class of 2023!

Started by preopt2019
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WhyNeedAName said:
Date OptomCAS submitted: 10/21/18
Date verified: 10/22/18
OAT Scores: 320TS/310AA
Major: biology
GPA: 2.8 (had my ups and downs lol)
Extracurricular Activities: pre-optometry, BSU, Caribbean student association, over 1000 hours of optometry experience
Schools applied: NSU, Salus
Supplemental Application: NSU
Academic Update submitted: 12/17
Academic Update verified: 1/14
New GPA: 2.92
Interviews extended/date: Salus (10/24) NSU (1/29)
Interviews accepted: Salus (11/12) (2/15)
Interviews declined:
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: Salus (1/16) NSU (2/21!!!)

My interview was a week earlier than anticipated for NSU, which is amazing. They accepted me into the POP, which is still amazing considering how I don't have to travel to Philly anymore and can just drive to Nova lol. I wish everyone else the best of luck!
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Congrats!! Is it definite that you have to do the POP or can you get into the traditional program?
 
optomeyes2018 said:
Congrats!! Is it definite that you have to do the POP or can you get into the traditional program?
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Thank you! And yeah, it's definite. Even though my application was on hold for fall grades, they continued to process me as traditional application until the decision came. They put me in POP because the class is starting to fill and the seats are becoming more competitive.
 
WhyNeedAName said:
Thank you! And yeah, it's definite. Even though my application was on hold for fall grades, they continued to process me as traditional application until the decision came. They put me in POP because the class is starting to fill and the seats are becoming more competitive.
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That's interesting. I met someone else that was put in the POP too, but there are still at least 20+ slots available for the incoming class from what my friend's told me. Hopefully they might be able to move you over too once seats start being declined.
 
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WhyNeedAName said:
Thank you! And yeah, it's definite. Even though my application was on hold for fall grades, they continued to process me as traditional application until the decision came. They put me in POP because the class is starting to fill and the seats are becoming more competitive.
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What is the POP at Nova I have not heard of that program but I have been accepted into the Nova Biological Sciences - Health Sciences Area and hope to apply to Optometry schools the following year.
 
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optomeyes2018 said:
Thank you! if you are invited for an interview does that mean you are most likely accepted?
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I got accepted but the tuition is super expensive. They charge by quarter instead of a semester. Some people that I know they got waitlisted. It takes two week for them to called me that I got accepted.
 
optomeyes2018 said:
Wait it’s 40,000 per quarter??
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No, I do not think is $40000 a quarter. It just second and third year have summer school that cost almost $10000 to 15000 more. The cost of living in Chicago is high. I stayed in the dorm last time for interview and the food in the cafeteria. It was not the best for me. That is why I choose not to go. Also, they have quarter system. It means each term is about 10 weeks. They told me there are test every week in the last eight weeks. About 3 test every week 8 a.m in the morning. Parking in the school is extra charge.
 
ychen111 said:
No, I do not think is $40000 a quarter. It just second and third year have summer school that cost almost $10000 to 15000 more. The cost of living in Chicago is high. I stayed in the dorm last time for interview and the food in the cafeteria. It was not the best for me. That is why I choose not to go. Also, they have quarter system. It means each term is about 10 weeks. They told me there are test every week in the last eight weeks. About 3 test every week 8 a.m in the morning. Parking in the school is extra charge.
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Oh wow that’s good to know! Where else did you apply? Where did you decide to go? I’m from Florida so I really want to stay in state and go to nova but I think it’s filling up
 
I applied to Salus, ICO, and SCO. I got accepted to all three of them and I decide to go to SCO because the board of passing rate and cost of living. One of my friend just got accepted to NOVA. I think Nova is a good school. It just the cost of living is very high there and I would love to move to a place that is so close to the beach.
 
sensualpuma said:
Date OptomCAS submitted: 8/12/2018
Date verified: 8/22/18
OAT Scores: 280AA/260TS
Major: Biology
GPA: 3.14
Extracurricular Activities: Part of dean's student council, worked at a private optometry office w/ 3 doctors for over two years (900+ hours), worked at an urgent care (100+ hours), part of Biology club and Chem club
Schools applied: A lot
Interviews extended/date: PUCO (12/10), PCO (12/17)
Interviews accepted: PUCO (1/10), PCO (1/17)
Interviews declined: Western
Rejections/date: A lot
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Did you apply to nova?
 
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optomeyes2018 said:
Which is a better school, ICO or CCO?
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Can't say anything for CCO, but I had my interview at ICO a few weeks ago.

Although the area around the campus isn't amazing, I thought the school had a phenomenal lecture hall, pre-clinic, and one of the biggest eye care centres i've seen.
I think that given the longstanding reputation of the school and its focus on extensive clinical training, the school would definitely prepare you to do well on the boards examinations and life after optometry school.
 
