take Oat first to see the score or apply first then submit score?

[banoo]

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hi
I am trying to apply to optometry schools for 2012, however im confused about how the application process works, each school tells me different things. I was wondering if anybody who has gotten in has good advices for me to follow? I am done with all my pre-reqs, however I have not takent he OAT yet, I am planning to take it in September. I know OPTOMCAS application starts on July 1st this year. My science GPA is not that high so the doctor I work for told me to wait and take the OAT and if I do good then apply to schools, however some schools told me its the best to apply ASAP and then just submit my OAT score later, However I am afraid that since my Science GPA is not that high and if I take the OAT the first time and not get the score I am looking for, it will look really bad for my application. What do you guys think I should do? submit my applications then send my OAT score? or just wait and take the OAT and see how I do then submit applications?
thank you so much

 

[thecgrblue]

hi
I am trying to apply to optometry schools for 2012, however im confused about how the application process works, each school tells me different things. I was wondering if anybody who has gotten in has good advices for me to follow? I am done with all my pre-reqs, however I have not takent he OAT yet, I am planning to take it in September. I know OPTOMCAS application starts on July 1st this year. My science GPA is not that high so the doctor I work for told me to wait and take the OAT and if I do good then apply to schools, however some schools told me its the best to apply ASAP and then just submit my OAT score later, However I am afraid that since my Science GPA is not that high and if I take the OAT the first time and not get the score I am looking for, it will look really bad for my application. What do you guys think I should do? submit my applications then send my OAT score? or just wait and take the OAT and see how I do then submit applications?
thank you so much

Do you want to go to optometry school? Your 'wait and see' doesn't show much confidence. Your science GPA isn't asked for in the application. If you did well in your pre-reqs you will be fine. What was your overall and science GPA. If both are below 3.0 you should be concerned. However, if you hit the OAT out of the park that will compensate to an extent for a bad GPA.

Submit your apps, take the OAT, if the schools want you to they will tell you to take it again.

 

[DawgOD]

Go ahead and apply first... no sense in waiting. I would really urge you to take it in August too.. is there a reason you picked September?

 

[imemily]

Beware of the advice you get from posters here. None of these posters are actually admissions people. Somehow, there is this weird saying to apply early that is popular here for some obscure reason.

IMO, the schools want you to apply early for their own reasons that would benefit them. It could be monetary, but I am not too sure.

If your GPA is low, apply later on in the cycle. If you apply too soon, they may reject you. At least with the OAT, you have a complete app, that looks much stronger than just the GPA.

 

[Mewcakes]

Beware of the advice you get from posters here. None of these posters are actually admissions people. Somehow, there is this weird saying to apply early that is popular here for some obscure reason.

IMO, the schools want you to apply early for their own reasons that would benefit them. It could be monetary, but I am not too sure.

If your GPA is low, apply later on in the cycle. If you apply too soon, they may reject you. At least with the OAT, you have a complete app, that looks much stronger than just the GPA.

I agree with the "apply later" sentiment. If you are a weak applicant, the schools will reject you more quickly in the beginning of the app cycle because they know they have 'plenty of other good applicants coming'. But if you apply later, the schools are really looking to fill their seats by this time and will be more generous in their tolerances for OAT/GPA/etc.

I've seen a few people get in using method, but you have to be honest with yourself too. Can you handle optometry school? If you have a very low GPA, is it possible that it is truly representative of your abilities? Because I've also seen at least one of those persons (who got in late in the cycle) get dismissed/leave before the end of their first year because they weren't cut out for it.

 

[thecgrblue]

Beware of the advice you get from posters here. None of these posters are actually admissions people. Somehow, there is this weird saying to apply early that is popular here for some obscure reason.

IMO, the schools want you to apply early for their own reasons that would benefit them. It could be monetary, but I am not too sure.

If your GPA is low, apply later on in the cycle. If you apply too soon, they may reject you. At least with the OAT, you have a complete app, that looks much stronger than just the GPA.

I had to read this post 3 times b/c I thought it was a joke. Why don't you go through an application cycle and then your advice may be slightly credible. WORST advice ever.

Apply early (if possible), if your scores at satisfactory you will be told to re-take the OAT. Other schools will not process your application until your OAT scores are received since one comes through OptomCAS and the other through the OAT administrators.

OAT and GPA get you an interview. Having a soul and an ounce of personality gets you accepted.
From the Admissions Director of Pacific Univ.
So this begs the question- how does the rolling admissions process impact when you should apply? Basically, it means that in general, the earlier you apply, the better. Why is this the case? Well, imagine you attend the first Interview Day. At that time, we will still have 90 seats left in the incoming class, so if we like all the applicants that interview that day with you, we could, in theory, admit you all. Now let's imagine you are at the second-to-last Interview Day, and there are only maybe 6 seats left in the class. Imagine the admissions committee wanted to admit all the applicants at your interview day- but we can't, right? Because there are only 6 seats left. So instead, we pick the strongest, most competitive 6 applicants for those remaining seats. So it is more competitive at the end than at the beginning, because towards the end, we are limited in how many students we can admit.

http://pacificuoptometry.blogspot.com/2011/03/clarification-rolling-admissions.html

 

[imemily]

I had to read this post 3 times b/c I thought it was a joke. Why don't you go through an application cycle and then your advice may be slightly credible. WORST advice ever.

Apply early (if possible), if your scores at satisfactory you will be told to re-take the OAT. Other schools will not process your application until your OAT scores are received since one comes through OptomCAS and the other through the OAT administrators.

OAT and GPA get you an interview. Having a soul and an ounce of personality gets you accepted.
From the Admissions Director of Pacific Univ.
So this begs the question- how does the rolling admissions process impact when you should apply? Basically, it means that in general, the earlier you apply, the better. Why is this the case? Well, imagine you attend the first Interview Day. At that time, we will still have 90 seats left in the incoming class, so if we like all the applicants that interview that day with you, we could, in theory, admit you all. Now let's imagine you are at the second-to-last Interview Day, and there are only maybe 6 seats left in the class. Imagine the admissions committee wanted to admit all the applicants at your interview day- but we can't, right? Because there are only 6 seats left. So instead, we pick the strongest, most competitive 6 applicants for those remaining seats. So it is more competitive at the end than at the beginning, because towards the end, we are limited in how many students we can admit.

http://pacificuoptometry.blogspot.com/2011/03/clarification-rolling-admissions.html

Do you honestly believe going through the cycle makes your opinion credible?

...lol.

 

[DawgOD]

the reason why I say apply early is because Optomcas is SLOWWW... It takes far too long IMO for Optomcas to send your application to schools.

If there is no OAT attached to the application, schools will just ask you to fax over your score report as soon as you get it, regardless of Optomcas. From there, then they will decide based on your scores whether or not they will grant you an interview.

The best thing to do to keep your application from being rejected is communication with admissions to the schools you apply too.. Some schools WILL reject your app if your GPA/OAT is considered noncompetitive. Some will wait to see if there is improvement.

 

[nicmc]

Do you honestly believe going through the cycle makes your opinion credible?

...lol.

It's not his opinion. I interviewed at 4 other schools and have hosted multiple reps from other schools at our pre-optometry club at my university. And guess what? They all say the same thing- APPLY EARLY. Also, going through the admissions cycle does give him/her more credibility than someone who doesn't. The admissions committees made several such comments on interview day. I agree with him/her, your earlier post- worst advice ever.

 

[banoo]

My overall is a 3.5 however I was not a science major, I have all the pre reqs done though and ive taken a few more science classes my science GPA is about a 3.0, I was thinking to apply and send my application my letters of recommendation, personal statement, and transcripts and everything then submit my OAT score, but the doctor I work for said that if your science GPA is not the greatest, and you have not takent he OAT yet, doesn't look too good for the application and they might just reject it?

 

[SIUE optkid]

I don't see them outright rejecting a 3.5 overall gpa. A 3.0 science isn't great but really its not too bad. I would submit your application as soon as you get stuff organized. Rolling admission means it is advantageous to apply early. All four schools I interviewed said that. Your grades should be fine to get you interviews. Do your best on the OAT though. 330+ makes students stand out. (http://www.umsl.edu/~optomety/programs/Admissions/OAT.html)

 

[thecgrblue]

My overall is a 3.5 however I was not a science major, I have all the pre reqs done though and ive taken a few more science classes my science GPA is about a 3.0, I was thinking to apply and send my application my letters of recommendation, personal statement, and transcripts and everything then submit my OAT score, but the doctor I work for said that if your science GPA is not the greatest, and you have not takent he OAT yet, doesn't look too good for the application and they might just reject it?

You are in a good spot, don't worry. As was said, just don't screw up the OAT and you'll be on the road to Opt School next year...good luck.

 

[thecgrblue]

Do you honestly believe going through the cycle makes your opinion credible?

...lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rTJtVyQhN0

 

[banoo]

thanks for your response guys. I have been working in an Optometrist's office for the past couple years, do you guys think that working in the field makes my application look stronger?