Just wanted to know if anyone has gotten interviews and/or been accepted to Optometry school with just one specific section lower than 300? If so, how low was the score? Anyone get asked by admissions to retake the OAT for further reconsideration due to the lower score? Would appreciate the feedback!
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Optometry School Acceptance w/low OAT section?
- Thread starter Brisks
- Start date
Hey,
I received interviews from NOVA, SCO, ICO, UMSL, IU, and MID-IL with a 300 AA and 290 TS. I received a 290 on BIO and a 260 on PHY. Out of all the schools I only interviewed at 3 (NOVA, IU, and UMSL) and was accepted into IU and NOVA. Regardless, I had a 3.78 GPA and 3.56 Science GPA. You can definitely get into other schools as long as you have a solid rest of your application especially in terms of GPA, optometric experience, and extra activities!
I received interviews from NOVA, SCO, ICO, UMSL, IU, and MID-IL with a 300 AA and 290 TS. I received a 290 on BIO and a 260 on PHY. Out of all the schools I only interviewed at 3 (NOVA, IU, and UMSL) and was accepted into IU and NOVA. Regardless, I had a 3.78 GPA and 3.56 Science GPA. You can definitely get into other schools as long as you have a solid rest of your application especially in terms of GPA, optometric experience, and extra activities!
Hey! Thanks for the reply. That's awesome and congrats! Do you mind me asking why you decided not to interview at ICO and/or attend it in general? Did you go with NOVA or IU? If NOVA, why NOVA vs others?Hey,
I received interviews from NOVA, SCO, ICO, UMSL, IU, and MID-IL with a 300 AA and 290 TS. I received a 290 on BIO and a 260 on PHY. Out of all the schools I only interviewed at 3 (NOVA, IU, and UMSL) and was accepted into IU and NOVA. Regardless, I had a 3.78 GPA and 3.56 Science GPA. You can definitely get into other schools as long as you have a solid rest of your application especially in terms of GPA, optometric experience, and extra activities!
I applied to PCO, NECO, ICO, & NOVA. Got interviews from PCO (done) and NECO so far. Supplemental invite from ICO. I'm debating if I should do the ICO supplemental or even the NOVA interview (if extended one) and just focus on PCO and NECO for now. NECO/PCO were my top choices. PCO interview went well and I'm looking forward to NECO interview. ICO and NOVA are amazing schools as well and I would love to interview there if it comes to that.
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Hey! Thanks for the reply. That's awesome and congrats! Do you mind me asking why you decided not to interview at ICO and/or attend it in general? Did you go with NOVA or IU? If NOVA, why NOVA vs others?
I applied to PCO, NECO, ICO, & NOVA. Got interviews from PCO (done) and NECO so far. Supplemental invite from ICO. I'm debating if I should do the ICO supplemental or even the NOVA interview (if extended one) and just focus on PCO and NECO for now. NECO/PCO were my top choices. PCO interview went well and I'm looking forward to NECO interview. ICO and NOVA are amazing schools as well and I would love to interview there if it comes to that.
Hey,
Granted I received the interviews for all the other schools, I had decided to not interview at them due to the fact that it was tiring and I am not a big fan of missing classes (I feel like I don't learn as well) and I knew that the three programs that I had set up interviews at were all programs that I was more interested in as opposed to ICO, MID-IL, and SCO. For me, I have been interning with a OD that had received his OD from Nova and practices vision therapy. To me, he has been a huge role model/mentor in terms of my understanding of the profession and vision therapy. With that, knowing that he went to Nova and seeing the way he has developed, I believe a lot of it was accredited to Nova and the programs and opportunities they have to offer. Needless to say, the reason I decided on Nova was the fact that I knew I can develop my interests in vision therapy and ability to speak Spanish in hopes of becoming a bilingual optometrist as well. To me, I feel like no other program can offer me all those opportunities. Plus it will be nice being able to take a relaxing break on the beach 🙂
Anyway, for your interviews that you have had or are setting up and attending, I would really be conscious of the fact that any school you plan on attending is that that school can present to you the best opportunities in hopes of developing all your abilities to the fullest into becoming the best OD you can be. However, if you still aren't too sure, I would give all the schools a try and really see where you can see yourself succeeding as a student and a person. Hope that helps and sorry it was so long!
Hey! Thanks for the reply. That's awesome and congrats! Do you mind me asking why you decided not to interview at ICO and/or attend it in general? Did you go with NOVA or IU? If NOVA, why NOVA vs others?
I applied to PCO, NECO, ICO, & NOVA. Got interviews from PCO (done) and NECO so far. Supplemental invite from ICO. I'm debating if I should do the ICO supplemental or even the NOVA interview (if extended one) and just focus on PCO and NECO for now. NECO/PCO were my top choices. PCO interview went well and I'm looking forward to NECO interview. ICO and NOVA are amazing schools as well and I would love to interview there if it comes to that.
Hi NasirU, how was your PCO interview? Do you mind giving me a tips and pointers on what to expect? any specific interview questions will greatly help! Thanks! Good luck to you too!
Hey, my PCO interview went really well! They were very welcoming and everything was straightforward. Honestly, just go in relaxed (don't stress too much) and present yourself to them through their questions, but they're not testing you or anything, so be honest and professional. The questions were pretty normal questions schools ask like why optometry, why PCO, and what are challenges facing optometry today. After that, the admissions counselor did go through my file and discuss a couple of things, but was just looking for feedback and further insight. My interviewer and I had a great conversation aside from optometry as well.Hi NasirU, how was your PCO interview? Do you mind giving me a tips and pointers on what to expect? any specific interview questions will greatly help! Thanks! Good luck to you too!
You'll be fine, good luck!
Just wanted to know if anyone has gotten interviews and/or been accepted to Optometry school with just one specific section lower than 300? If so, how low was the score? Anyone get asked by admissions to retake the OAT for further reconsideration due to the lower score? Would appreciate the feedback!
So far I've received interview invitations from ICO, Pacific, and NOVA, with an acceptance from ICO. My OAT was AA 320, TS 320, Bio 290, Chem 290, with 320+ on everything else, and 360 PHYS. GPA was 3.13, with a 3.01 TS GPA. It can happen for you!
So far I've received interview invitations from ICO, Pacific, and NOVA, with an acceptance from ICO. My OAT was AA 320, TS 320, Bio 290, Chem 290, with 320+ on everything else, and 360 PHYS. GPA was 3.13, with a 3.01 TS GPA. It can happen for you!
Nice, congrats!! The physics score is impressive and definitely stands out. Did they bring up the scores below 300 during the interview?
Nice, congrats!! The physics score is impressive and definitely stands out. Did they bring up the scores below 300 during the interview?
Yes my interviewer asked me how I felt about my OAT score in general. I said I was pleased with the overall score (320 was my goal after doing a couple practice tests at 290), but disappointed with my bio and chem scores. I also brought up how I had consistent B-A scores in my bio and chem classes. She agreed that the test probably didn't give a full picture, and compared those 2 to my phys and QR score (340). Beyond that, most of the interview was about my transcript.
