PCO invited EVERYONE for an interview?

[janedoe88]

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Hi everyone, I just received an invitation to interview at PCO. I was excited until I noticed that everyone I know applying this cycle (2012) received one too, even some people with very low GPAs. Is this some sort of new strategy they are trying where they are broadening their interview pool? I don't want to spend $2000 to fly there if my odds aren't even that good.

thanks!

 

[Judgment Dragon]

Hi everyone, I just received an invitation to interview at PCO. I was excited until I noticed that everyone I know applying this cycle (2012) received one too, even some people with very low GPAs. Is this some sort of new strategy they are trying where they are broadening their interview pool? I don't want to spend $2000 to fly there if my odds aren't even that good.

thanks!

Yes.

 

[janedoe88]

did anyone not get an interview/ get rejected this cycle?

 

[Shnurek]

For-profit college wants your moneys 🙂

 

[Judgment Dragon]

did anyone not get an interview/ get rejected this cycle?

I don't know of any PCO applicant who was denied of an interview so far. Regarding rejections, not yet.

 

[CarpeDeom]

PCO is actually a federally recognized non-profit.

 

[KHE]

Hi everyone, I just received an invitation to interview at PCO. I was excited until I noticed that everyone I know applying this cycle (2012) received one too, even some people with very low GPAs. Is this some sort of new strategy they are trying where they are broadening their interview pool? I don't want to spend $2000 to fly there if my odds aren't even that good.

thanks!

How low were these GPAs? 😱

 

[janedoe88]

How low were these GPAs? 😱

Below 3.0, I know someone with a 2.8 that got an interview and someone with a 2.9 that also got an interview...what's up with that? I mean I personally don't think my GPA is that great so I really do appreciate them considering OAT scores and extracurriculars....so I really hope that this is the reason behind the large pool of interviews given out.

 

[Judgment Dragon]

PCO is actually a federally recognized non-profit.

Well some non-profit schools still try to profit.

How low were these GPAs? 😱

Lowest one I've heard was 2.50 / 4.00 GPA and still getting interview.

 

[nicmc]

Yeah, I have seen some pretty low GPAs get interviews this cycle. It really angers me to know that some schools care more about filling seats and getting tuition money than the qualifications of the applicant.

 

[optom123]

Below 3.0, I know someone with a 2.8 that got an interview and someone with a 2.9 that also got an interview...what's up with that? I mean I personally don't think my GPA is that great so I really do appreciate them considering OAT scores and extracurriculars....so I really hope that this is the reason behind the large pool of interviews given out.

Whats the difference between a 2.8 and a 3.0?

 

[janedoe88]

Yeah, I have seen some pretty low GPAs get interviews this cycle. It really angers me to know that some schools care more about filling seats and getting tuition money than the qualifications of the applicant.

Well I personally think basing an applicant on GPA is a horrible idea. Midwestern is only giving out interviews to above 2.75 and they're a bad school. I think a good school knows that applicants that took hard classes in college or went to a more difficult college will have a lower GPA and it shows that they're actually really smart based off their OAT (which you can't boost up your score by going to some private college that fluffs their grades). I'm just curious why Penn decided to take this road this year and if they've always considered more than GPA for their applicants.

 

[Judgment Dragon]

Yeah, I have seen some pretty low GPAs get interviews this cycle. It really angers me to know that some schools care more about filling seats and getting tuition money than the qualifications of the applicant.

They care about money.

Whats the difference between a 2.8 and a 3.0?

A 3.0 is higher.

Well I personally think basing an applicant on GPA is a horrible idea. Midwestern is only giving out interviews to above 2.75 and they're a bad school. I think a good school knows that applicants that took hard classes in college or went to a more difficult college will have a lower GPA and it shows that they're actually really smart based off their OAT (which you can't boost up your score by going to some private college that fluffs their grades). I'm just curious why Penn decided to take this road this year and if they've always considered more than GPA for their applicants.

PCO is trying out a new protocol this year.

