My stats circumstances and chances for acceptance?

[eyeopto333]

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Hello all, as of now I'm a little put on edge about my chances for acceptance into optometry school. I have finished my application and was verified 9/23 of this week. My application has high pros and low cons to it which make me wonder if I can get an interview to the schools of my choice.

Cum Gpa: 3.17
Science Gpa: 3.31

I went to a community college in my first year where I was very immature about things and received a few F,D, and Ws. I retook all the classes for higher grades most of the time As. This immaturity though followed me for a year when i transferred to University. I got a few Fs and Ws which I retook for As again. My last semester was 4.0 where I took upper level courses. This partially explains my higher sGPA as I did well in some of the more difficult pre-reqs and upper level science courses. There is a very evident upward trend in my grades.

OAT
Bio:350
Chem:360
Ochem:350
Read:330
Physics:300
QR:320
Ts: 340
AA:340


This is my strong point in which I studied for 6-7 months on and off.

Extra-curricular/ positive aspects

part-time optometric tech since july
founder and president of pre-optometry club (was a very successful initiative)
50+ hours shadowing two different optometrists
volunteered 30 hours with prevent blindness
volunteered 80 hours with a hospital committed volunteer program
2 lor from 2 different optometrists (working for one of the optometrists)
1 committee letter and 1 letter from a prof I did some care-taking of research animals for



Negative aspects

I received 2 years of conduct probation from the dean of students in which I met with the head dean of student one year later to provide new information for the reconsideration process. He ultimately ended my probation status early after I explained my reasoning for how I was not involved or responsible to the incident or charges at hand. So ultimately I have 1 year of conduct probation on my record.This incident happened in 2013 at the student living residence I resided at was searched by police because of a search warrant for my roommate and his possessions. Only my roommate was charged with possessing elicit substance/paraphernalia but my name was also given to the dean for possible conduct violations. It was one of those situations where honestly I was not at fault but my carelessness and ignorance of my living situation,surroundings, and school policy put me at risk and lead me ultimately to a temp school sanction. I have wrote in my application the many ways I have learned from that mistake and how I have grown from it.

My personal statement has a couple overlooked grammatical issues.
I was in a rush combining sentences to fit into the 4500 character box so there are some run -ons. Overall it is still a pretty solid statement that explains my perseverance, passion, and upward trend.

Other than that, the bad grades here and there in the first half of my transcript are my other worry that will lead me to getting rejected from the optometry schools of my choice.



Will I have a solid chance for hearing back for an interview this week from either Western, Midwestern, or possibly even Nova?

 

[tubatu111]

You definitely have a chance. I myself had an early misstep academically for different reasons, but was able to show a definitive change in performance once I decided to pursue optometry. Our early marks are things that cannot be helped. However, we are somewhat similar in how we eventually grew from it. I also became involved in many organizations, volunteered, logged 100+ hours of shadowing with 5 optometrist/1 ophthalmologist, scored similarly on the OAT, and received strong letters of recommendations. I also went through about 15 drafts with 3 professors before submitting my personal statement.

I applied to 5 schools and have received 3 invitations to interview so far. Ultimately with how similar our situations were I think you shouldn't count yourself out. Just don't overlook the small details and devote the extra effort at this stage. If you get invited to complete a supplemental and there's an essay prompt, take it seriously. The reality is that certain programs aren't as "holistic" as they claim to be and look to the ink on the page to determine the kind of person you are. That can't be helped. Be ready though to embrace opportunities that will come your way.

Best of luck, and pm me if you have additional questions.