I'm thinking of applying for optometry school this fall, but have not taken the OAT. I took the MCAT last summer, do you think any optometry schools will look at MCAT scores instead of OAT scores?
Nope, I looked into it when I turned pre-opto, but if you've been through the MCAT the oat is going to be a breeze!
i wouldnt think that, thats what i thought and my oat ended up sucking big time. so unless you are planning on getting lucky at the interview like i did, ill take the oat very seriously.
taking the mcat may or may not prepare you for taking the oat but admitting that to schools is basically like admitting 'hey i didnt get into med school so you guys are the back up plan' i really wouldnt mention taking the mcat to schools at all; let alone trying to submit scores....
ok I'm not sure if that was meant for me or the original poster....but I'm responding anyway
I'm actually not applying to medical schools, I changed my mind about wanting to go to med school a long time ago, I took the MCAT about 3 years ago. OD school is not my backup it is WHAT I WANT TO DO, if I wanted to go to med school I would go to med school. Also, every OD student that I personally know was once a pre-med and I'm sure OD admissions people are well aware that many of their applicants were once pre-meds and probably have taken MCAT and applied to schools-they're not screening out those people because that doesn't necessarily mean OD was the backup plan-everyone goes through their phases and experiences before coming to the decision of applying to OD school, I personally didn't even know about the optometry option way back when.
So hold your judgements!
P.S. I've actually personally spoken to admissions counselors at 4 different schools when I decided that I wanted to be an optometrist to get some information about the schools and the admissions process and to get some 'advising' and I let them know that I was previoulsy a pre-med so I probably have all the pre-reqs and that I've done well on the mcat so I'm confident I'll do well on the oat-they were all very friendly, overly helpful, and encouraging. I'm positive non of them thought OD was my backup, it's not!
seriously!!! i wasnt judging you (a little defensive about it arent we tho???) i was just saying there are an awful lot of people out there who just are using opt school as a backup plan... i know that at my school if they get the impression that it is your back up plan and you dont really want to be there you are not getting in... i have personally interviewed students with such an attitude and the scores they got for their interview were dismal. good for you if its not your back up plan; i am sure that whoever interviews you will be able to tell that.... i was just saying that if you blatantly advertise that you really wanted to go to med school and you really dont have a reason for switching to opt its pretty obvoius and does hinder you getting into school. if someone cant even take the time to take the appropriate test for opt school i think that kinda says something about their dedication to optometry in general....
I'm thinking of applying for optometry school this fall, but have not taken the OAT. I took the MCAT last summer, do you think any optometry schools will look at MCAT scores instead of OAT scores?
