I need some advice

[JMock]

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I'm sorry to do this but I'm incredibly stressed out and need honest advice about my future.

I'm in my second semester of second year in a program called Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience. My first year was mediocre at best. I ended up with a D in physics part 1 and chemistry part 2 so I know I will eventually have to retake those. My first semester of this year went much better with A-'s except for organic chemistry. I got another D. I have a terrible time with chemistry. My prof was no help though, the class average was something like a 63% (a C-). Anyway, I've had some good grades, some mediocre grades and some awful grades but no fails. I'm involved on campus and do volunteer things. I've shadowed at an optometry office when I can work it around school and I have other medical related volunteer experience. As well, I will have a thesis in my fourth year and am currently volunteering in one of the research labs.

Anyway, I was just wondering if I should keep trying for optometry. I can't imagine doing something else and I really don't want to let this go but if I can't pull the grades off... it simply won't be an option by the end of my degree. So, in all honesty, should I keep trying when my current cumulative average is a C+ or approximately a 68%? If I can pull off great marks on my OAT and graduate with a final grade in the mid-70s would it still be possible to get into an optometry school? (After graduating I would spend an extra year upgrading those less then admirable grades of course).

What are your thoughts and/or suggestions?

 

[physicslover]

yep, do well in ure other courses. your only in 2nd year. the main thing setting you back would be your pre-req courses so make plans to retake those.

 

[901allday]

you're fine. i got a d in chem my freshman year. retook it my senior year. i got a C in physics 2, and a C in orgo 2 as well, my overall optomcas OAT's like 3.5ish. not crazy good. like physicslover said, you got time to pull it back into the desired gpa range.
also, another thing to keep in mind is what school's you're interested in.
like for example, SUNY has always picked candidates with exceptionally high GPAs and nitpicks on C's and stuff, they really focus on things like that and force you to explain yourself
whereas berkeley didn't even ask me about it, since my LORs, gpa, and OAT was all in order.
so, if you really feel optometry is for you, there's plenty of hope and you have SUCH an early start on everything else right now, by the time you apply, you'll be so well rounded and will be a really attractive candidate, as long as you keep trying hard on your GPAs (i understand on the inept professors/courses) that just means you have to work harder on the OAT. and let schools see that you are smart enough and it was just a discord with professors/course curriculum.
in the end, if your GPA/OAT isn't as high as you like, you might have to settle for a school that isn't your first choice, but that's just a sacrifice you'll have to make if you wish to still pursue optometry.

 

[Mewcakes]

my GPA/grades were the WORST thing about my app, but I still got into 3 schools. And only one of those was one of the new schools. 😛

Just work really hard and seriously shoot for A's. Don't sell yourself short by just aiming for B's, because when you come up short, you'll end up at C's again. So try your best and just make sure you continue to work on your shadowing, experience, volunteer work, and OAT.

 

[Abeness8]

I'm sorry to do this but I'm incredibly stressed out and need honest advice about my future.

I'm in my second semester of second year in a program called Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience. My first year was mediocre at best. I ended up with a D in physics part 1 and chemistry part 2 so I know I will eventually have to retake those. My first semester of this year went much better with A-'s except for organic chemistry. I got another D. I have a terrible time with chemistry. My prof was no help though, the class average was something like a 63% (a C-). Anyway, I've had some good grades, some mediocre grades and some awful grades but no fails. I'm involved on campus and do volunteer things. I've shadowed at an optometry office when I can work it around school and I have other medical related volunteer experience. As well, I will have a thesis in my fourth year and am currently volunteering in one of the research labs.

Anyway, I was just wondering if I should keep trying for optometry. I can't imagine doing something else and I really don't want to let this go but if I can't pull the grades off... it simply won't be an option by the end of my degree. So, in all honesty, should I keep trying when my current cumulative average is a C+ or approximately a 68%? If I can pull off great marks on my OAT and graduate with a final grade in the mid-70s would it still be possible to get into an optometry school? (After graduating I would spend an extra year upgrading those less then admirable grades of course).