 

[nicmc]

Well I personally think basing an applicant on GPA is a horrible idea. Midwestern is only giving out interviews to above 2.75 and they're a bad school. I think a good school knows that applicants that took hard classes in college or went to a more difficult college will have a lower GPA and it shows that they're actually really smart based off their OAT (which you can't boost up your score by going to some private college that fluffs their grades). I'm just curious why Penn decided to take this road this year and if they've always considered more than GPA for their applicants.

That is incredibly naive. Yes, there are other things to consider, which is why we do not think that it is unreasonable for a person with a 3.0 to go to school. Yes, going to a difficult college can make it harder to get good grades, but there are plenty of people who go to difficult schools, major in a science and don't come out with 2.5s. The difference is, a person with a 3.0 had around a "B" average, the person with below that has more Cs and lower as the majority of their grade. Also, doing decently on the OAT is not an indicator of being really smart. The test is a joke. What many Pre-Optometry students on here fail to realize is that getting in is only the beginning. Once in school, you have got to do well, taking between 25 and 35 hours of graduate level coursework. How do you expect them to fare when they could not be good students in college? No, everything is not about GPA, but there is a legitimate reason that we would be concerned about schools even considering applicants with 2.5s.

 

[janedoe88]

They care about money.



A 3.0 is higher.



PCO is trying out a new protocol this year.

How do you know this? It says you're pre-pharm haha.

 

[janedoe88]

That is incredibly naive. Yes, there are other things to consider, which is why we do not think that it is unreasonable for a person with a 3.0 to go to school. Yes, going to a difficult college can make it harder to get good grades, but there are plenty of people who go to difficult schools, major in a science and don't come out with 2.5s. The difference is, a person with a 3.0 had around a "B" average, the person with below that has more Cs and lower as the majority of their grade. Also, doing decently on the OAT is not an indicator of being really smart. The test is a joke. What many Pre-Optometry students on here fail to realize is that getting in is only the beginning. Once in school, you have got to do well, taking between 25 and 35 hours of graduate level coursework. How do you expect them to fare when they could not be good students in college? No, everything is not about GPA, but there is a legitimate reason that we would be concerned about schools even considering applicants with 2.5s.

First off, I said 2.8-2.9, not 2.5. And someone can be a very strong applicant with a lower GPA but have a ton of experience in the optometry field and have other non-stat qualities that would make them an excellant candidate.

 

[KHE]

First off, I said 2.8-2.9, not 2.5. And someone can be a very strong applicant with a lower GPA but have a ton of experience in the optometry field and have other non-stat qualities that would make them an excellant candidate.

You could probably find just as many candidates with "a ton of experience in the optometry field and have other non-state qualities that would make them excellent candidates" who have GPAs of 2.5 and lower.

Should we interview them too?

I ask again.....is it not reasonable to expect that people applying for admission to programs in which they will be trained and licensed to care for the ocular and visual health of the population somehow manage to produce at least a B average?

Is that actually asking too much?

 

[optom123]

A 2.7 is a B- average though. I don't think there's a big difference between a 2.7 and a 3.0 since they are practically both B grades.

For comparison purposes, people may think that a 3.5 gpa is a great GPA, but its only a B+ average, whereas a 2.7 gpa is a B- average.

Don't you think a candidate with a B- average would be able to handle the course load, if a candidate with a B+ average could too?

 

[nicmc]

You could probably find just as many candidates with "a ton of experience in the optometry field and have other non-state qualities that would make them excellent candidates" who have GPAs of 2.5 and lower.

Should we interview them too?

I ask again.....is it not reasonable to expect that people applying for admission to programs in which they will be trained and licensed to care for the ocular and visual health of the population somehow manage to produce at least a B average?

Is that actually asking too much?

👍

I mean seriously, we are going to be doctors with a lot of responsibility. You have got to have the right kind of mind to be making health care decisions for someone. Picking the most qualified individuals makes the most sense. Just about everyone has other great attributes and experience in the field, so I do not see how that makes any difference.

 

[nicmc]

A 2.7 is a B- average though. I don't think there's a big difference between a 2.7 and a 3.0 since they are practically both B grades.

