How to become a competitve applicant?

[preopt2019]

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Hi everyone! I became interested in Optometry pretty late during my college career.. So I don't have much experience in the optometry field yet, but I will start shadowing soon! My GPA is not the greatest (I have a 3.0 right now, But I think it will be higher after this semester!), and I have not taken the OAT yet. Hoping to aim 320+ on my OAT, when I take it in June/July. I was wondering if you guys can give me some input on what I can do to make myself a competitive applicant?

How many total hours should I have for shadowing (With a Optometrist and Opthamologist)?
Should I stick with one particular office setting or should they be different? For example, like a office located inside a Walmart/Costco/Sams, LensCrafters/America'sBest and a private practice? Would that be beneficial? If so, how many hours would you recommend for each setting would be good?
What other extra cirricular activies should I be doing besides volunteering at a hospital? If you have any idea or examples of what you did would be great!

 

[Optgal96]

Just focus on 3 things in the following order:
OAT (>300)
GPA (>3.0)
Shadowing

I would say that the OAT and GPA are equally important.

For shadowing, it's best to observe at least 3 different settings (private, commercial, hospital, etc). About 5-10 hours at each place should suffice. Schools don't care too much on how many hours you get. They just want to see variety and exposure to different settings.

Also, super important: the earlier you apply in the cycle, the greater your chances of acceptance! So I'd suggest applying between July-October.

Good luck!

 

[Personology]

Also, super important: the earlier you apply in the cycle, the greater your chances of acceptance! So I'd suggest applying between July-October.

Good luck!

So applying right now is much harder to get in?

 

[Optgal96]

So applying right now is much harder to get in?

I don't think it's harder but you'd have a better chance then. That being said, I have yet to submit my own applications 🙂

 

[mar2018]

So applying right now is much harder to get in?

I think it just depends on your application (GPA, OAT, LOR, stuff like that) I finished my application last week and I dont think it negatively impacted me at all

 

[AcademicEyes]

I agree with what's been said, but I also want to add that it's not necessary to see three different modalities if you show your dedication by working somewhere for a while.

When I applied I had only seen private practice (3 different offices) and completed an internship in an optical lab, but I stuck with one practice for over a year, and another for a few months.

 

[mar2018]

Just out of curiosity, what schools did you apply to?

Indiana, ICO, UMSL, and Midwestern arizona. heard back from everyone. In my opinion it would agree with whats said above about the earlier the better. From what i've heard as long as you apply before the end of the year you should be good

 

[mar2018]

Even for SUNY?

I did not apply or really even look into SUNY so I don't want to answer that and steer you in the wrong direction. My advice would be to either contact an admissions advisor over the phone or email them!