D
deleted848155
Hello,
I just graduated from a school and am taking a gap year then going for optometry school. I always knew I wanted to do a gap year, but the last day of the deadline for SUNY and Salus I applied. I got an interview for both just a couple of days after submission. SUNY was my first interview and it went horribly. Like I knew the second I walked in I already screwed up and I couldn't redeem myself. Salus went really well. I unfortunately booked my interview the very last day they were holding interviews for the 2019 cycle and was waitlisted and every time I have called back to see what could have gone better they said, just apply earlier. They have still been keeping me posted regarding any movement in the class. I was rejected from SUNY (my top choice).
However, I still would like to apply early for the 2020 cycle. SUNY said to work on my interview schools and retake my OAT. My OAT is low, but since my stats for my transcript, extra curricular, optometry involvement is pretty good I didn't think my low OAT scores would hinder things too much especially since I already got an interview from them. My OAT score is a 300. I scheduled it 2 months prior and didn't know that same week was midterm week where I had 5 exams that I was not allowed to reschedule. And I had to travel 5 hours home to take the OAT and travel back 5 hours within 24 hours to take my midterms.
I am in no position to finance applications AND OAT again. SUNY said I should really retake it. OAT and mock interviews is what was suggested to me.
My question for you is, I got on the deans list my last semester of college. I am a contact lens specialist part time, I am an optical tech part time, and a medical scribe per diem. I am also shadowing an optometrist this summer.
How bad is it if I apply again and dont retake the OAT when they emphasized it? I would be okay with retaking it, but I just truly cannot afford it especially with paying for applications? Do you think if I emailed SUNY admissions they'd be understanding and would accept the fact I can not retake it and still invite me for an interview?
Any suggestions?
Do you think I should email SUNY and say "I am working on everything you have suggested to better my application, but I an struggling to afford to take the OAT again. Do you think there is any way for me to apply and explain my situation why I did not retake the OAT and still possibly score an interview?"
Best
I just graduated from a school and am taking a gap year then going for optometry school. I always knew I wanted to do a gap year, but the last day of the deadline for SUNY and Salus I applied. I got an interview for both just a couple of days after submission. SUNY was my first interview and it went horribly. Like I knew the second I walked in I already screwed up and I couldn't redeem myself. Salus went really well. I unfortunately booked my interview the very last day they were holding interviews for the 2019 cycle and was waitlisted and every time I have called back to see what could have gone better they said, just apply earlier. They have still been keeping me posted regarding any movement in the class. I was rejected from SUNY (my top choice).
However, I still would like to apply early for the 2020 cycle. SUNY said to work on my interview schools and retake my OAT. My OAT is low, but since my stats for my transcript, extra curricular, optometry involvement is pretty good I didn't think my low OAT scores would hinder things too much especially since I already got an interview from them. My OAT score is a 300. I scheduled it 2 months prior and didn't know that same week was midterm week where I had 5 exams that I was not allowed to reschedule. And I had to travel 5 hours home to take the OAT and travel back 5 hours within 24 hours to take my midterms.
I am in no position to finance applications AND OAT again. SUNY said I should really retake it. OAT and mock interviews is what was suggested to me.
My question for you is, I got on the deans list my last semester of college. I am a contact lens specialist part time, I am an optical tech part time, and a medical scribe per diem. I am also shadowing an optometrist this summer.
How bad is it if I apply again and dont retake the OAT when they emphasized it? I would be okay with retaking it, but I just truly cannot afford it especially with paying for applications? Do you think if I emailed SUNY admissions they'd be understanding and would accept the fact I can not retake it and still invite me for an interview?
Any suggestions?
Do you think I should email SUNY and say "I am working on everything you have suggested to better my application, but I an struggling to afford to take the OAT again. Do you think there is any way for me to apply and explain my situation why I did not retake the OAT and still possibly score an interview?"
Best
Last edited by a moderator:
