Organic Chemistry Prerequisite

[cassey ho]

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I will be a senior starting this September 08. I have not taken OAT or Organic Chem yet ( the other prerequisites I completed already)
I will have Ochem I by the end of December 08. I have 2 questions and please help me plan for when I can apply for OAT.
1. Can I plan for taking the OAT after finishing the Org Chem I ? or should I take Org Chem II before I can really take the OAT test because OAT seems to require Ochem II ( am I right ?)
Any other way that I can finish the ORG CHem II on my own ? Anybody out there has any suggestion ? because some schools do not require Ochem II
I can study on my own of Org CHem II after finishing Org Chem I if OAT requires to have Ochem II to do well in the test.
I can apply to Optometry school late if I have to. How late can I apply ?

2. Can I apply with my prerequisite pending ?
Some school requires only ORg Chem I. If that is the case, can I apply without OAT score. By December08 , I will complete Org Chem 1 and by the end of Spring 09 I will finish Org Chem II and OAT.
Is it feasible for admission into Fall 09 Optometry school ? My GPA is 3.8

Thanks

 

[blysssful]

After switching majors after 3 semesters, I was going to be in this situation also... however I took organic I & II this summer and am about to sit for the exam. Most (not all) of the organic material on the OAT seems to be from the first semester. However, if you're planning on applying for the '09 cycle, you need to look to see the latest the schools you want to apply to will accept OAT scores. PCO and Puerto Rico accept scores in May and June, but they are they only ones (according to last year's information). Most schools will not accept test scores later than March.

Is there a particular reason why you need to apply for this cycle? IMO, I would take a gap year if I were you. You would have the summer to study and take the OAT having all the organic chem you need. You would be ahead of the curve, rather than scrambling to get your application in before the deadline. Rolling admission favors early applicants.

You can apply with a pre-req pending (at least to all the schools I'm applying to), as long as you indicate when you are completing them. If you don't complete remaining pre-reqs by matriculation, they can revoke your admission. You should also be aware that some of the schools require bio/chem.

 

[cassey ho]

After switching majors after 3 semesters, I was going to be in this situation also... however I took organic I & II this summer and am about to sit for the exam. Most (not all) of the organic material on the OAT seems to be from the first semester. However, if you're planning on applying for the '09 cycle, you need to look to see the latest the schools you want to apply to will accept OAT scores. PCO and Puerto Rico accept scores in May and June, but they are they only ones (according to last year's information). Most schools will not accept test scores later than March.

Is there a particular reason why you need to apply for this cycle? IMO, I would take a gap year if I were you. You would have the summer to study and take the OAT having all the organic chem you need. You would be ahead of the curve, rather than scrambling to get your application in before the deadline. Rolling admission favors early applicants.

You can apply with a pre-req pending (at least to all the schools I'm applying to), as long as you indicate when you are completing them. If you don't complete remaining pre-reqs by matriculation, they can revoke your admission. You should also be aware that some of the schools require bio/chem.

I am appreciative of your feedback. The reason that I would like to apply for this cycle, because I am afraid that I will not use my time productively during the one year gap time together with my next 2 low-units semesters. However, I do consider the balance vs rush consequence. Maybe, what I should do is to try to finish my Ochem /Biochem prerequisites and perhaps my Business major too (current minor) for the remaining time instead of rushing through. Can I take Biochem in parallel with OCHem II ? You took Ochem I and II at the same time. Please tell me how you do it. Is that true that you have to take Ochem I before you can take Ochem II.
In order to take the OAT in December 08(right after finishing OChem I) , how early do i have to register for OAT. Next semester, I do not have any more units to complete except Ochems/Biochem and 2 more GE classes. I have time to review and perhaps take a chance on OAT without Ochem II. If the score comes out about 320, then I can apply and see. If not, then I will have to take Ochem II and Biochem at the same time in Spring 09, review again for OAT summer 09 test. Please comment. Thanks

 

[blysssful]

You took Ochem I and II at the same time. Please tell me how you do it. Is that true that you have to take Ochem I before you can take Ochem II.

I did not take Organic I and II at the same time. They were both condensed month-long classes that I took sequentially. As far as I know (and this is essentially limited to schools in VA), you have to finish organic II with a passing grade (i.e. above a C-) before continuing onto biochem. You would have to check with your school if you'd be able to take biochem with orgo II. Sometimes they make exceptions. My school doesn't even offer the two courses during the same semester though. But, don't even bother with biochem if the schools you're applying to don't require it. It was just a heads up.

I completely understand not wanting to waste time, but rushing through the application process might not land you at a school you'd be happy with. You worked hard in your undergrad (I'm assuming, anyway, if you have a 3.8). I personally would rather wait, gain experience (i.e. work in an opt office), and apply in a cycle where I have the advantage. If it weren't for rolling admissions, I'd say you shouldn't have a thing to worry about, but many schools fill their spots fast. But again, this is just my opinion. Do what seems right for you.