Reapplying

[Sasha08]

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Hi everyone! Anyone else here reapplying for the 2019-2020 year?? How are you guys improving your applications? I was told to get a post bachelor degree and then reapply. However i'm trying to find other ways to improve my application without having to do more school. Thanks 🙂

 

[JBL0008]

It really depends on what your weaknesses are on your application. If its your GPA, a post bach degree would be a good option. I had a poor GPA after undergrad and ended up doing a one year masters. Graduated with a 4.0 and all the schools I applied to loved that. If your OAT score is low you might want to retake it. I know people can get in with low OAT scores like 300 but most likely they had a high GPA to counter that.
Sometimes schools want to see more shadowing, volunteering, or extracurricular activities. If that might be the case that's an easy fix.

From what I've seen on multiple forums, it looks like the average GPA is around a 3.4 for all schools and a 320-330 OAT score. Also, contact the schools you applied to and see what they have to say.

 

[Sasha08]

Thank you! What kind of masters degree did you do? My weakness is my GPA and also oat.

 

[JBL0008]

Thank you! What kind of masters degree did you do? My weakness is my GPA and also oat.

I earned a masters in biology. If you can take enough post-bach classes and boost your GPA to a 3.4 I would recommend that. I graduated with a 3.0 undergrad GPA and knew I needed a masters before I applied. It was 100% worth it. I only got asked once about my undergrad GPA due to a class I had to retake. The remaining questions were about my time as a graduate student. Also, OPTOMCAS combines the undergrad GPA and graduate GPA so my application said my overall was a 3.4. But the schools looked at my GPA as a 4.0 because it was a more prestigious degree.

For your OAT score if you scored 300 or below I would retake it. People who got in with a low OAT most likely had high GPA to help them out.

 

[Sasha08]

This really helped! Thank you so much I really appreciate it. I think I will end up doing a master's degree. Because my GPA is around a 3.0 and I'm going to retake the OAT later this year.

 

[JBL0008]

This really helped! Thank you so much I really appreciate it. I think I will end up doing a master's degree. Because my GPA is around a 3.0 and I'm going to retake the OAT later this year.

Anytime! I would make a small suggestion and really try and not have anything going on while you study for the OAT. I planned my schedule to have 2 months of doing nothing but prepping for it.

 

[Sasha08]

That's true. What did you use to study for the OAT last time I took a Kaplan course but I can't say it helped me too much.

 

[JBL0008]

That's true. What did you use to study for the OAT last time I took a Kaplan course but I can't say it helped me too much.

Yeah the Kaplan course is a waste of time and especially money. I'll give you a my full study schedule and material list.

1st month - I watched all the Chad videos for the OAT practice. I took notes during every video and the quizzes. I would sometimes go back and rewatch the videos if I was still confused on a topic later during my studying. I had a notebook for each section on the OAT to keep my notes organized.
Here is the link, its $50 a month. I heard that Chad videos are free on another site but I didn't use those. These videos are designed to help you prep for tests like the OAT, DAT, or MCAT and I had a feeling the free videos were more designed for courses you would take during undergrad.
OAT Videos | CourseSaver

2nd month - All OAT Destroyer. I would do 30-40 problems from the bio, ochem, and gchem section 4-5 days out of the week. The other days I would only focus on the physic problems and QR. I bought the package that came with the OAT Destroyer book and the physics book. I think it was the cheapest option.
Dr. Jim Romano, NYU doctoral graduate, dental surgeon, top educational science tutor - Orgoman.com

I say I studied 4-5 hours each day but took one day off during the week to relax. Also the second month I took a few practice tests. I took the OAT 2 weeks after the 2nd month and during those two weeks I just looked over material I was still confused on or I knew I needed more practice. If you have the big kaplan book that would help with the bio section or Ari's biology notes.

 

[Sasha08]

Wow! I appreciate this soo much. Thank you!