low GPA, any chance of getting accepted?

[zaizian]

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Hello I have overall GPA of 2.8 and haven't taken OAT yet (will be taking it this Aug).
I have over 2years of experience working in a private optometric clinic both in admin and technical settings.
I have some volunteer experience in hospitals during summers

I know my marks are very low but I am from Canadian university that is very prestigious and is known for strict marking system. Will I be able to get in if I get really high OAT scores? If so, how much OAT scores should I be getting?

I am very interested in optometry and am sure will be able to write good essay.In fact optometry is the only thing I ve been aiming for.

I am applying this summer so I cannot take more courses to improve my marks. I am applying for US institutions like NECO and ICO and others. What are my chances?

Is getting high score in OAT enough to offset my low marks? OR what other things I can do to improve my chance of getting accepted?

 

[zaizian]

My prerequisites are around 70s but my upper years courses are around 60s that is why my GPA is so low.

 

[kiwi5frog]

Hi. Here are two links that allow you to compare yourself to people who have been accepted

From ASCO, listing the scores of those accepted last year (scroll down to summaries):
http://www.opted.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3344

From SDN: forum thread where SDN members reported their stats and what schools accepted them:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=691316

Good luck with everything. 👍

 

[chocol8]

What you can do is check out the sites for ICO and NECO and find someone from admissions to email. Ask them if you can send them your transcript, and if they can give suggestions on how to improve that are especially tailored to you.

My gpa is a bit on the lower side as well, but my prereqs are all mostly As. What they told me was to take classes that will get me As so that my gpa increases, but that it would be even better if these courses can count as prereqs. For example, I got a B in a psych course I took. I'm going to take another psych class which will hopefully replace my B, but also increase my gpa. But B's aren't really so bad, so maybe if you have any C's you could try this. I've also heard it's good to take a business course.

I'm also applying this summer, but I'm still going to be taking courses this fall. That way if I haven't heard from a school, I can send in my new grades when it's possible to update my application (deb-feb). That way if my app has been put on hold, I have something to show I'm continuously working to improve myself.

And about your 2.8, I've heard of some Canadians getting in with gpa's around there if they're from a competitive university. But I think it's the shadowing, leadership experience, good OAT scores, and LORs that helped them out. I think if you have the time to go back to school you should, but if you really can't just apply anyways and work on improving the other non-academic stuff.

Good Luck! You can PM me if you want to know anything else.

 

[zaizian]

Thanks for the replies everyone.
1) I think I am going to retake a course with C.
Does that mean they won't count the 1st attempt C course in to GPA but only count the recently taken course? I will be retaking it this Fall so if I apply in September, will take still take off my 1st attempt course from GPA calculation?

2) Also, I know I should apply as early as possible but would applying in early January be too late? I am thinking of taking courses in the Fall so that their marks go into GPA in the application so that my overall GPA is somewhat improved (I think I can achieve maximum of GPA2.9). By January, almost everyone is accepted that there's not much spot left so I will be even lower chance of getting in?

These two questions I just asked the admin people but I am just posting here to ask if anybody knows the answers to them.

Thanks

 

[chocol8]

I'm not really sure... I kind of think applying early is best. Maybe you can tell them you're planning on taking these courses so that they know.

If the course youre taking to replace the C is from the same school, OptomCAS will calculate your gpa with the higher grade. They will most likely use the old grade until you have an official score for the new grade.

 

[kiwi5frog]

Thanks for the replies everyone.
1) I think I am going to retake a course with C.
Does that mean they won't count the 1st attempt C course in to GPA but only count the recently taken course? I will be retaking it this Fall so if I apply in September, will take still take off my 1st attempt course from GPA calculation?

It's good that you are calling. Each school is different. Here's what I know about the two in southern California:

SCCO : will average ALL grades. If you are a psych major and took 20 psych classes, every single one will count.

Western : replace policy. They will only count your HIGHEST grade in you GPA.

As for "lateness", there is never really a "too late" to apply unless you're actually past the deadline in June. A number of schools begin filling their waitlist/alternate list around January so even if you get accepted, your actual enrollment depends on someone else dropping their seat

Good luck 👍

 

[adidas101]

Hello I have overall GPA of 2.8 and haven't taken OAT yet (will be taking it this Aug).
I have over 2years of experience working in a private optometric clinic both in admin and technical settings.
I have some volunteer experience in hospitals during summers

I know my marks are very low but I am from Canadian university that is very prestigious and is known for strict marking system. Will I be able to get in if I get really high OAT scores? If so, how much OAT scores should I be getting?

I am very interested in optometry and am sure will be able to write good essay.In fact optometry is the only thing I ve been aiming for.

I am applying this summer so I cannot take more courses to improve my marks. I am applying for US institutions like NECO and ICO and others. What are my chances?

Is getting high score in OAT enough to offset my low marks? OR what other things I can do to improve my chance of getting accepted?

That's so crazy! I'm in the exact same boat! I got to Mac and my GPA is 2.8. I called ICO and they told me not to apply this year and to consider doing a masters to bring my avg up.

 

[goodie]

Hahaha im in the exact same situation as you guys. Im Canadian with a cGPA of 3.10..ive been debating whether to apply this year while im upgrading some of my pre-reqs in the fall...but i havent taken the OATs yet have you guys?