early admissions

[tracymacy]

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I am on my junior year of college. My GPA is a 3.59 and I haven't taken my oat yet but am considering applying to programs that accept students without a bachelor's degree. I have worked at an optometry clinic for about a year now and I am also vp in quite a few different organizations. I am not able to take my oat until the end of December so I would be a little late in the application process. Do I have a decent chance of getting accepted?!

 

[paasnaas]

I am on my junior year of college. My GPA is a 3.59 and I haven't taken my oat yet but am considering applying to programs that accept students without a bachelor's degree. I have worked at an optometry clinic for about a year now and I am also vp in quite a few different organizations. I am not able to take my oat until the end of December so I would be a little late in the application process. Do I have a decent chance of getting accepted?!

I remember that there are a few schools that do allow applicants w/o taking the OAT but students GPA's vary from school to school. OAT is weighed a lot more than GPA for that reason. The OAT puts every applicant on an even playing field vs GPA's do not. Your chances will definitely be less but that's not to say you don't have a chance. You have a competitive GPA regardless which is a plus so I do think you may have a decent chance depending on how competitive the optometry school is. Maybe get in touch with the admissions committee and ask to see if they can put you in contact with students that were in the same boat as you.

 

[thisguy88]

EVERY school requires you to take the OAT. Not every school requires you to have your bachelors. You may receive interview invites before taking your OATs, but in order to get accepted, you must have your OAT scores submitted and evaluated. Plus, each school may have additional requirements (such as additional pre-reqs) for applicants that will not receive a bachelors, so I would check the admissions office on that.

As for your question, do well on your OATs and you will be competitive. Your GPA is good.

 

[fifa518]

You should be fine. Send your app in early if you can, and then take the OAT and send them your unofficial scores via Fax so they can add it to your file before the 30 day wait period of the official scores being sent out.. You're stats are great and yes you have chances. Schools are required to save seats for later applicants. You will be fine.