Important OAT Question

[brantheman03]

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Hi, so I have taken the OAT once. I was recommended to take them again due to one of my scores lower than the others. Then I was granted an interview at the school i want to go to. I had my interview today. They said I would know in 2-4 weeks. They said I would most likely have to take the OAT again. There is however a slight chance I may not, if I get accepted. Should I just reschedule and take them again right away, or wait to see what the committee's decision is? Please help

 

[blysssful]

You should take it again ASAP. When the admissions committee tells you explicitly something that needs to be improved about your application, do it-- no questions asked.

Them telling you that you need to retake your OAT and they will let you know your status within 2-4 weeks is essentially them saying, "if you don't get a better score on the OAT you will most likely not be receiving an acceptance letter".

Think about it. Why should they accept you when you're avoiding doing the one thing they have asked of you? What kind of dedication does that show?

Believe me, I know what a pain it is to sit through the OAT... and I can empathize with how much more annoying it would be to take it multiple times... but if this is something you find worth pursuing, suck it up.

Just my two cents. Good luck.

 

[mrfunnyman]

Can someone really make a significant improvement in oat scores in 2-4 weeks though?

 

[blysssful]

Can someone really make a significant improvement in oat scores in 2-4 weeks though?

It depends. Two basic scenarios:

1) Person knows the material but didn't spend much time preparing/reviewing. Was either simply rusty on the type of questions being asked, or ran out of time... or MAYBE just had a bad testing day
2) Person does NOT know the material and needs to LEARN, not refresh.

First scenario, a week of solid review, with a week of practicing test conditions could make a world of difference. Second scenario, more time would probably be needed to make significant improvements.

Either way though, if this is the only school he wants to go to, he needs to prove that he is willing to do what they ask of him. If not, there are other applicants who will step up.

 

[HOPEOPT]

Hi, so I have taken the OAT once. I was recommended to take them again due to one of my scores lower than the others. Then I was granted an interview at the school i want to go to. I had my interview today. They said I would know in 2-4 weeks. They said I would most likely have to take the OAT again. There is however a slight chance I may not, if I get accepted. Should I just reschedule and take them again right away, or wait to see what the committee's decision is? Please help

I think you should retake the OAT. I have similar situation they asked to retake it I took it and I improved my score then they invited me for a second interview.

 

[sportsdude00]

Though it's pretty late in the cycle, I would recommend that you DON'T reschedule to take it until you find out that you have to for sure. I was told by every school that I applied to that I "needed" to retake it, but then they all gave me interviews and acceptances. I think its dependent upon how you present yourself in the interview...

 

[HOPEOPT]

Though it's pretty late in the cycle, I would recommend that you DON'T reschedule to take it until you find out that you have to for sure. I was told by every school that I applied to that I "needed" to retake it, but then they all gave me interviews and acceptances. I think its dependent upon how you present yourself in the interview...

what suggestions and advices you can give me in order to present myself well at the interview?

 

[OpticalBlackOut]

Definitely research the interview feedback section.
But, I think what sportsdude00 was referring to in terms of "presenting yourself" is that schools look beyond the academic scores. I like to think that once you get to the interview process, they are now evaluating on your social skills and how great of an optometrist you can be.
Just be sincere about your goals, and let the school get to know you