Just took the OAT

[theta4alifetime]

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Hello,

I'm new to the forum, and was hoping to get some insight into my chances..

I just took the OAT on Tuesday and here are my scores:
Bio 360
G. Chem 340
O. Chem 400 🙂eek: omg w00t)
Physics 310
Q. Analysis 310
RC 260 🙂scared🙂
TS 360
AA 330

I went to Carnegie Mellon for undergrad and graduated in 2002 with a 2.24 (horrific, I know). I've been retaking my prereqs at the local community college and have a 4.0 (unfort, it's the only school that offers science labs within a 2-hour driving radius). But I did so well in Anatomy & Physio, I was hired to be an adjunct prof for the lab last semester.

I have been working at an optometrist's office as a tech part time (30 hrs a week) since August.

I applied to SUNY, and am submitting my apps for NECO and NOVA this week.... is it too late in the cycle? Would I even have a chance next cycle?

Thank you in advance for your advice!

 

[thanotoriousfob]

Hello,

I'm new to the forum, and was hoping to get some insight into my chances..

I just took the OAT on Tuesday and here are my scores:
Bio 360
G. Chem 340
O. Chem 400 🙂eek: omg w00t)
Physics 310
Q. Analysis 310
RC 260 🙂scared🙂
TS 360
AA 330

I went to Carnegie Mellon for undergrad and graduated in 2002 with a 2.24 (horrific, I know). I've been retaking my prereqs at the local community college and have a 4.0 (unfort, it's the only school that offers science labs within a 2-hour driving radius). But I did so well in Anatomy & Physio, I was hired to be an adjunct prof for the lab last semester.

I have been working at an optometrist's office as a tech part time (30 hrs a week) since August.

I applied to SUNY, and am submitting my apps for NECO and NOVA this week.... is it too late in the cycle? Would I even have a chance next cycle?

Thank you in advance for your advice!

So what is your overall gpa with the retakes? If you managed to bring it closer to a 3.0 I think you have a chance. Your OAT scores are solid (a bit low for RC though). It is tough to really say if you have a chance, I personally think your window is closing for this year but it would not hurt to call up the schools you are interested in and ask. Try shadowing too if you haven't done already. Shadowing an optometrist and working for an optometrist are completely different things.

I think you are trying and showing improvements so don't lose hope!

Good luck. 👍

 

[theta4alifetime]

Thank you for replying!

In regards to shadowing vs. working for an optometrist, does it matter if the optoms brought me into the rooms and let me watch their exams/procedures? What's the difference?

 

[lvmopt]

Thank you for replying!

In regards to shadowing vs. working for an optometrist, does it matter if the optoms brought me into the rooms and let me watch their exams/procedures? What's the difference?

The only difference is what the OD writes on the recommendation letter. If he lets you in the exam room and lets you look at stuff that is cool. Either way, won't mean much. The question is , How are you going to pay off your student loans when, after school you will be paid 30 to 40 dollars an eye exam? Heck, ppl pay more for hair cuts. I know, being an OD for 24 years.

 

[thanotoriousfob]

Thank you for replying!

In regards to shadowing vs. working for an optometrist, does it matter if the optoms brought me into the rooms and let me watch their exams/procedures? What's the difference?

I think the main difference is when you are working, you are there to work. Sure you might get to see procedures but shadowing should include more than just understanding procedures. You have to understand the full scope of practice, the pros and cons of the profession, the outlook, why the optometrist you are shadowing chose optometry, is it everything they expected or didn't expect, etc. I know when I shadowed, both schools I interviewed at asked me questions about what I specifically learned during my shadowing experiences and I don't think they were looking to see whether I knew procedures but rather if I knew what optometry was about.

Shadowing takes some effort in order to gain insightful answers and I don't think you can do it well during work. Besides, it is also good to shadow in different modes of practice. Based off my experience I saw some apparent differences between optometry in HMO vs. lasik centers, vs retail vs private practice and you might have to answers questions about this in your interviews. I know I did!

 

[blysssful]

The only difference is what the OD writes on the recommendation letter. If he lets you in the exam room and lets you look at stuff that is cool. Either way, won't mean much. The question is , How are you going to pay off your student loans when, after school you will be paid 30 to 40 dollars an eye exam? Heck, ppl pay more for hair cuts. I know, being an OD for 24 years.

What are you talking about? There is a huge difference for someone who is trying to decide if that is what they want to do with the rest of their life.

And, out of curiosity, did you default on your student loans or are you just bitter about your choices and trying to sway people out of the profession?

 

[QueenieCSS]

Thank you for replying!

In regards to shadowing vs. working for an optometrist, does it matter if the optoms brought me into the rooms and let me watch their exams/procedures? What's the difference?

I also work at an optometry office and can say there is a big difference between working and shadowing. You really do learn a lot working but you learn completely different things when you are following someone all day. It gets you to really understand what their day is like. I don't think I really got that from working. Plus if you get a chance to shadow more than one person you get a completely different perspective. I was amazed by how much different and yet the same the exams were when I watched different doctors.

Plus I think that most schools require that your shadowing experience be unpaid so you can't include the hours you are working. At least that was my experience.

 

[EyeWitness]

The only difference is what the OD writes on the recommendation letter. If he lets you in the exam room and lets you look at stuff that is cool. Either way, won't mean much. The question is , How are you going to pay off your student loans when, after school you will be paid 30 to 40 dollars an eye exam? Heck, ppl pay more for hair cuts. I know, being an OD for 24 years.

How much debt did you graduate with Mr. OD?