POOR GPA & Optometry Admissions

[buzz killington]

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Hey all,

I've recently just graduated with a B.Sc. in Psychology (major) and Microbiology (minor). My overall gpa from my university is a 2.88 on a 4.5 scale (~ 2.54 on a 4.0 scale) 🙁. About a year ago, I started working in an optometrist's office and became really interested in the field of optometry and started to look into the profession a little more seriously.

I really want to study to become an optometrist, but I'm worried that my poor gpa may prevent me from getting accepted into any of the schools. I'm an older student (25 years old) and I'm a non-US resident (I live in Canada). I would like to know if I even stand a chance of having my application looked at. Again, I know my gpa hinders my chances, but I just wanted to know what my options are (if I have any ). I appreciate your feedback 🙂

 

[Od_IT]

You will probably need to take some courses and show improvement, before being considered. You should ask the schools what they think and what you should do.

 

[canucksstanley]

I don't think schools recalculate your GPA if you're on a 4.33 scale.

Hey all,

I've recently just graduated with a B.Sc. in Psychology (major) and Microbiology (minor). My overall gpa from my university is a 2.88 on a 4.5 scale (~ 2.54 on a 4.0 scale) 🙁. About a year ago, I started working in an optometrist's office and became really interested in the field of optometry and started to look into the profession a little more seriously.

I really want to study to become an optometrist, but I'm worried that my poor gpa may prevent me from getting accepted into any of the schools. I'm an older student (25 years old) and I'm a non-US resident (I live in Canada). I would like to know if I even stand a chance of having my application looked at. Again, I know my gpa hinders my chances, but I just wanted to know what my options are (if I have any ). I appreciate your feedback 🙂

 

[caliapp]

I definitely think you should take some classes to show that you are trying to improve your GPA. Not all is lost though. Just work hard to do well on your OATS and I am sure at least one school will recognize your efforts and improvements.

 

[buzz killington]

Hey guys! Thanks for the input; I really appreciate it 👍.

I also wanted to mention the grades I've received for my optometry pre-requisites:

Biology 1: B; Biology 2: B+
Chem 1: B+; Chem 2: B+
Micro: C+; Biochem 1: C+
Organic 1: B; Organic 2: C
Calculus 1: F (re-took it, got a B+); Calculus 2: F (will be re-taking during the summer)
Bio Stats: A
English: B
Physics 1: B
Physics 2: B+

I suffered A LOT of C's during my second year due to poor time management (thus achieving a poor gpa 🙁) and wanted to know, that aside from calc 2; is it worth re-taking any of the other courses? I was possibly considering re-taking micro, biochem, and organic 2; or should I consider looking into post graduate courses?

Thanks again for all your insight! 🙂

 

[prettygreeneyes]

Better to take upper division courses and do well in them, than to retake courses. When retaking a class, the bar is raised, so to speak. If you've already seen all of the material, there is no reason you shouldn't do VERY well in the class. So - moral of the story - take a decent load of upper division science courses (because that's what you'll face in optometry school... no one class per semester stuff here!) and do well in them. Start forming a relationship with the admissions counselors at the school(s) you are interested in. They can give you the best guidance of all.

Good luck.

(Exception to the retake thing above - obviously if the course was a prereq and you did poorly, you'll have to retake it for a better grade.)

 

[sportsdude00]

why did you even take calc 2?

 

[jymezg]

Hey guys! Thanks for the input; I really appreciate it 👍.

I also wanted to mention the grades I've received for my optometry pre-requisites:

Biology 1: B; Biology 2: B+
Chem 1: B+; Chem 2: B+
Micro: C+; Biochem 1: C+
Organic 1: B; Organic 2: C
Calculus 1: F (re-took it, got a B+); Calculus 2: F (will be re-taking during the summer)
Bio Stats: A
English: B
Physics 1: B
Physics 2: B+

I suffered A LOT of C's during my second year due to poor time management (thus achieving a poor gpa 🙁) and wanted to know, that aside from calc 2; is it worth re-taking any of the other courses? I was possibly considering re-taking micro, biochem, and organic 2; or should I consider looking into post graduate courses?

Thanks again for all your insight! 🙂

It might be more advantageous to take some upper level chem/bio/physics courses to show that u have mastered the material and can handle the courses.

 

[buzz killington]

I actually took intro to calculus at another institution where the course was 6 credit hours (i.e. a one year course). I was barely passing and was naive enough to think that I could still pass the final (which was worth 60%) and just pass the class. The university that I completed my degree at only recognizes 3 cr hour courses so it broke up my 6 credit hour into a 3 credit hour ocurse.

 

[Verie]

You do still have a chance of getting an interview because there are a few Optometry schools that actually have contracts with specific regions, especially with Canada. Meaning that some schools hold a few seats (maybe 6?) for Canadian and international students. I would definitely check out UHCO or NOVA, because I think one of those two were the ones speaking about having a contract seats for Canadian students. I would suggest looking into this because this will be a great advantage for you.

Also, I would suggest, as others have mentioned, retaking courses and scoring higher, and doing very well on the OAT. Although, OAT and GPA are not the only factors considered. So don't give up!