For comparison purposes, people may think that a 3.5 gpa is a great GPA, but its only a B+ average, whereas a 2.7 gpa is a B- average.

Don't you think a candidate with a B- average would be able to handle the course load, if a candidate with a B+ average could too?

Only at some schools. Not everyone is on the +/- system, and there are so many variations of it that you cannot say that they made a B- average. And no, there is a HUGE difference between a 3.5 and a 2.7. A 3.5 says that you are pretty balanced between As and Bs (there also might be a few Cs), but the point is that you have shown that you can perform well. Let me tell you that Optometry school is challenging, and individuals who can't cut it in college are going to have huge problems in optometry school.

 

[319671]

Only at some schools. Not everyone is on the +/- system, and there are so many variations of it that you cannot say that they made a B- average. And no, there is a HUGE difference between a 3.5 and a 2.7. A 3.5 says that you are pretty balanced between As and Bs (there also might be a few Cs), but the point is that you have shown that you can perform well. Let me tell you that Optometry school is challenging, and individuals who can't cut it in college are going to have huge problems in optometry school.

generally, but studnets who have low gpas arent necessarily goign to fail in opt school

 

[optom123]

Only at some schools. Not everyone is on the +/- system, and there are so many variations of it that you cannot say that they made a B- average. And no, there is a HUGE difference between a 3.5 and a 2.7. A 3.5 says that you are pretty balanced between As and Bs (there also might be a few Cs), but the point is that you have shown that you can perform well. Let me tell you that Optometry school is challenging, and individuals who can't cut it in college are going to have huge problems in optometry school.

There isn't a huge difference between a b+,b and b-


Not sure why you are trying to argue with that.

 

[Judgment Dragon]

How do you know this? It says you're pre-pharm haha.

Well, let's just say I have connections (if you know what I mean).

 

[Kevin L]

Well, let's just say I have connections (if you know what I mean).

I know what you mean. =)

 

[janedoe88]

Well, let's just say I have connections (if you know what I mean).

Okay, do you know if an interview in early Dec (none of the dates in nov really worked for me) is a "late" interview? How quickly do all the seats fill up?

 

[KHE]

There isn't a huge difference between a b+,b and b-


Not sure why you are trying to argue with that.

Someone with a B+ average has attained mostly As and Bs.

Someone with a B- average has attained mostly Bs and Cs.

I'd say there's a big dfference. 🙄

 

[nicmc]

generally, but studnets who have low gpas arent necessarily goign to fail in opt school

I didn't say they were going to fail, I said that they are going to seriously struggle.

 

[nicmc]

There isn't a huge difference between a b+,b and b-


Not sure why you are trying to argue with that.

Once again, at different schools a 2.7 is not a B-. It's a C+, and as KHE mentioned above, there is a big difference between an average of mostly As and Bs and mostly Bs and Cs. Not sure why YOU are trying to argue with that.

 

[Eyes Only]

Your emphasis should be on whether or not you can succeed in optometry school, not on whether or not you are minimally qualified to get in.

 

[Judgment Dragon]

Okay, do you know if an interview in early Dec (none of the dates in nov really worked for me) is a "late" interview? How quickly do all the seats fill up?

It mostly depends on when you were offered an interview not when you choose an interview date. Seats fill up quick.

 

[janedoe88]

It mostly depends on when you were offered an interview not when you choose an interview date. Seats fill up quick.

thanks! Also do you know if the exit interview is at the very end of the day? I booked my flight back to CA at 3pm...do you think I could get out around 1:30?

 

[Judgment Dragon]

thanks! Also do you know if the exit interview is at the very end of the day? I booked my flight back to CA at 3pm...do you think I could get out around 1:30?

Exit interviews are usually conducted right after main interview except if there is a lot of students, then you should have to call them right now to make sure.

