Need Advice! Low GPA & OAT

[Jcrab17]

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I am applying to the same optometry school my dad went to. I have applied to UMSL, Indiana, SCO and ICO. I got my application in by 8/8/13, but I am very very nervous. I got an AA of 300 on the OAT with a science score of 280, but a 400 in quantitative reasoning. I have a bacholor degree in Biology from Mizzou where I was a D1 athlete playing soccer all 4 years. My GPA was a 3.2. I now play on a WPSL women's soccer league and work full-time at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. I have over 300 hours of job shadowing under 3 different optometrist and my dad is an optometrist so I have worked several seperate hours under him. I have a strong essay, and 4 very strong letters of recommendations. What are my chances of getting in!?!

 

[Artemis2]

Your application is solid. Except for your OAT score, that is very low. I would consider rewriting it. Most schools want you to have a minimum of a 300. And you do not have an exceptional high GPA to offset the low OAT score.

The best thing to do would be to call the admission offices of the schools you are interested in and have them review your file with you. This isn;t seen as a negative thing by the schools. You are being responsible and seeing if you are going to be a competitive candidate for their program.

 

[Jcrab17]

Thanks. I started calling schools yesterday and spoke with UMSL. They told me to wait to retake it until late Sep. so they can get a look at how strong the pool of students is for the 2014 entering class. He also said that worse case scenario I retake the OAT in Dec. I get well above 300 on everything and 400 on quantitative reasoning and reading comprehension..I just can't get the physics down. Any advice? I have a MCAT physics prep book and an online software but it freezes a lot and I can never take the practice tests.
I really want to get in...I am not going to quit trying

 

[Artemis2]

Do you have the Kaplan OAT practice test book? There is also one practice test on the optomcas webpage. I used SAT books for a basic background in subjects, then used GRE, MCAT and old school notes for subjects. If you can get a compy of the kaplan blue book, it is pretty much the holy grail of study aids. Also I have heard good things about Chad's video's for physics.

I would book a new test date now personally. A great OAT score can do a lot for an application. plus if you end up not needing to take it, i think you get a partial refund on the test cost.

 

[Jcrab17]

Do you have the Kaplan OAT practice test book? There is also one practice test on the optomcas webpage. I used SAT books for a basic background in subjects, then used GRE, MCAT and old school notes for subjects. If you can get a compy of the kaplan blue book, it is pretty much the holy grail of study aids. Also I have heard good things about Chad's video's for physics.

I would book a new test date now personally. A great OAT score can do a lot for an application. plus if you end up not needing to take it, i think you get a partial refund on the test cost.

Thanks!
No i do not have the Kaplan OAT book i have a MCAT practice physics book and have taken the practice test waaaayyy too many times. I have the answers memorized unfortunately which does me no good lol. I have heard great things about Chad's videos. I am waiting to hear back from 2/4 school on whether I should retake. As of now, everyone has told me to wait until they can see the average of the early applicants. The only part that stinks is the waiting and the knowledge in the back of my head that I am a competitive candidate...if they move the curve of scores down...which is basically what they are saying. I know if I do take it again that I am buying the Chad's video to conquer this dang OAT once and for all. 🙂