OAT scores weighted more than gpa?

[IcanSEEanOD]

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[144873]

Generally, the OAT is a better indicator of your suitability for optometry. Across North America, differences in the quality of education amongst undergraduate institutions can be vast. GPAs can sometimes be misleading (not always).

But the OAT is standardized, making it a far more accurate means of comparison. In MOST cases, your OAT score will not be misleading, and will be representative of your knowledge of the pre-requisite science courses (and your reading and problem solving skills).

Remember, your application does not consist of ONLY GPA and OAT. You need to be a well-rounded applicant.

So give yourself a chance to score as best as possible on the OAT 🙂 A solid OAT score will greatly increase your chance of being asked for interviews.

 

[IcanSEEanOD]

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[IDr10]

Okay, so I was looking through a lot of the past posts and many of the people who were waitlisted or rejected had low OAT scores but decent gpas. Also I saw one poster said that at SCO they weigh your OAT way higher than your gpa. Do you think this is true over all the schools? I know that both your gpa and OAT score are important, as well as so many other factors, but do any of you think your OAT score is a pretty good indicator of whether or not you'll be accepted?

Opinions... please?

I disagree that OAT scores carry more weight than gpa. True, a great score can help you have a better chance, especially if you balance your weaker grades in prereqs with a very high OAT score. However, I was told directly from adcom that gpa is significantly more important because it shows your performance in an academic setting over the course of many years whereas the OAT is only a one-day test. Yes, it requires hours of preparation, but a mediocre student can invest much energy and score well but a low gpa may indicate lack of, shall we say, "applying oneself" and thus a much better determination for your suitibility for optometry school.

 

[144873]

The OAT is actually more important. I was told this at all 4 of my interviews.
I took my undergrad courses at a very large, competitive, well-recognized university. My GPA was 3.1. However, there is a community college in my city where I could have easily obtained a 3.7 or higher. I am not saying that all universities are better than community colleges. I am just saying that different schools offer different qualities of education.

You can fake a good GPA by going to an easy undergrad institution. BUT YOU CAN'T FAKE A GOOD OAT SCORE (this may happen once in a while if someone lucks out, but this generally doesn't happen).

This is why so many students with competitive GPAs have to retake the OAT if they score below the competitive average. It is rare that someone with great OAT scores is not asked for an interview because their GPA is below the competitive average.

I applied very late in the cycle. Like I said my GPA was 3.1, and I had only completed 90 credits (no bachelor's degree). My application materials were competitive, but my OAT score was exceptional. I was accepted to 2 schools (my top 2 choices), and I believe my OAT score was the biggest reason for that.


IcanSEEanOD:
Here is a link
http://www.opted.org/2006 Profile of Entering Class.pdf

Most schools will want you to have AT LEAST a 300. And as you will see, the competitive average for the OAT is around 330.

I strongly advise that you prepare for the exam well in advance. Try your hardest!! If each piece of your application displays how hard you have worked, you have a great shot!!