GPA sucks

[ankh]

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My GPA is currently 2.68 (SUCKS)and I am a soph undergrad. If the gpa doesn't rise and I make an awesome score on the OAT (<360)would they still accept me at an Optometry College? 🙁

 

[darling]

My GPA is currently 2.68 (SUCKS)and I am a soph undergrad. If the gpa doesn't rise and I make an awesome score on the OAT (<360)would they still accept me at an Optometry College? 🙁

Sure it's possible, but it's risky to rely on a great score, esp if you take the OAT right before you plan to apply. Not saying that you can't do it, but that it might not be enough in your application to overlook the GPA. The good thing I see in your question is that you are a sophomore, so you still have the advantage of time to build your app. Try to get that GPA to a 3.0, study real hard to get that good OAT, but also use the time that you have now to start volunteering/working in an optometry enviroment.

Personally, I think longterm committments are invaluable and send a strong message about dedication. You have a whole year.

If you can, maybe volunteer in community service projects that you're interested in as well. This is my suggestion because at my interviews, I spent a considerable amount of time talking about my volunteering and I felt that the interviewers really responded and were interested. It's a good way to show that you care to back up what you say.

Sorry long answer. Hope it's some help.

 

[ariel winter]

very true. do try to boost your gpa, you do have time on your side. good luck. 👍

Sure it's possible, but it's risky to rely on a great score, esp if you take the OAT right before you plan to apply.

 

[ankh]

Yea I see alot of good points in your posts. Thanks for the positive feedback. I am really trying hard to raise my GPA this semester. It got low because I decided to take on Organic chem I with cal and physics and it didn't work out for me at all. So now I'm just taking cal2, phys2, microbio and 2 other history classes for my minor.
I am trying really hard to find a place to volunteer. I have volunteered in the past at UHCO but only got as far as clerical work for an office. I am continuing with that but I am not sure if it even counts as experience because it's not with the optometrist him/herself. What do you think?

 

[ankh]

Yea I see alot of good points in your posts. Thanks for the positive feedback. I am really trying hard to raise my GPA this semester. It got low because I decided to take on Organic chem I with cal and physics and it didn't work out for me at all. So now I'm just taking cal2, phys2, microbio and 2 other history classes for my minor.
I am trying really hard to find a place to volunteer. I have volunteered in the past at UHCO but only got as far as clerical work for an office. I am continuing with that but I am not sure if it even counts as experience because it's not with the optometrist him/herself. What do you think?

 

[darling]

Yea I see alot of good points in your posts. Thanks for the positive feedback. I am really trying hard to raise my GPA this semester. It got low because I decided to take on Organic chem I with cal and physics and it didn't work out for me at all. So now I'm just taking cal2, phys2, microbio and 2 other history classes for my minor.
I am trying really hard to find a place to volunteer. I have volunteered in the past at UHCO but only got as far as clerical work for an office. I am continuing with that but I am not sure if it even counts as experience because it's not with the optometrist him/herself. What do you think?

Yeah, I had trouble finding real volunteer work with an optometrist too. I volunteered through the university medical center in the dept with an optometrist. Mostly what I did was clerical work (filing records, organizing contacts, calling patients). The benefits were that I did have contact with the optometrist even though I didn't shadow him while he was working with patients. Also, I was able to observe alot of the workings of a very busy practice, which gave me something to talk about at interviews. When they asked me if I would/wounld not like to work in that enviroment, I had reasoning to back up my answer. They do ask how long you've volunteered, and it helped to be able to say one year on a consistent basis rather than a few times.

So, from my own experience, I think its important to have some exposure to a clinical setting regardless of what you do there. Actual shadowing would be extremely helpful to you, both on the application, and to talk about when they ask. Some cases, it's required. This was definitely a weakness in my app that caused me alot of stress.