Good planned out dates...?

[JenEyeAm]

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Hey everyone,

I'm new to the forum and would like some advice! I've been trying to plan ahead to apply for class of 2014...I was hoping to get feedback on my progress to see if I'm heading in the right direction or am I doing everything too late?...here goes:

I'll be taking classes with Kaplan on June 15, 2009 to July 29, 2009

then take the OAT ASAP early August...expecting to receive my score end of August?

Start sending applications out to SUNY, NECO, PCO, and maayybe SCCO in September or October...?

Sounds like a good plan?

 

[JMU07]

With the OAT you get your score immediately after the test is over - not like the MCAT where you have to wait forever! It's an agonizing 5 or 10 seconds, let me tell you. 😀

Definitely the earlier you apply, the better!!! Looks great to me. 👍

 

[gochi]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the forum and would like some advice! I've been trying to plan ahead to apply for class of 2014...I was hoping to get feedback on my progress to see if I'm heading in the right direction or am I doing everything too late?...here goes:

I'll be taking classes with Kaplan on June 15, 2009 to July 29, 2009

then take the OAT ASAP early August...expecting to receive my score end of August?

Start sending applications out to SUNY, NECO, PCO, and maayybe SCCO in September or October...?

Sounds like a good plan?

others may disagree, but the OAT does not seem difficult. i say its a waste of your money (& time) to take the kaplan course.

 

[JenEyeAm]

Thanks JMU07! I can only imagine the 5-10 seconds...lol

others may disagree, but the OAT does not seem difficult. i say its a waste of your money (& time) to take the kaplan course.

Thanks for your input gochi, but I think it would be a nice refresher for all of the old materials with Kaplan. I wasn't so sure at first but I don't want to lessen my chances if I overestimate myself. Did anyone take it with Kaplan and showed improvement with scores?

 

[eheaps]

I actually thought the Kaplan course benefited me a lot. However, it is still not worth the money. The online actives have a setup almost exact to the OAT which was very nice to see. If you feel like you've been away from the material for a while it's a good way to review and get you to study the stuff.

 

[j3w3li]

Thanks JMU07! I can only imagine the 5-10 seconds...lol



Thanks for your input gochi, but I think it would be a nice refresher for all of the old materials with Kaplan. I wasn't so sure at first but I don't want to lessen my chances if I overestimate myself. Did anyone take it with Kaplan and showed improvement with scores?

Kaplan material (thick review books, practice problems and computer based workshops) are excellent material for review. Kaplan instructor may be a toss up. Their compentency/mastery of material may be questionable. For example, the instructor can score a 400 on a topic, and may not master the material enough to teach someone. My Kaplan instructor literally read from a piece of paper, how to do OCHEM...and could not answer any questions that were not on the "magical piece of paper"...

I finished the class not learning anything and taught myself everything after the class ended using the think review book (took notes on every subject, read every page) and then did tons of practice problems. I also purchased Achiever (completely recommend!). My actual OAT was very reflective of the scores I got from Kaplan practice tests and Achiever practice tests.

Before I took the Kaplan course, I took a full length practice test with Kaplan (free event) to see where I stand. Most of my scores were below 300 (AA~260), I literally guessed on everything. I "re-taught" myself everything using the Kaplan review book and Achiever in 3 weeks. Definitely a huge improvement, TS 340, AA 340.

K, hope that helps & good luck 🙂

 

[captainnerd]

I thought the exam was much harder than what I prepared for and I thought I did horrible. During the 5-10 seconds where the computer is "calculating", I seriously thought about picking up the computer and smashing it to the floor. I am not kidding. The thought went through my mind. I didn't want the score to report.

And another thing, the scores began calculating without any warning. If I remember correctly, it asked me if I wanted to take an optional survey and I clicked "No" and immediately, the next screen started blinking with a progress bar and it said "calculating score..." and I nearly freaked.

I actually did very well and was quite excited once the score showed up.

Also, make sure that you take the OAT before one of the school's deadline for the OAT. One school, I don't remember which, requires that you take it before June or July (I don't remember the exact month either).

 

[JMU07]

I thought the exam was much harder than what I prepared for and I thought I did horrible. During the 5-10 seconds where the computer is "calculating", I seriously thought about picking up the computer and smashing it to the floor. I am not kidding. The thought went through my mind. I didn't want the score to report.

This is exactly how I felt, but also ended up with pretty good scores. It's scary!! I didn't use any classes or Achiever or any of that, just bought the Kaplan material from someone on here. Jen - see if you can find someone that's selling it!

