Oat scores

[CanadaODhopeful]

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So I know there is a thread about not liking when people put their OAT scores up. But seriously I am curious about peoples thoughts.

Is the biology score gonna hurt me?

Quantitative reasoning 340
Reading Comp 330
Biology 320
General Chem 330
Organic Chem 340
Physics 360

Total Science 350
Academic average 340

To study I used an MCAT book and bought the Kaplan OAT book with the practice tests.

 

[Absolute Vision]

Your OAT scores are fine.

 

[sportsdude00]

I have similar scores, but a 270 in bio. I've applied to 3 schools so far, and have gotten invited to interview at all of them so far, so you'll be fine

 

[tfa2007]

I'm not trying to be obnoxious at ALL with this question, so please forgive me if you interpret it as such. I was not originally an optometry applicant and have no optometry-related research or shadowing of any kind. I also have to figure out what my answer to the "why optometry" question. By some incredible stroke of luck, I did very well on my OAT (390), and my GPA was 3.6. Do you think I have a good chance of getting accepted even without optometry-related experiences? Are my scores good enough to help me overcome that flaw in my application?

 

[Absolute Vision]

It seems like you were a pre-med major. So obviously you must have some volunteering experience in the healthcare field...that will work in your favor. Your academic profile is fine (gpa and OAT scores). I believe some schools such as PCO don't require LOR from optometrists...just from your science professors. However for most other optometry schools, you will need a LOR from an optometrist, so you'll need to shadow at least one OD, preferably two..one from a private practice setting and the other in a commercial setting. I would try to get the shadowing experience before you interview; otherwise, you will probably struggle during the interview, but more importantly, enter a profession that you have not thoroughly researched enough and possibly wasting valuable time and money in the future if later you discover that you're not passionate about. You also mentioned that you're changing careers from science teacher to optometry. I don't know how long you've been a teacher, but the admissions committee will probably ask you why you made the switch to make sure that you're making an informed decision. Hopefully by then, you've done enough research about the profession to answer that question. Good luck.

 

[sportsdude00]

I'm not trying to be obnoxious at ALL with this question, so please forgive me if you interpret it as such. I was not originally an optometry applicant and have no optometry-related research or shadowing of any kind. I also have to figure out what my answer to the "why optometry" question. By some incredible stroke of luck, I did very well on my OAT (390), and my GPA was 3.6. Do you think I have a good chance of getting accepted even without optometry-related experiences? Are my scores good enough to help me overcome that flaw in my application?

in my opinion, no worries. your situation is the same as mine, but my oat is definitely not as high. what i've done to lessen the "flaw" in the application is to relate my outside experiences to optometry. for instance, i've volunteered in hospitals and such, and the fact that working in some type of health care field gives you an intro into health care professions. but you still need some shadowing or related opto experience to let them know for sure that you do want to do it. reading stuff and all that isnt enough, just get a little bit of firsthand experience and you'll be fine