Extra-curricular Activities

[bizibee]

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I know that getting into Optometry School is not just about the OATs and Academics, so I just wanted to know what people who are already in optometry schools did during their undergraduate years for extra-curricular activities like being part of clubs and volunteering. Where they mostly related to optometry? Thanks for taking the time to read.

 

[sco1styear]

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[al-majhul]

I know that getting into Optometry School is not just about the OATs and Academics, so I just wanted to know what people who are already in optometry schools did during their undergraduate years for extra-curricular activities like being part of clubs and volunteering. Where they mostly related to optometry? Thanks for taking the time to read.

You might want to read this post...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=191782

 

[3eb4me]

You might want to read this post...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=191782

How much emphasis do you think the admission committee place on those activities? I think I am 'too involved' from college senator to optometric tech to international premed team leader,etc... Being busy all the time hindered my study habits a little bit and my gpa is kinda low (3.3). Do you think that would suffice as a reasonable explanation for grades?

 

[al-majhul]

How much emphasis do you think the admission committee place on those activities? I think I am 'too involved' from college senator to optometric tech to international premed team leader,etc... Being busy all the time hindered my study habits a little bit and my gpa is kinda low (3.3). Do you think that would suffice as a reasonable explanation for grades?

3.3 isn't a horrible GPA; it's quite likely that if you have tons of extracurriculars, the admissions committees would understand it may have affected your grades, but I would back up your explanations by rocking the OAT (where you really shouldn't let your extracurriculars meddle with your studying and subsequent score).

 

[ucbsowarrior]

How much emphasis do you think the admission committee place on those activities? I think I am 'too involved' from college senator to optometric tech to international premed team leader,etc... Being busy all the time hindered my study habits a little bit and my gpa is kinda low (3.3). Do you think that would suffice as a reasonable explanation for grades?

3.3 is on the avg or low side for the top tier schools. extracirricular activities are essential, but it depends what you did, the quantity, scope and quality of the activities. in the end it really depends what the admissions comittee feel you took away from your experiences. if you did 1000 hours of volunteering to help sick kids, but you were charged with beating up youngsters....that probabaly wouldn't help you...so it all depends what you took away from the experience....not just the mere journey.

just one last note, if you were the playboy campus rep at your school, it's probably not a good idea to add that on your application.....well i'll leave that judgement call for yourself.

 

[3eb4me]

just one last note, if you were the playboy campus rep at your school, it's probably not a good idea to add that on your application.....well i'll leave that judgement call for yourself.

Wow...playboy camp rep. Was that your backup plan? No, I don't think I fall into that category. 🙂 Thanks for the advice.