Getting in after 3 years

[I-Ball]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I was just wondering as to how many people have tried this? For most schools it seems to be the 'minimun' but does it put you at a competitive disadvantage in anyway? Are two candidates with equivalent statistics considered equal if one is applying after 3 years and the other after 4? Do you guys see any pros and/or cons in general?

TIA,

I-Ball

 

[rpames]

The schools do prefer a BA or BS, but I know few here at ICO that don't have one. I'm pretty sure that it is easier for a student with a degree to get in. By that I mean, I know students here that for what ever reason (good OAT or what ever) that had pretty low undergrade GPAs , like below 2.8. I would imaging if you are applying without a degree you would not get in with a lower GPA. They would probably tell you to go the extra year and try to bring it up.

BUT, if you are applying with a 3.4+, a good OAT, experience, and good letters...go for it! Get out as soon as you can!

This is just my opinion so someone correct me please.

 

[cpw]

there are schools now that REQUIRE a degree before matriculation.. make sure the schools you're interested don't fall into that category.
I'm pretty sure UHCO requires a degree now.

 

[cdh86]

Waterloo has a bunch of pre-req's, that depending on your university, you COULD complete in two years, and it has been done....but most applicants have at least 3 yeaars, if not, a BSc. Although the requirements are changing in the near future, to my knowledge.

CH

 

[jefguth]

Waterloo likely won't have a revision of requirements in the next couple of years. Just two years ago they reduced the number of pre-req's because it would have been difficult to get them all if you had not been thinking optometry before second year. As a result the number of applicants is up quite a bit over previous years, from low 200's to 300. I believe there were three people who got in with two years of undergrad this year, this is difficult to do even at UW, but most have either 3 years or a B.Sc.
~Jeff

 

[Tokey]

Waterloo likely won't have a revision of requirements in the next couple of years. Just two years ago they reduced the number of pre-req's because it would have been difficult to get them all if you had not been thinking optometry before second year. As a result the number of applicants is up quite a bit over previous years, from low 200's to 300. I believe there were three people who got in with two years of undergrad this year, this is difficult to do even at UW, but most have either 3 years or a B.Sc.
~Jeff

Actually, the plan right now (from the administration at UW) is to increase the number of pre-reqs for UW for the starting class in 2008. Basically, the ACOE (Accrediation Council on Optometric Education) came to UW last year or the year before, reviewed our curriculum, and decided that it would be easier to add more courses to the pre-requisites rather than revamp the optometry curriculum. The current students have attempted to explain to the admin that this is NOT a good idea as Waterloo already has an insane amount of pre-requisites that are incredibly difficult to obtain from a single university in four years (except for UW), but unfortunately, our complaints have fallen on deaf ears...They also plan to make it an absolute requirement for at least 3 years of undergrad, with the majority of acceptances holding a bachelor's degree.
~Tokey~

 

[I-Ball]

Wow, some interesting information here. The schools that I'm applying to in the states don't require a degree but they all do recommend it which is why I was a little bit concerned.

In terms of Waterloo, I find it absurd that there are almost twice the number of pre-requisites that there are for other schools. To hear that they want to increase it is really disappointing. Maybe their curriculum and number of pre-reqs is the reason they don't allow transfer students?

Thanks for the info people, I think I'm going to apply with what I have and see what happens. If I don't get in, I'm in an undergraduate stream which would have me (in all likelyhood) graduate with an honours next as opposed to just a B.Sc so maybe it'll give me an extra edge next year. *shruggs*

I-Ball

 

[rpames]

Although I'm sure you know this, I want to make it clear to everyone reading...No US school will accept a student with less than 3 years of undergrad, and most highly recommend, if not require, a BS/BA.

 

[cdh86]

I don't think the complaints have fallen on deaf ears....they held a meeting not too long ago about the admission requirements. Dr. Cooper from what I know is a supporter of making thte requirements more along those required for most med schools (a little more specific...as opposed to ANY Bachelors, you would need x amount of years in a BSc program). Natalie (can't remember her last name....she's a prof there too) I think is also a supporter....

CH

 

[PLPrincess]

I was just wondering as to how many people have tried this? For most schools it seems to be the 'minimun' but does it put you at a competitive disadvantage in anyway? Are two candidates with equivalent statistics considered equal if one is applying after 3 years and the other after 4? Do you guys see any pros and/or cons in general?

TIA,

I-Ball

I'm trying right now...i'm in my 3rd year and want to start at NECO (hopefully) in the fall. My undergrad school has a matriculation agreement with them which is supposed to allow me to get in after 3 years of undergrad. I'm also applying to PCO and ICO though, just in case. I have a good GPA, a bunch of experience, and I'm praying for decent OAT scores. I know that when I was at PCO, they mentioned a couple of matriculation agreements just like mine with other undergrad institutions, but they said as long as you're a strong candidate you should be fine....

 

[Xalatan1]

I was just wondering as to how many people have tried this? For most schools it seems to be the 'minimun' but does it put you at a competitive disadvantage in anyway? Are two candidates with equivalent statistics considered equal if one is applying after 3 years and the other after 4? Do you guys see any pros and/or cons in general?

TIA,

I-Ball

There is usually no minimum in terms of how many years you try and apply