Need advice for the class of 2013!!

[missod]

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As of today, I am an alternate for ICO, on hold at another school, and have one other interview at Midwestern this Friday. My total science was 320 and AA was 310 for the OAT due to a 280 on QR and 300 on genchem🙁. I have a 3.65 GPA, work as an optometric tech, and will have a BS in Biomedical Sciences as of May. I have wanted nothing more than to be an OD since the 7th grade. The problem I'm having is what to do if I don't get accepted to the school I'm on hold for and don't make it off the alternate at ICO but get into Midwestern. I really don't want to go to a new school based on the fact that I don't want to be the guinea pig and there in no clinic yet. I was thinking about trying to get more optometry experience,perhaps in the specialty I want to go into, retake the OAT a third time after taking an algebra class, since I never had one, to do better on QR. Or if I do get into Midwestern just go there anyway.

Any help or comments are welcome. I just don't know what to do.

Thanks!

 

[Oogilily]

How did you never have an algebra class?

 

[missod]

In 8th grade I had pre-algebra then in h.s. I went half day at a regular hs and half day at a math and science academy. The academy's curiculum was set up so that a freshmen was taking sophmore classes, a sophmore taking junior classes, etc. So, when I entered I went from pre-algebra to geometry and trig, thus skipping algebra. As a result, I struggle with most problems on the QR for the OAT.

 

[Absolute Vision]

What resources did you use to study for the OAT especially the QR section? I found the Arco's GRE Math Review a great resource for the QR. There were plenty of review for algebra, basic trig, and algebra/geometry word problems. IMO, using this book will help you learn basic algebra necessary to do well on the OAT QR.

 

[Katopt]

In 8th grade I had pre-algebra then in h.s. I went half day at a regular hs and half day at a math and science academy. The academy's curiculum was set up so that a freshmen was taking sophmore classes, a sophmore taking junior classes, etc. So, when I entered I went from pre-algebra to geometry and trig, thus skipping algebra. As a result, I struggle with most problems on the QR for the OAT.

I was just curious where you are from because this sounds a lot like my high school experience! Except I think I took algebra before high school.

 

[gochi]

As of today, I am an alternate for ICO, on hold at another school, and have one other interview at Midwestern this Friday. My total science was 320 and AA was 310 for the OAT due to a 280 on QR and 300 on genchem🙁. I have a 3.65 GPA, work as an optometric tech, and will have a BS in Biomedical Sciences as of May. I have wanted nothing more than to be an OD since the 7th grade. The problem I'm having is what to do if I don't get accepted to the school I'm on hold for and don't make it off the alternate at ICO but get into Midwestern. I really don't want to go to a new school based on the fact that I don't want to be the guinea pig and there in no clinic yet. I was thinking about trying to get more optometry experience,perhaps in the specialty I want to go into, retake the OAT a third time after taking an algebra class, since I never had one, to do better on QR. Or if I do get into Midwestern just go there anyway.

Any help or comments are welcome. I just don't know what to do.

Thanks!

What's sad is that you have a 3.6 gpa, yet algebra is difficult for you.

Uhh, there really is no point taking a class. Just learn it on your own, or simply know how to do the types of questions in the QR section.

BTW, what specialty can you possibly dedicate a year to? I didn't even know OD's could specialize, besides those optional residency programs which you take after graduating.

If you don't get accepted, and you retake the OAT, but still score below the requirements (i.e. schools want atleast 300 on every section), then apply to more schools with more EC's. You don't need to waste time and money in classes.

 

[adenosine]

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