MedSynapse said:
Can't say anything for CCO, but I had my interview at ICO a few weeks ago.

Although the area around the campus isn't amazing, I thought the school had a phenomenal lecture hall, pre-clinic, and one of the biggest eye care centres i've seen.
I think that given the longstanding reputation of the school and its focus on extensive clinical training, the school would definitely prepare you to do well on the boards examinations and life after optometry school.
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Thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate it!
 
Has anyone been put on the standby list at PCO? All of their offers have gone out, so just wondering if they have any info on the process after being on the standby list
 
DJZ said:
How do you know all their offers have been sent out?
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called them and asked what it meant to be on the standby list and they pretty much said that after the interview they wanted to give me an offer but since all of their offers have gone out I have to wait for those people to make up their minds
 
Date OptomCAS submitted: 8/25/18
Date verified: 8/28/18
OAT Scores: 360 AA/ 370 TS
Major: Biology
GPA: 4.0
Extracurricular Activities: Heartland hospice volunteer, OSU's I-DOC program, 500+ shadowing hours (ophthalmologist, primary optometrist, low vision specialist)
Schools applied: UHCO, OSU, PCO (traditional and accelerated program)
Interviews extended/date: PCO (8/30), OSU (9/4), UHCO (9/4)
Interviews accepted: UHCO (10/08), OSU (10/19), PCO (10/09)
Interviews declined:
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: UHCO (10/09), OSU (10/30), PCO (11/5)

I will be attending UHCO!
 
Date OptomCAS submitted: 12/20/2019
OAT Scores: 340 AA / 340 TS
Major: Biopsychology, B.S.
GPA: 2.90 Overall / 2.61 Science (struggled AF, which is why I applied to so many schools)
Extracurricular Activities: Two community service organizations for three years + leadership positions in both organizations; 21 hours of shadowing; worked at LensCrafters for ~9 months; other volunteer organizations
Schools applied: UMSL, PUCO, AZCOPT, CCO, KYCO, ICO, MCPHS, NOVA, PCO, SCO, OSU, UHCO, UIWRSO, NECO, SCCO, WU
Interviews extended/date: UMSL (12/28), PUCO (1/14), KYCO (1/29), MCPHS (1/3), NOVA (1/10), PCO (12/27), SCO (1/7), UIWRSO (1/8), NECO (12/27), SCCO (1/7), WU (1/16)
Interviews accepted: UMSL (1/25), NOVA (2/15), PCO (1/29; withdrew 2/26), SCO (2/8), NECO (2/1), SCCO (3/15)
Interviews declined: PUCO, KYCO, MCPHS, UIWRSO, WU
Rejections/date: AZCOPT (1/8), CCO (12/28), ICO (1/17), OSU (2/1),UHCO (2/25)
Acceptance/date: UMSL (2/11), NOVA (2/21), SCO (2/22), NECO (2/15), SCCO (3/18)

My GPA is incredibly below average lol, but as you can see, OD schools look beyond your grades/scores.. thankfully :'-) Good luck to everyone who's in the process of applying right now! U CAN DO IT

Deciding between NECO and SCCO right now, and I'd love to hear some input! Thoughts??

***EDIT: I'm going to NECO! :'-)
 
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Date OptomCAS submitted: 12/27/18
Date verified: 12/28/18
OAT Scores: AA 290 / TS 280 (2/4/17) —> AA 330 / TS 320 (2/9/19)
Major: Biology
GPA: cumulative 3.02, science 2.79
Extracurricular Activities: 6000+ hours teching in 3 different optometry/ophthalmology clinics (over 3.5 years, I’m 25)
Schools applied: MCPHS, NECO, ICO, Salus
Interviews extended/date: MCPHS (1/18), NECO (2/11), ICO (invited to fill secondary application 2/12), Salus (2/13)
Interviews accepted: MCPHS (1/28), NECO (3/6), Salus (2/28 moved to 3/19 due to weather, eventually withdrew my application)
Interviews declined: Withdrew my applications for ICO & Salus after NECO acceptance
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: MCPHS (2/13), NECO (3/8)

I’ll be going to NECO in the Fall!
 
congrat for your sharing.
from your experience compare with my. I think it's better apply later than earlie unless you are very high in OAT/GPA

my OAT 330/330 and my GPA 3.1 to 3.2. I got rejected from NECO, Pacific last November.

I also knew some OAT 300-310 and GPA around 2.9 get accepted from NECO and Pacific.

thanks
 
Hello all!

I have 4 interviews coming up in the next 4 weeks (MMU, NECO, PUCO, and SCCO). Does anyone have any insight/tips for me on what I should prepare for? I'm super nervous!

