SUNY...Need Advice ASAP!

[hockeystar123]

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Hello,

I recently submit my OptomCAS application, as well as my OAT scores and most of my supplemental applications. I have also been invited for 6 interviews. I know I am a strong applicant, but my OAT scores were not great (AA 310), so I stated on my OptomCAS that I would be retaking the exam in December. My first choice is SUNY, and I have been invited for an interview. In their email, they said that "the review of your credentials for application to the professional program were favorable." Although my scores meet the standards of many schools (ICO, RSO, PCO, etc), I feel that they are definitely too low for SUNY's standards. Should I retake my OAT in December like I said I would on my OptomCAS or should I save myself the stress because I'm being invited for interviews and they've stated that I've passed the academic criteria necessary for admission? Should I call the admissions offices and ask if I should retake it? Will they not accept me until they receive my new scores (They didn't mention this to me...only one school has and that was SCO, but I've been doubting my chances at all the other schools since)?

Sorry for the long message, but I am really confused about what to do.

 

[Bioflare]

But if they admit you you'd be bringing down their stats on the OAT side and that's not good for publicity 🙁

/kidding

It's up to you, there are various stories of how schools will judge a candidate either by OAT or GPA. The trend is usually GPA > OAT but seriously 310 is pretty low for SUNY.
Personally I would retake just for my own sake, if you are going to a good school and your in the 40-60 percentile would you be satisfied?
Now 310 is the bare minimum for most Optometry schools, but then again if your GPA is high no sweat.
Just don't mess up your interview 😀

 

[Shnurek]

The trend is usually GPA > OAT but seriously 310 is pretty low for SUNY.

I'd disagree. I say OAT is more important because it is a direct comparison between candidates. GPA's can be inflated/deflated and vary from institution to institution. And yea, 310 you won't get into SUNY unless your GPA is amazing and you went to a well known university.

 

[hockeystar123]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it.

But if they admit you you'd be bringing down their stats on the OAT side and that's not good for publicity 🙁

But I'd bring their average GPA way up 😀

I do have a great GPA, I go to a competitive school, and I have great extracurricular experiences, two research publications, and in my opinion, an honest and well-written personal statement. I know my scores are not great. A lot happened before I took them.

I am not satisfied with my scores either, but my question was not really answered. Do competitive schools like SUNY request prospective students for interviews if they don't deem them as competitive? Do competitive schools like SUNY even request interviews if all the necessary material isn't complete (I know people who got interviews from PCO and they hadn't taken their OAT yet)?

 

[hockeystar123]

GPA's can be inflated/deflated and vary from institution to institution.

I know at some schools both an A and an A- is equivalent to a 4.0, but at others an A- is like a 3.9-3.8. Isn't this why OptomCAS recalculates the GPA's so that way all applicants can be judged equally?

 

[janedoe88]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it.



But I'd bring their average GPA way up 😀

I do have a great GPA, I go to a competitive school, and I have great extracurricular experiences, two research publications, and in my opinion, an honest and well-written personal statement. I know my scores are not great. A lot happened before I took them.

I am not satisfied with my scores either, but my question was not really answered. Do competitive schools like SUNY request prospective students for interviews if they don't deem them as competitive? Do competitive schools like SUNY even request interviews if all the necessary material isn't complete (I know people who got interviews from PCO and they hadn't taken their OAT yet)?

dude just retake the frickin OATs, if you're as smart as you seem to think you are, then you'll do fine...

 

[hockeystar123]

dude just retake the frickin OATs, if you're as smart as you seem to think you are, then you'll do fine...

It appears that I came across as cocky. I apologize, but that wasn't my intention at all.

 

[KHE]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it.



But I'd bring their average GPA way up 😀

I do have a great GPA, I go to a competitive school, and I have great extracurricular experiences, two research publications, and in my opinion, an honest and well-written personal statement. I know my scores are not great. A lot happened before I took them.

I am not satisfied with my scores either, but my question was not really answered. Do competitive schools like SUNY request prospective students for interviews if they don't deem them as competitive? Do competitive schools like SUNY even request interviews if all the necessary material isn't complete (I know people who got interviews from PCO and they hadn't taken their OAT yet)?

Why don't you call them directly and ask their recommendation rather than asking a bunch of anonymous internet people who likely have no connection to the school?