First year nightmare?

[kdiddy89]

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Hey Everyone,

I need some advice and opinions as to what optometry schools think about first year GPA. I did a full year of university in 2007-2008 and came out with a 2.3 gpa. (aka, school was not my importance at that time and I didn't know how to study). It wasn't until January of 2011 that I returned to school after some service work in Africa and am now currently holding a GPA of 3.2 at my current institution. I will be writing the OAT on January 23rd as well. I realize that all schools will calculate my GPA WITH my first year included, but do many schools recognize progress and growth in individuals? Would they look at students like myself as potential candidates for optometry? I'm hoping that they will recognize that I obviously wasn't concerned with school my first year, but decided to change that and am now studying hard!

 

[Commando303]

Hey Everyone,

I need some advice and opinions as to what optometry schools think about first year GPA. I did a full year of university in 2007-2008 and came out with a 2.3 gpa. (aka, school was not my importance at that time and I didn't know how to study). It wasn't until January of 2011 that I returned to school after some service work in Africa and am now currently holding a GPA of 3.2 at my current institution. I will be writing the OAT on January 23rd as well. I realize that all schools will calculate my GPA WITH my first year included, but do many schools recognize progress and growth in individuals? Would they look at students like myself as potential candidates for optometry? I'm hoping that they will recognize that I obviously wasn't concerned with school my first year, but decided to change that and am now studying hard!

Contact the admissions offices of the colleges to which you'd like to apply, and explain your situation; they'll be better suited to advise you in this regard than will be anyone in this forum.

 

[pudgie84]

i believe most schools will look at how you've grown. as long as you do well the rest of your time in school and do well on the OAT, you should be fine. Pacific looks at the GPA of your last 45 credits specifically for this reason. i'm sure other schools so as well

 

[Loptometriste]

So what is your overall GPA? I agree they look for improvement.

My grades were not impressive...then I spent 6 months in Africa...after I had a 3.5 steady and graduated with a 3.9 in my last semester. I guess there is something about Africa that makes you come home and study harder to get your O.D.! 😉

 

[kdiddy89]

So what is your overall GPA? I agree they look for improvement.

My grades were not impressive...then I spent 6 months in Africa...after I had a 3.5 steady and graduated with a 3.9 in my last semester. I guess there is something about Africa that makes you come home and study harder to get your O.D.! 😉

Taking into consideration my first year GPA of 2.3, my GPA should be around a 2.8-2.9 overall, which isn't great. But every semester since 2011, I have had over a 3.0, one of the semesters being a 3.4. Yes, I agree, I've gained a way better understanding of studying after spending time in africa!