Also, does anyone know if I may still have a chance to be accepted? Or is it likely all spots have been filled?

Thanks!
 
Optogirl93 said:
Date OptomCAS submitted: 12/27/18
Date verified: 12/28/18
OAT Scores: AA 290 / TS 280 (2/4/17) —> AA 330 / TS 320 (2/9/19)
Major: Biology
GPA: cumulative 3.02, science 2.79
Extracurricular Activities: 6000+ hours teching in 3 different optometry/ophthalmology clinics (over 3.5 years, I’m 25)
Schools applied: MCPHS, NECO, ICO, Salus
Interviews extended/date: MCPHS (1/18), NECO (2/11), ICO (invited to fill secondary application 2/12), Salus (2/13)
Interviews accepted: MCPHS (1/28), NECO (3/6), Salus (2/28 moved to 3/19 due to weather, eventually withdrew my application)
Interviews declined: Withdrew my applications for ICO & Salus after NECO acceptance
Rejections/date:
Acceptance/date: MCPHS (2/13), NECO (3/8)

I’ll be going to NECO in the Fall!
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Hi! Congrats on picking a school!! I have an interview at MCPHS coming up! How was your interview? Any specific questions that stood out?? Thank you!!!
 
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SGclassof2023 said:
called them and asked what it meant to be on the standby list and they pretty much said that after the interview they wanted to give me an offer but since all of their offers have gone out I have to wait for those people to make up their minds
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I’m in the same boat
 
IceCreamLover34536 said:
I was placed on the alternate list for UHCO.
Has anyone else been placed on this list for UHCO or for some other school?
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I’m a current 1st year at UHCO and was placed on the alternate list when I applied last year. I think it’s common for them to waitlist applicants that applied/interviewed late in the cycle. But anyways, I got off the waitlist 1st week of May.
 
Kon22 said:
I’m a current 1st year at UHCO and was placed on the alternate list when I applied last year. I think it’s common for them to waitlist applicants that applied/interviewed late in the cycle. But anyways, I got off the waitlist 1st week of May.
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Does it really take that long to get off the waitlist?
 
IceCreamLover34536 said:
Does it really take that long to get off the waitlist?
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It’s pretty late into the cycle, my interview may have been even a bit later if I remember correctly. It really just depends on how many people decline their acceptances and open up seats. You can talk to OOR for more information but I believe they told me people could potentially get off the waitlist up until late summer.
 
Kon22 said:
It’s pretty late into the cycle, my interview may have been even a bit later if I remember correctly. It really just depends on how many people decline their acceptances and open up seats. You can talk to OOR for more information but I believe they told me people could potentially get off the waitlist up until late summer.
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Cool. Thank you. Do you remember what month your interview was? I had my interview on March 18th and I got an email saying I was on the waitlist on March 24th
 
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technicianchris said:
Hello all!

I have 4 interviews coming up in the next 4 weeks (MMU, NECO, PUCO, and SCCO). Does anyone have any insight/tips for me on what I should prepare for? I'm super nervous!

Also, does anyone know if I may still have a chance to be accepted? Or is it likely all spots have been filled?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Although it is late in the cycle and many spots are taken a lot of people apply broadly and will start declining acceptances at schools they got in to but decided not to go to. Even if you get waitlisted, there’s a chance you’ll still get accepted after a while, it’s always a good idea to give your best effort at the interviews. I’m a current student at UHCO but I interviewed at several schools and got into all that I interviewed at. For MWU Arizona, the faculty/interviewers seemed the most laid back compared to other schools. It was a 2 on 1 interview but not stressful at all. I also interviewed at NECO which was a more traditional 1 on 1 style. Try to find something in common with the interviewer to talk about, for me it was talking about research with interviewers that were active in scientific research.
 
-Date OptomCAS submitted: 1/15/2019

-Date verified: 1/23/2019

-OAT Scores: 280TS/280 AA (had to retake, 330 AA/TS)

-Major: Exercise Science

-GPA: 3.4

-Extracurricular Activities: Pre health club, 500-ish clinical hours, 150 non-clinic hours

-Schools applied: ICO, CCO, AZCOPT, SCO, NOVA, UIWRSO, PCO

-Interviews extended/date: NOVA, CCO, AZCOPT (before retaking OAT). ICO, PCO, UIWRSO (after retaking OAT)

-Interviews accepted: ICO, PCO, UIWRSO

-Interviews declined: NOVA, CCO, AZCOPT

-Rejections/date: SCO 3/5/2019. I missed their OAT deadline

-Acceptance/date: PCO 4/2/2019, UIWRSO 4/9/2019.

Going to UIWRSO !!:soexcited::clap:
 
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