Help with applying!!

[AzOpt89]

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I am thinking about applying to schools in july but don't really know if I have a good chance. I still have yet to take my OAT exam but i am hoping for a pretty high score on it. My GPA that I will be applying with is about a 3.1 which is realllly low unfortunately 🙁 that is why i am not sure if i should even apply or wait till next year. Aside from community service and volunteering, the only thing that is worrying me is my GPA. The only school i have in mind is Midwestern University in Arizona. If you guys could please give me some feed back I would really appreciate it.


Aside from that if i wanted to retake a course that was a pre-req for example bio, would my new grade only show up in my application or do they not replace grades? Also do they accept A+'s?

 

[dollkiss]

I think if you take your OAT soon and do well on it, you have a good shot of getting into Midwestern. I say apply for this round and if you don't get in, then apply next year. I would try to get your application in asap so you have a better chance of being accepted. With your GPA, I'd be prepared to explain, in an interview, why it's low.
On your application, it will show both grades. I am unsure how Midwestern look at re-takes though.

 

[AzOpt89]

Thank you that gives me some hope then! As for sending in my application , i don't need to have my OAT score in right? and what is the earliest i am able to send it in? i'm looking at the Midwestern website (http://www.midwestern.edu/Programs_and_Admission/AZ_Optometry/AdmissionApply.html)
and if i'm understanding correctly it's July 15?

 

[dollkiss]

You are talking about applying for the school year that will start August 2012? When do you plan to take the OAT?

 

[AzOpt89]

I am planning on taking my OAT some time in June then apply July 15 when they start accepting applications. Am I going about this the correct way?

 

[optometrist2be]

yes, i think you are going about it in the correct way. as far as your gpa, it's not terrible, if you look through the forum there are people with lower gpa's (some with much lower gpa's) that get accepted. So you still have plenty of hope, just spend the next 6-7 months studying for that OAT and getting as much volunteer & work experience as you can, as well as shadowing optometrists in DIFFERENT backgrounds (schools want to see that). if you can get your hands on a research experience go for it too, that's all the better for experience..basically what i'm saying is bulk up your resume/application with as much optometry related stuff as you can, not just for application purposes but to give YOU the best idea and understanding of Optometry as you can..it will really help for interviews too i'm sure! So you're doing just fine and don't sweat the GPA a lot since you can't really change it much in a semester, just get a good OAT score (probably 310 maybe 320 or higher with ideally no sub-300 sections..though i'm sure if one section is right under you may be fine :-/) to make up for it and you're golden. No need to stress since you have lots of time but bulk up that application and send it in as soon after July 15 as you can. good luck and hope that helps some...

 

[dollkiss]

I am planning on taking my OAT some time in June then apply July 15 when they start accepting applications. Am I going about this the correct way?

It does seem like you are going about this correctly. I misunderstood your original post. I thought you were applying to start school next August, rather than applying for school starting in 2012.

I also agree that you need to make sure to get as much volunteer and shadow experience as you can in many different settings. Schools want to see that you have had a lot of exposure to the field.