 

[JenEyeAm]

Thanks everyone for the response! 😍

It's too bad I already bought the classes...I guess I was too anxious to prepare for the OAT. It's ok though, hopefully the instructor I get won't have a little piece of paper to read out of! lol

I really appreciate any input coming from here..SDN really saves my life lol. 👍

 

[OpticalBlackOut]

Thanks everyone for the response! 😍

It's too bad I already bought the classes...I guess I was too anxious to prepare for the OAT. It's ok though, hopefully the instructor I get won't have a little piece of paper to read out of! lol

I really appreciate any input coming from here..SDN really saves my life lol. 👍

Since you already spent the money, I found the online materials from Kaplan's archive really useful, actually.
If nothing else, just doing all the online homework was enough to prepare for the entire test (didn't need Destroyer/Achiever), and the course put me on a nice schedule for studying.
Send out those applications early, it's a huge advantage to have your file reviewed early, good luck

 

[blysssful]

The only issue I'd see with that is that often people want a couple weeks after the class to make sure you're ready for the test. If you really want to stay in a class, you should try to see if you can take it earlier in the summer. Personally, I agree it was a waste, but the online materials were very helpful. If you could, you should apply as soon as you get your scores. It's difficult to balance once the semester starts to try to deal with applications and schoolwork. You should start to get your LORs set up now so that your recommenders don't feel rushed.


gochi-- why bother giving input on the OAT or taking a course for it when you haven't taken the test?

 

[prettygreeneyes]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the forum and would like some advice! I've been trying to plan ahead to apply for class of 2014...I was hoping to get feedback on my progress to see if I'm heading in the right direction or am I doing everything too late?...here goes:

I'll be taking classes with Kaplan on June 15, 2009 to July 29, 2009

then take the OAT ASAP early August...expecting to receive my score end of August?

Start sending applications out to SUNY, NECO, PCO, and maayybe SCCO in September or October...?

Sounds like a good plan?

I agree with others who have suggested getting your apps in close to the time you take the OAT. OptomCAS (the new universal app) will be available starting July 15th, so September/October, which used to be rather early in the application cycle, will now be on the later end of the spectrum. Blysssful is right - getting the apps done before your semester (if you are in school) gets too heavy is always a good idea.

Here is the link for info on the new central app:

http://www.opted.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3499

Side note: What is the cost of the OAT prep course? I paid $465 for a KMK review course for NBEO Part 1, and if I remember right, the OAT course is more than that? Pre-opts are getting ripped off... 🙁


Good luck!

 

[jymezg]

Side note: What is the cost of the OAT prep course? I paid $465 for a KMK review course for NBEO Part 1, and if I remember right, the OAT course is more than that? Pre-opts are getting ripped off... 🙁

I'll drink to that, kaplan is a ripoff. 1400 bucks is the cost for the course. 😱

But if you play your cards right ive seen COUPONS!!!

http://www.kaptest.com/Optometry/OA...sroom-Programs/OP_oat_class.html&ProductId=37

 

[prettygreeneyes]

I'll drink to that, kaplan is a ripoff. 1400 bucks is the cost for the course. 😱

But if you play your cards right ive seen COUPONS!!!

http://www.kaptest.com/Optometry/OA...sroom-Programs/OP_oat_class.html&ProductId=37

😱 Oh my. And I thought I was paying too much...

 

[WeeNinja]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the forum and would like some advice! I've been trying to plan ahead to apply for class of 2014...I was hoping to get feedback on my progress to see if I'm heading in the right direction or am I doing everything too late?...here goes:

I'll be taking classes with Kaplan on June 15, 2009 to July 29, 2009

then take the OAT ASAP early August...expecting to receive my score end of August?

Start sending applications out to SUNY, NECO, PCO, and maayybe SCCO in September or October...?

Sounds like a good plan?

your timelime looks good to me. i also took the OAT in early august and things turned out fine. =)

 

[blysssful]

your timelime looks good to me. i also took the OAT in early august and things turned out fine. =)

I didn't take mine til September... but it's different this year w/ the central application thing that starts in July!

 

[Oogilily]

I would also take the OAT earlier in the year. I would definetely get it done before applications start in July. With the new system I would apply in July and not in september or October. There are interviews going on in October even on the old system. Get your application in as early as you can. With th new system, that would be July. Go to the website for the system for more details.

 

[WeeNinja]

ooo, good call. i forgot that the new application starts earlier this year.