do you know if we include physics? I’m kinda confused on which ones to include..cuz all this time I thought psychology will be added, but it’s not

It showed up after my OptomCAS was verified. Go into "check status" and download one of the applications and scroll down and it will tell you.

 

[poojerrr]

I definitely agree with Weirdy. I’m a second year right now and those people that get in with lower stats often struggle to stay here. It’s best to really prepare yourself with studying for the OAT than just getting in and potentially get kicked out and have 40K of debt. Sounds harsh but this happened to a kid in my class. Actually worse is someone that graduated and couldn’t pass her boards. Now she’s close to 400K in debt working as an ophthalmic tech.

 

[deleted936320]

I definitely agree with Weirdy. I’m a second year right now and those people that get in with lower stats often struggle to stay here. It’s best to really prepare yourself with studying for the OAT than just getting in and potentially get kicked out and have 40K of debt. Sounds harsh but this happened to a kid in my class. Actually worse is someone that graduated and couldn’t pass her boards. Now she’s close to 400K in debt working as an ophthalmic tech.

how intensive is the coursework?

 

[poojerrr]

how intensive is the coursework?

I mean dude, it’s GRAD school. It’s not easy but it’s not impossible.

If you feel like the OAT is too hard, optometry school isn’t going to be much easier because not only do you have to worry about the classes but you’ll eventually have the NBEO to take on, which you need to pass to practice.

Just make sure you’re applying for the right reasons. Our generation is known for jumping into things because we haven’t fully thought things through.

And by no means am I telling you to give up, if this is genuinely your passion and what you want to do- keep persevering. But don’t settle for somewhere you think you can get by because you’ll screw yourself with boards.

 

[deleted936320]

I mean dude, it’s GRAD school. It’s not easy but it’s not impossible.

If you feel like the OAT is too hard, optometry school isn’t going to be much easier because not only do you have to worry about the classes but you’ll eventually have the NBEO to take on, which you need to pass to practice.

Just make sure you’re applying for the right reasons. Our generation is known for jumping into things because we haven’t fully thought things through.

And by no means am I telling you to give up, if this is genuinely your passion and what you want to do- keep persevering. But don’t settle for somewhere you think you can get by because you’ll screw yourself with boards.

This is definitely something I want to do. I look forward going to work every day and I'm just a TECH, lol. Can't wait to be an OD. I do admit though studying for the OAT is hard currently because of the lack of motivation/being a mess/not having a rigid schedule. I haven't even taken a physics class either so that doesn't help, but yeah. I guess I'm trying 😛

 

[poojerrr]

This is definitely something I want to do. I look forward going to work every day and I'm just a TECH, lol. Can't wait to be an OD. I do admit though studying for the OAT is hard currently because of the lack of motivation/being a mess/not having a rigid schedule. I haven't even taken a physics class either so that doesn't help, but yeah. I guess I'm trying 😛

If you really want it- find that motivation. I applied with under a 3.0 GPA but I scored a 360 on the OAT. I did that with having taken Bio and Chem over five years prior, Physics 1 three years prior and got a C in it, Ochem two years prior and first failed it then made a C in it. That OAT score gave me an acceptance into all the schools I chose to interview at (SCO, UHCO, and UAB).

I tell you that to help you find your motivation and that despite your low GPA, if you kill your OAT- you’ll have a CHOICE in where you want to go.

 

[Weirdy]

I mean dude, it’s GRAD school. It’s not easy but it’s not impossible.

If you feel like the OAT is too hard, optometry school isn’t going to be much easier because not only do you have to worry about the classes but you’ll eventually have the NBEO to take on, which you need to pass to practice.

Just make sure you’re applying for the right reasons. Our generation is known for jumping into things because we haven’t fully thought things through.

And by no means am I telling you to give up, if this is genuinely your passion and what you want to do- keep persevering. But don’t settle for somewhere you think you can get by because you’ll screw yourself with boards.

6 lectures 4 labs for UHCO and that was just first semester.

You're talking 20+ credit hours per semester. In class from 9am-5pm or later. And this doesn't even include study time outside of class.

I never went optometry, but I respect the education they put you through. During dedicated exams week, if you havn't been studying up until then it will be near impossible to just cram for a class like neuroanatomy the night before when you've already taken 3 exams for 3 days straight.

I've found that some students work better with a fire under their ass. If you have an issue with lack of structure, consider working + research at the same time you're studying for the OAT. So you are FORCED to make the most of your time and structure it.

 

[deleted936320]

6 lectures 4 labs for UHCO and that was just first semester.

You're talking 20+ credit hours per semester. In class from 9am-5pm or later. And this doesn't even include study time outside of class.

I never went optometry, but I respect the education they put you through. During dedicated exams week, if you havn't been studying up until then it will be near impossible to just cram for a class like neuroanatomy the night before when you've already taken 3 exams for 3 days straight.

I've found that some students work better with a fire under their ass. If you have an issue with lack of structure, consider working + research at the same time you're studying for the OAT. So you are FORCED to make the most of your time and structure it.

I do have two part-time jobs and trying to study as well. Leaving both jobs at the end of the month so I'll have more time to study

 

[Weirdy]

I do have two part-time jobs and trying to study as well. Leaving both jobs at the end of the month so I'll have more time to study

Hope it works out!

 

[nibs!]

My practice OAT was 290 but the real one was 340.

 

[deleted936320]

My practice OAT was 290 but the real one was 340.

Which practice? I'm doing Kaplan / CracktheOAT. Any tips or tricks?

 

[nibs!]

Which practice? I'm doing Kaplan / CracktheOAT. Any tips or tricks?

I used Kaplan and made flash cards for my worst subjects.