Hi everyone, I've been a casual observer for a while. However I am stuck in a dilemma and so I made this account to seek for advice.
Tomorrow marks the first day of my senior year as an undergrad. My target is to apply to the College of Optometry of the University of Houston for this current cycle. I have not started the application process, but I am planning to take the OAT in either late September or October. The dilemma I'm facing is that I goofed off during the summer and have barely started studying for it. This semester I will be taking 16 credit hours, which includes 2 BIOL lectures, 1 lab, and 3 non science lectures. My goal is to make a rather high OAT score (~350+) to accommodate for my not-so-stellar GPA. In addition, I plan to make all A's this semester to prove that I am capable. I firmly believe that I have the aptitude and that I can get straight A's. However, I don't believe I can do that while simultaneously grinding for a high OAT score.
I've worked for 3 years at the same optical/clinic. I love what I do and interacting with the patients. I have been heavily involved with POPS & volunteering as soon as I transferred from community college to my current university. That said, what's holding me back are my substandard GPA, and my propensity to "goof off".
Considering what I've said so far is it better for me to focus on classes, study for the OAT during winter break, and take it in early February? OR would it also be advisable if I take a gap year, take the OAT after graduation for the next cycle, and retake classes I didn't do too well on (i.e. made a C in biochem lab, B in Physics II)?
It's nice to attend optometry school the Fall after I graduate, but I am also fine with taking a gap year. If I do the latter, I would certainly use that opportunity to boost my pedigree, diversify my experience, and retake classes. If you have another idea on other courses of action I should take, please share 🙂
If I do not reply to you, thank you in advance!
Tomorrow marks the first day of my senior year as an undergrad. My target is to apply to the College of Optometry of the University of Houston for this current cycle. I have not started the application process, but I am planning to take the OAT in either late September or October. The dilemma I'm facing is that I goofed off during the summer and have barely started studying for it. This semester I will be taking 16 credit hours, which includes 2 BIOL lectures, 1 lab, and 3 non science lectures. My goal is to make a rather high OAT score (~350+) to accommodate for my not-so-stellar GPA. In addition, I plan to make all A's this semester to prove that I am capable. I firmly believe that I have the aptitude and that I can get straight A's. However, I don't believe I can do that while simultaneously grinding for a high OAT score.
I've worked for 3 years at the same optical/clinic. I love what I do and interacting with the patients. I have been heavily involved with POPS & volunteering as soon as I transferred from community college to my current university. That said, what's holding me back are my substandard GPA, and my propensity to "goof off".
Considering what I've said so far is it better for me to focus on classes, study for the OAT during winter break, and take it in early February? OR would it also be advisable if I take a gap year, take the OAT after graduation for the next cycle, and retake classes I didn't do too well on (i.e. made a C in biochem lab, B in Physics II)?
It's nice to attend optometry school the Fall after I graduate, but I am also fine with taking a gap year. If I do the latter, I would certainly use that opportunity to boost my pedigree, diversify my experience, and retake classes. If you have another idea on other courses of action I should take, please share 🙂
If I do not reply to you, thank you in advance!
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