Need advice

[Mirza91]

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Hello,
I am going into my Senior year. I have not started studying properly for the OATs yet. I plan on starting tomorrow and taking my test in August. I came to college as a chemical engineer. I messed up my GPA. It is at a 2.99 right now. I am retaking a class right to bring me above 3.00. I am a great leaner and a smart student in my scineces. Currently I am a chemistry student and I have always taken honors chemistry classes and did very well in my first year of biology class (110%). I know my GPA does not depicts my intelligence. I went through a rough time. But now I am ready for the Optometry world.

Q1: When should I start applying? ( I graduate college in May 2014)
Q2: Study tips?
Q3: My GPA sucks , so I need to kill the OATs. How to get the best score possible in the time I have left?
Q4: When are applications usually due by?

 

[sbopt87]

I don't know how much time you took in deciding to pick optometry, but I am wondering if you have shadowed an optometrist or done volunteer work with one? B/c I see a lot of people coming to pick optometry as a second choice b/c it is easier to get into.

q1) I would start soon as you graduate. Apps open in july and the earlier the better. I say no later than oct or nov if you have low scores in gpa and oat. And before you graduate focus on working with optometrists and getting as much experience as you can.

q2) I definitely suggest kaplan or oat destroyer. Try to study more than one section a day and don't get hung up on just one. Look to youtube videos for learning information you have trouble on. I found them to be life savers. And PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! nothing works better than doing as many practice questions as possible. This goes for all sections probably except bio b/c this is the easiest. It may be chem for you since that is your field.

q3)you have plenty of time. I think 1 yr is plenty of time, especially since you are still in school and most of the stuff is still fresh in your head. Try taking the Oat in Aug or Sept if you can, if not don't worry you can redo it in 3 mo. if you do bad the first time, and will still be good on app times.

q4)most apps start to end at march, some do end in feb., but there is a few that end in april and may. So you have a lot of time.

 

[eyesontheprize1]

Q1: Since you graduate in May 2014 if you are trying to enroll for August 2014 the app cycles open up in July of this year. So I would start filling it out during that time. Otherwise you are going to be waiting a whole year when you graduate.

Q2: I have posted several threads on here about what I did to study. I took it 4 times and did horrible the first 3 times. I used the kaplan course solely for the first 3 times and did poorly. For the fourth time I used Chads videos and Crack the OAT. I HIGHLY recommend Chads videos.

Q3: I posted a study schedule that would prepare you for a month of studying. That is what I did to succeed

Q4: Every school is different in application dates so you need to make sure that you are paying attention, but normally they are due anywhere between January-April I have seen some schools as early as December. It is feasible to get all of your OptomCas application completed in a couple of weeks. They will wait on your OAT scores. So for example if you are going to apply this cycle you will be taking the test in August. You can start working on your application before and make sure you have your letters of recommendation ready so after your test you can put in your scores and then submit your application. You will be an early applicant and most likely get an interview WAY before Christmas and probably know where you will be accepted. Then you will graduate in May 2014 and have your summer to enjoy yourself and start optometry school in August 2014.


I hope this helps!

 

[sbopt87]

sry this applies if you plan to wait a yr between graduating. If not then you should start now on studying and working on the personal statement, if you want to start aug 2014.

 

[Mirza91]

I don't know how much time you took in deciding to pick optometry, but I am wondering if you have shadowed an optometrist or done volunteer work with one? B/c I see a lot of people coming to pick optometry as a second choice b/c it is easier to get into.

q1) I would start soon as you graduate. Apps open in july and the earlier the better. I say no later than oct or nov if you have low scores in gpa and oat. And before you graduate focus on working with optometrists and getting as much experience as you can.

q2) I definitely suggest kaplan or oat destroyer. Try to study more than one section a day and don't get hung up on just one. Look to youtube videos for learning information you have trouble on. I found them to be life savers. And PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! nothing works better than doing as many practice questions as possible. This goes for all sections probably except bio b/c this is the easiest. It may be chem for you since that is your field.

q3)you have plenty of time. I think 1 yr is plenty of time, especially since you are still in school and most of the stuff is still fresh in your head. Try taking the Oat in Aug or Sept if you can, if not don't worry you can redo it in 3 mo. if you do bad the first time, and will still be good on app times.

q4)most apps start to end at march, some do end in feb., but there is a few that end in april and may. So you have a lot of time.

Thank you so much! I just finished studying for the orgo section, chem and physics are my strongest subjects, bio and QR is what I have to mainly focus on until August. Also I plan on applying for schools right after I take my OAT in August. I am started my shadowing this Wednesday. Also I took the kaplan diag test and did horrible (240.) But most stuff I knew wasn't hard, I just need to brush up on a couple things and re-memorize couple forgotten subjects. I know , I just know I can do well on this test. I just feel discouraged. July 1st I am going to start application as well. I just really have to kill the OAT.

For studying, I have Kaplan examcracker (Organic chem and general chem), Orgoman (OAT destroyer, math destroyer, and physics destroyer.) I really really NEED to brush up on bio , just simply knowing the cycles and stuff. After should I use to study for Bio?

 

[Mirza91]

Thank you so much. It gives me hope. I really pray I make it in the end. For studying, I have Kaplan examcracker (Organic chem and general chem), Orgoman (OAT destroyer, math destroyer, and physics destroyer.) I really really NEED to brush up on bio , just simply knowing the cycles and stuff. After should I use to study for Bio?

 

[Mirza91]

For studying, I have Kaplan examcracker (Organic chem and general chem), Orgoman (OAT destroyer, math destroyer, and physics destroyer.) I really really NEED to brush up on bio , just simply knowing the cycles and stuff. After should I use to study for Bio?


Also, should invest in Chadd's videos or no? I do have plenty of material to study from.

 

[OhhDee]

For studying, I have Kaplan examcracker (Organic chem and general chem), Orgoman (OAT destroyer, math destroyer, and physics destroyer.) I really really NEED to brush up on bio , just simply knowing the cycles and stuff. After should I use to study for Bio?


Also, should invest in Chadd's videos or no? I do have plenty of material to study from.

The Bio videos are free