What are your thoughts and/or suggestions?

Been there done that! I am now attending PCO this August!

What you need to do is drop everything... all extracurricular activities and distractions and retake those classes. Schools look more at grades than anything else. I was very involved and had low grades too. Dropped everything and retook everything, got a masters degree to show that i had the ablility to perform well in sciences classes. 3 years later... im attending Optometry school. Im 28 and starting Opto school. Dont worry about time...retaking classes, or money. Its all relative! Follow your dream....if its what you really want to do...DO IT! Only live once...

hope that helps!

 

[stix]

Been there done that! I am now attending PCO this August!

What you need to do is drop everything... all extracurricular activities and distractions and retake those classes. Schools look more at grades than anything else. I was very involved and had low grades too. Dropped everything and retook everything, got a masters degree to show that i had the ablility to perform well in sciences classes. 3 years later... im attending Optometry school. Im 28 and starting Opto school. Dont worry about time...retaking classes, or money. Its all relative! Follow your dream....if its what you really want to do...DO IT! Only live once...

hope that helps!

-agreed. I was never an academic superstar, but got ok grades for the most part. But, actually failed calc 2, only passed organic chem and got a C+ in an intro kines. course that would eventually become my major. Ended up spending hours in the math lab, got a B in calc and C+ in organic chem. Retook the kines and got an A+. Post bac, i needed another psyc and Microbio to apply to opto. Worked hard, got A+'s in both to show im serious. Overall GPA about 3.3. only 320 OAT

Got 3 interviews, decided to interview at 2, got into 2. my oat was not great, but i had an upward trend in my grades, good references, lots of extras and researched the field. If your overall GPA is 2.9 or above and your OAT is 300 or over, and you show them you're serious, you have a shot. Good luck.

 

[hoops123]

im in the exact same situation as you.. last sem. i got a D in microbio and C in physics1.. i do plan on retaking them. i know exactly how u feeL.. i get really depressed when i think about those horrible grades.. but coming on here and reading that alot of other ppl are experiencing the same stuff has helped me feel much better AND REALIZE THAT WE'RE NOT ALL PERFECT AND WE ALL CANT HAVE A TRANSCRIPT FILLED WITH A'S AND A-'S....... FROM HERE ON TAKE THIS AS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND MOVE AHEAD.

THE ONLY THING U CAN DO NOW IS LOOK FORWARD, U GOT THE BAD GRADES AND NOW YOU WILL HAVE TO WORK EXTRA HARD TO MAKE UP FOR THEM, THIS WILL SHOW THE SCHOOL'S THAT THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[JMock]

Thanks for the responses they have been very encouraging. I'm going to seriously think about things before volunteering for them and only take on the few that I truely enjoy and care about... Rather being involved with a bunch of random things...

Appreciate the advice and the stories of how others have done!!

 

[lauraashley]

I am not a star pupil, nor have I applied yet. However, I can tell you to not give up. You're extracurriculars look great...I am jealous of the fact that you're volunteering in a research lab.
Do your best and apply. If you don't get in, keep trying. Determination will help you through. Think about it this way--if it takes you an extra year to get in, so what? Do you really want to give up and start a career doing something you don't want just because you gave up? Didn't think so. You're going to be doing your job for 40+ years...that extra year it takes to get your grades back up isn't going to matter in the end.
As for retaking those science classes--it would be a really smart thing to do. Having a solid background in science will only help you in optometry school.

 

[apollo310]

My overall GPA is a 2.9 and i have taken the OAT twice and have only managed a 290 highest so far...though I am taking it again! It is NOT easy and i applied once and didn't get in anywhere ... this time I got one interview so far though and no schools have rejected me yet..most are still waiting for new OAT scores! I have had a lot of experience volunteering and shadowing optometrists and also volunteering in other places with all kinds of people which I think is pertinent since optometry is such a diverse career! Bottom line is..It's NOT easy for those of us who have messed up at some point or just are mediocre but...if it's what you really want to do, do what you have to to get in. Most of them will understand if youve had mishaps...everyone has. but you have to prove yourself by taking more classes, retaking classes and EXPERIENCE!

