Should i apply into a masters program?

[fly10]

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I already interviewed and put my application on hold cause i decided to re-take the OAT.
On my first attempt my scores were 290AA, 300TS ..
Im retaking it during the second week of january, I know thats really late during the cycle but that was the earliest i could retake it considering i took it the first time in Mid October.

I don't think I have a shot at getting in this year any more.. so im thinking of applying to a graduate program.
I dont wanna take random courses during the year off, Im confused.

 

[optoapp2012]

I already interviewed and put my application on hold cause i decided to re-take the OAT.
On my first attempt my scores were 290AA, 300TS ..
Im retaking it during the second week of january, I know thats really late during the cycle but that was the earliest i could retake it considering i took it the first time in Mid October.

I don't think I have a shot at getting in this year any more.. so im thinking of applying to a graduate program.
I dont wanna take random courses during the year off, Im confused.

Have you talked to the admissions offices where you are applying? Some of them are great about giving specific feedback about a score you should get on the OAT. Or tell them that you are retaking it in January, and let them know that you will scan your scores the second you take them in order to line up an interview. At least give it the best shot you can to get in this year!

I know someone who took the OAT for the first time last January and got waitlisted, but got into at least 2 different programs (one of them being his #1).

If it doesn't work out, then a masters program would certainly strengthen your academic qualifications. It can also help to work in an optometry office during that year, although schools will ask about whether you can handle the load after taking a year off - a masters program would show that you definitely could.

What schools are you applying to? I know several are great about counseling students in your position about exactly what they need to do in order to get admission, or what to do with a year off. However, depending on the program you're applying to and your GPA...it's not out of the question to get in with the scores you have now. Missouri, Oklahoma, and PCO all have an average OAT TS of around 310 (that means 50% of the students fall below that), and Puerto Rico's average is 298.

http://www.opted.org/files/public/Profile of the Entering Class 2010FINALpdf.pdf

 

[Optometry1988]

Honestly, depending on your GPA you can get into some schools. I am in the same boat as you. My friend had a 3.3 GPA and a 290 OAT and got into several schools last year. Only go for a masters if you really want to. Or maybe apply to both? 🙂

 

[fly10]

Im really dont want to go to PR. my gpa is 3.1 and I figured instead of PCO putting my on hold, its better to just put my application on hold(before they do) and tell them i am retaking the OAT. Which i was going to retake anyway cause I am not satisfied with my scores.

I actually tried to 2 do everything i possibly could to get in this cycle.
i applied in early august and wrote my OAT in early October and interviewed at PCO around the same time i wrote my OAT.

Im still a full time student and have finals till DEC 20th so I will probably have 2 weeks to study for the OAT. I don't know how realistic it is to still have hopes of getting in for the 2012 cycle.

@optoapp2012 what school did you're friend get waitlisted from? and what were their stats?

I only applied to 3 schools pco being one of them, and neco already rejected me.

 

[janedoe88]

its wierd that they would reject you because you stats are pretty much average? ...did you ask neco why they rejected you?

I think if you can get a good answer from neco than that would tell you what to do next or improve on.

if it makes you feel better, I got rejected from NECO this year too...seems like they're being tougher with stats this year considering i know someone that got in with a low GPA last year...never know i guess!

 

[Optometry1988]

it may be due to the new school that's accepting apps maybe neco thinks the people who get rejected will go to that new school

Thats a possibility! Have you considered applying to the new school? I did some research on them and they seem good! If you talk to them and the like you, you may get the benefit of the doubt.

 

[optoapp2012]

Im really dont want to go to PR. my gpa is 3.1 and I figured instead of PCO putting my on hold, its better to just put my application on hold(before they do) and tell them i am retaking the OAT. Which i was going to retake anyway cause I am not satisfied with my scores.

I actually tried to 2 do everything i possibly could to get in this cycle.
i applied in early august and wrote my OAT in early October and interviewed at PCO around the same time i wrote my OAT.

Im still a full time student and have finals till DEC 20th so I will probably have 2 weeks to study for the OAT. I don't know how realistic it is to still have hopes of getting in for the 2012 cycle.

@optoapp2012 what school did you're friend get waitlisted from? and what were their stats?

I only applied to 3 schools pco being one of them, and neco already rejected me.

My friend got into SCO. I don't know his stats though. I think he had a pretty decent GPA, but an average OAT. But I'm not sure, because he did get outright rejected at a few places (so maybe he had lower stats?). It's so hit or miss on each program - apply to several and don't be phased by the NECO rejection!

Have you talked to the admissions office at PCO about your OAT? I didn't apply there, so I don't know how open/friendly they are to advising students in that way.