 

[optom123]

Once again, at different schools a 2.7 is not a B-. It's a C+, and as KHE mentioned above, there is a big difference between an average of mostly As and Bs and mostly Bs and Cs. Not sure why YOU are trying to argue with that.

but the majority of grades are B grades in either case. I really think a student with a b- average would be able to do just as well as someone with a b+ average, though it may require more work for them. Also a b+ avg isn't all that impressive if you compare it to a b- average.....yes the person got more a's, but they could not cut it to get to the next level which is basically an a average. I think this is another reason why schools let people with lower gpas get in, I.e. There is no Accepted minimal competitive standard like med schools where you basically need an a average to get in.

I mean if this was not the case,then why does Pco have a minimum acceptable g.p.a of 2.5, which is like a c+...

Anyways, I definitely agree that a 3.5 is much better than a 2.7, but they are really both B averages, which in the grand scheme of things is just above mediocre and just shy of excellence.

 

[319671]

at my school a 2.7 is a b-

 

[Kevin L]

at my school a 2.7 is a b-

At some schools it is 2.77 GPA for a B-.

 

[319671]

At some schools it is 2.77 GPA for a B-.

damn lucky

 

[Morsetlis]

Too much of a good thing and you also complaint 😛

 

[janedoe88]

Exit interviews are usually conducted right after main interview except if there is a lot of students, then you should have to call them right now to make sure.

thanks, do you know if they have a rep in california you could interview with? Also, does anyone know if any of the other Opt schools out of CA have a rep in CA that does interviews?

 

[Kevin L]

thanks, do you know if they have a rep in california you could interview with? Also, does anyone know if any of the other Opt schools out of CA have a rep in CA that does interviews?

Not sure. Usually, you have to fly to their school. 🙁

 

[319671]

Not sure. Usually, you have to fly to their school. 🙁

kevin-did your friend with the low gpa end up getting into pco?

 

[janedoe88]

Not sure. Usually, you have to fly to their school. 🙁

I find that really unfair. I mean for undergraduate and Med schools they let you interview at reps in CA. Does anyone know for sure if none of the schools have Reps in CA? I heard that SUNY used to.

 

[319671]

I find that really unfair. I mean for undergraduate and Med schools they let you interview at reps in CA. Does anyone know for sure if none of the schools have Reps in CA? I heard that SUNY used to.

i'm from cali, it cost me $466 (round trip) + $135 (hotel), not $2000. you can complain all you want, they're not going to fly out a rep just for you.

 

[Judgment Dragon]

I find that really unfair. I mean for undergraduate and Med schools they let you interview at reps in CA. Does anyone know for sure if none of the schools have Reps in CA? I heard that SUNY used to.

Actually I never heard of MD / DO schools using reps in CA either.

 

[Kevin L]

kevin-did your friend with the low gpa end up getting into pco?

IDK. I gave you his email address. Just email him and ask him.

 

[nicmc]

I find that really unfair. I mean for undergraduate and Med schools they let you interview at reps in CA. Does anyone know for sure if none of the schools have Reps in CA? I heard that SUNY used to.

So is it unfair that everyone else has to go to the schools too? Let's just put reps from every school in every state so no one ever has to get on a plane! Yes, it's expensive. Everyone has to do it. Get over it.

 

[319671]

IDK. I gave you his email address. Just email him and ask him.

oh wow thanks for that suggestion. i could not have thought of that myself. i did. he doesnt respond? i thought being his friend you would know

 

[319671]

So is it unfair that everyone else has to go to the schools too? Let's just put reps from every school in every state so no one ever has to get on a plane! Yes, it's expensive. Everyone has to do it. Get over it.

yeah then apply to med school

 

[opto89]

So is it unfair that everyone else has to go to the schools too? Let's just put reps from every school in every state so no one ever has to get on a plane! Yes, it's expensive. Everyone has to do it. Get over it.

Sorry, but I agree with this too. Unfortunately, traveling for the interviews is just part of the process, however costly and inconvenient it may be. :/

 

[Judgment Dragon]

I find that really unfair. I mean for undergraduate and Med schools they let you interview at reps in CA. Does anyone know for sure if none of the schools have Reps in CA? I heard that SUNY used to.

Just save money.

 

[Kevin L]

oh wow thanks for that suggestion. i could not have thought of that myself. i did. he doesnt respond? i thought being his friend you would know

K. NP.