 

[mintyjulep]

My overall GPA is a 2.9 and i have taken the OAT twice and have only managed a 290 highest so far...though I am taking it again! It is NOT easy and i applied once and didn't get in anywhere ... this time I got one interview so far though and no schools have rejected me yet..most are still waiting for new OAT scores! I have had a lot of experience volunteering and shadowing optometrists and also volunteering in other places with all kinds of people which I think is pertinent since optometry is such a diverse career! Bottom line is..It's NOT easy for those of us who have messed up at some point or just are mediocre but...if it's what you really want to do, do what you have to to get in. Most of them will understand if youve had mishaps...everyone has. but you have to prove yourself by taking more classes, retaking classes and EXPERIENCE!

You should really retake that OAT, too. Why don't you try the Kaplan courses? They're expensive, but they really help and it's worth it in the long run.

 

[apollo310]

I actually did do the kaplan courses and did worse when I did those than self studied after...I know a lot of people like them but I just wasn't impressed really! I am retaking it in a few days...so hopefully it goes well this time around! 🙂

 

[Bioflare]

I actually did do the kaplan courses and did worse when I did those than self studied after...I know a lot of people like them but I just wasn't impressed really! I am retaking it in a few days...so hopefully it goes well this time around! 🙂

I have to put it in the words of my physiology professor. Structured courses like Kaplan are good, but you will get more out of the review books than those courses. All the courses do is add structure, the material covered is the same, you could probably cover more and more in depth while saving money by just buying the review books.

Good luck on your upcoming test

 

[Hoffy]

I have to put it in the words of my physiology professor. Structured courses like Kaplan are good, but you will get more out of the review books than those courses. All the courses do is add structure, the material covered is the same, you could probably cover more and more in depth while saving money by just buying the review books.

Good luck on your upcoming test

I agree, I bought an MCAT review book and self reviewed on my own. Pace yourself and organize yourself (which you will have to do anyway in grad school mind you!) to study. Figure out first though if your weakness is the material or test taking itself before you sign up for the course! The kaplan books give you test taking strategies anyway and I think kaplan is a waste of money if you can do well on you own. Good luck!

 

[apollo310]

Hoffy,
This might sound like a stupid question, but HOW did you use an MCAT book? I got a few from the library that were brand new and everything but the format for that test seemed so different that it just threw me off guard. Did you only use the books for the material and not for practice questions? ALSO, anyone....good suggestions for a way to learn the physics? It is just not happening for me and really bringing the score down...Thanks!

 

[Hoffy]

Definitely not a stupid question! The MCAT book I used has review materials (basically the same stuff you will encounter on the OAT) and it covers essentially the same subjects as the OAT with the exception of the quantitative reasoning test. I gave myself three months to study- ended up studying for about 2 hours three to four days a week. I graduated w/ my bachelors about a year ago so it was actually fun for me to review all the stuff I learned (or was supposed to have learned 😛) in undergrad. Also worked against me a bit because I hadn't had OCHEM in about 4 years! Anyhow, I basically went through all of the material and made notes from it and put things into my own words. I'm an active studier and can't really put things down to memory unless I write them out. When I finished the bio section I reviewed my notes and did the practice set from the online sample as well as from the Kaplan OAT to help drive the points home. Looked at questions I got wrong and tried to figure out WHY I got them wrong. I did do the MCAT questions - although they are much harder they challenge you and are definitely helpful in preparing and getting your mind around the material. As I went through a material I made a list of equations and made sure I understood them and when/why/how to use them. I feel writing things down and organizing the materials on YOUR terms let's you take charge of the information and makes it less overwhelming.

The tricky thing about physics is that the questions are more conceptually based - so understanding the equations is important but I really didn't find myself using them too much to plug and chug answers. I'm not sure if I have much advice on this section - I pretty much studied for each of the science sections the same way.