PCO interview

[bindaasvj]

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Hi guys,

I've been invited for an interview in PCO on Dec 22nd. I am not sure how Im feeling about it. I just suck at nationalized centralized exams! Which is why -
I have low OAT scores (Like right around 290's in each section) besides bio being 310 (which doesn't help I know). Obviously that's not a good enough reason.. But If needed, I'll retake the OAT after the 90 day per
I have a degree in bio, 3.6 GPA, tutoring/shadowing/great LOR's - Basically I will admit that I'm a hard working student, and I am academically good. I have good interpersonal skills, I think. And, I have a lot of experience in handling people (kids, teens, adults, parents - I'm a dance instructor!)
I keep reading everywhere that the class is already full. Not sure if that should bring my hopes down or not.
Any tips or words of encouragement? I need to Ace this interview. So ANY tips will be greatly appreciated.
God, help me.

 

[cloud99]

Did PCO have your oat scores when they extended the interview invitation? This may make a difference for you; if they already had them, they were still interested in you despite the low scores.

When did you take your oats? If you just took them, you're looking at early march before you can take them again, which is quite late, but the class is not full. Where are you hearing that?

 

[eye see]

I was wondering...are u enrolled in spring quarter classes? I already graduated undergrad, but PCO told me they're waiting to see if I'm gonna enroll in spring classes because they recommend that students maintain academics throughout the year. I"ve never heard of this before...and i dont know if i wanna enroll in classes JUST for PCO....

 

[CarpeDeom]

I recently spoke to an admissions couselor at PCO, and she assured me that the class is not full.

 

[bindaasvj]

Hey All - Thanks for your replies
Yea they should have had my OAT scores by then as it takes 2 weeks only to send scores and I gave it last week of october.
Anyhow - I read it somewhere on this studentdoctor forums that the class is getting full. Thanks for reassuring guys!

Have any of you interviewed there? What are the common interview questions? I got a lot from online - I am just trying to consolidate my answers this week. My interview is next Tuesday 12/22

btw eye see - Yes, I'm enrolled for taking a Calculus class over the spring as I need that one class to fulfil requirements.
I know they do recommend you to be an active student ..what the admissions counsellor at PCO told me was that ..if you keep takin science classes ..the start of OD program doesn't come as a shock to u ..as opposed to those who take a break and come..the study load is a shock. I'm not sure..
I've been working as a research tech at a university doing cancer research, I'm not sure if that counts as an academic qualification.

 

[Shasta03]

I took a year off to work between undergrad and optometry school and I managed just fine at the start of school, and my semesters before that weren't even crazy (14-15 hour semesters). You'll be just fine, but requirements are requirements if you're that interested in PCO.

 

[bindaasvj]

I got provisional acceptance @ PCO. Hopefully, it all falls in place!

 

[cloud99]

saw on another thread that your provision is the calc class. They didn't ask you to retake oats?

 

[bindaasvj]

They said they only provision I have is to take the calculus class and pass it with C or better. But some advisor there told me that she recommends that I still retake the OAT so that I get used to the standardized testing format. So I will retake it, but not right away, Sometime in March or so.

 

[nc2tarheels]

so you got accepted to PCO with the provision that you complete calc. So why would you retakethe OAT? That's $200+ that your spending for no reason.

 

[bindaasvj]

I just spoke to 2 people @ PCO admissions and that's what they recomended + they had not mailed out the letter yet.
So, since I haven't received the 'official letter', I'm just being the normal skeptical person who thinks they might change their mind and ask me to retake it lol (Well maybe that's not normal hehe) Let's hope that doesn't happen. But if it does, I'm okay with studying for it again (**Pray pray pray that doesn't happen!).