Hi all,
I just took my OAT this afternoon and I did not score what I was hoping for. My scores were AA: 300 TS: 290. Looking back on it, I thought the test went fairly well, but I was a tad disappointed to see that I scored a 290 in Biology and a 260 in Physics, while scoring a 300 or higher in every other section. In terms of applying to schools, I have submitted my OptomCAS application to six schools: IU, ICO, SCO, NOVA, Midwestern (IL), and UMSL, as well as all the supplemental applications for IU, SCO, NOVA, Midwestern, and UMSL.
Outside of the OAT, I consider myself to be a very strong applicant. In terms of information that is relevant for Optometry programs my numbers follow: 3.78 cumulative GPA, 3.5 cumulative science GPA, eight hours total of shadowing two optometrists at a local clinic, and accumulated over 1,000+ hours and a year and a half experience of working alongside a vision therapist.
Additionally, I am extremely involved around campus. I have served as the President of the Pre-Optometry Club, Founding Father and Executive Board Member in my Fraternity, volunteered at a local homeless shelter every week since my Freshman year (I am currently a Senior), worked as an orientation leader for International and North American students, and helped organize and participate in an event to help aid to the need of the local homeless population in Omaha, NE.
Overall, I am extremely worried that my OAT score will severely affect my chances of securing an interview with any of the six schools I had applied to. I do believe I have a passion for the field, as my main goal is to become to first bilingual speaking optometrist in my hometown and use my proficiency in speaking Spanish to help the under-served Latin American communities in my hometown. Eventually, I would also like to open a clinic in another area in my hometown, which would primarily serve the African American population. Regardless, what do you guys think? I have been contacted by three admissions directors asking me to send my scores to them as soon as possible, which I will do on Monday morning. However, should I send my unofficial scores to them on Monday morning and wait and see if my overall application is competitive enough to warrant an interview from any of the additional schools once my official scores are reported? Or should I plan to retake the OAT and raise all my scores to at least a 300?
I just took my OAT this afternoon and I did not score what I was hoping for. My scores were AA: 300 TS: 290. Looking back on it, I thought the test went fairly well, but I was a tad disappointed to see that I scored a 290 in Biology and a 260 in Physics, while scoring a 300 or higher in every other section. In terms of applying to schools, I have submitted my OptomCAS application to six schools: IU, ICO, SCO, NOVA, Midwestern (IL), and UMSL, as well as all the supplemental applications for IU, SCO, NOVA, Midwestern, and UMSL.
Outside of the OAT, I consider myself to be a very strong applicant. In terms of information that is relevant for Optometry programs my numbers follow: 3.78 cumulative GPA, 3.5 cumulative science GPA, eight hours total of shadowing two optometrists at a local clinic, and accumulated over 1,000+ hours and a year and a half experience of working alongside a vision therapist.
Additionally, I am extremely involved around campus. I have served as the President of the Pre-Optometry Club, Founding Father and Executive Board Member in my Fraternity, volunteered at a local homeless shelter every week since my Freshman year (I am currently a Senior), worked as an orientation leader for International and North American students, and helped organize and participate in an event to help aid to the need of the local homeless population in Omaha, NE.
Overall, I am extremely worried that my OAT score will severely affect my chances of securing an interview with any of the six schools I had applied to. I do believe I have a passion for the field, as my main goal is to become to first bilingual speaking optometrist in my hometown and use my proficiency in speaking Spanish to help the under-served Latin American communities in my hometown. Eventually, I would also like to open a clinic in another area in my hometown, which would primarily serve the African American population. Regardless, what do you guys think? I have been contacted by three admissions directors asking me to send my scores to them as soon as possible, which I will do on Monday morning. However, should I send my unofficial scores to them on Monday morning and wait and see if my overall application is competitive enough to warrant an interview from any of the additional schools once my official scores are reported? Or should I plan to retake the OAT and raise all my scores to at least a 300?
