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still_confused said:are you not applying to any other school in the US? while there is nothing wrong with IUAPR, you should consider applying to other US schools. I am sure there will be schools that will consider your excellent extracirriculars. If you score well on your OAT in jan, you shouldnt rule out applying to an US school!i agree with this, you should def. apply to other US schools before you set your heart on IUAPR (unless you really want to go there). I think as long as your OAT score improves, you've still got a good shot at a US school.
best of luck 👍
Bhartiben Patel said:Thank you so much for all your support! It meant so much to me, but unfortunately I was rejected from NECO. NECO was my first choice because I was going to be able to commute from home and I knew the area, faculty, and clinics we would be dealing with.
So, when I talked to one of my good friends who was on the Admission Committee he commented that when discussing my file:
1. They totally overlooked my 3.5 in my Masters. It didn't matter.
2. They did not take any credit that I was in so many extracurricular activites while in my undergrad - 2.8 speaks for itself.
3. They recommend I retake all the pre-req to apply to the college.
If you remember or not, these were my Stats
MS Gerontology 3.5
BS Biology minor in Psych 2.8
3 Recommendations from Adjunct Faculty Members (2 optoms and 1 Ophth)
1 Full year of pt care experience with being able to perform the following:
- Baseline glaucoma tests (Pachymetry, OCT, Tonography, Visual Fields).
- Prepare patients for Laser procedures (ALT, ALI, SLT)
- Prepare patients for minor procedures such as removal of a cyst or papilloma.
- Pre-operation Pterygium tests (Topography, External photos).
- Pre-operation Cataract test (EBM).
- Complete Autorefract and Refract testing.
- Take measurement of ocular pressure.
- Administer drops for Day 1 post cataract surgery patients.
- Prepare patients for Cataract surgery with instructions on how to take their pre-operation medication.
- Schedule cataract, pterygium, and glaucoma filter surgery.
- Bill for all in office and surgical procedures.
During my undergraduate years I also served as:
- A Laboratory Assistant at Brigham Womens Hospital preparing Molasses Plates and Agar Plates for Post-Doctoral Fellows and supervising over Drosophila Stocks.
- A Hospice Volunteer visiting to Hospice patients and was individually commended for my work by the Supervisors at Health Care Dimensions.
- A Peer Advisor to Freshman at Emmanuel College.
- A Connections Leader hosting Japanese women studying English as a second language in the United States.
- A Girl Scouts Leader in which I initiated and executed an after school program in Math and Science for the middle school aged girls; funded by the Girl Scouts of America.
- A tutor to inner city, middle school aged girls at an after-school program in Roxbury, MA.
- A Student Coordinator in which I supervised the other tutors in the after-school program.
- An Orientation Leader during Freshman move-in and a Resident Assistant at Emmanuel College.
260 on OAT - going to retake it in Jan.
I am really upset because NECO asked me for an Interview so I thought my GPA was ok since I was a Masters student. I am upset that I won't be classmates with all the wonderful students I met at the Interview at NECO and those that I have networked with here on SDN.
🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁
I decided to put all my efforts into IUAPR. I'll see a lot of ocular disease, learn to speak spanish, and train in some procedures that Optoms can't do here in the States.
I'll make the most of it. Thank you for all your help - everyone - students - doctors - friends - family.
Good Luck to all - you'll make great Optoms everyone and esp here in the Boston Community🙂
Opii said:About weedout schools. What makes you think IAUPR isn't one? Problem is if you get weeded out of this one there is no place to go so the solution is to keep you around ... oh say 8 years. I've heard of these people. Once they are side tracked it's all a mess.
gsinccom said:warrior, which are the right schools in your opinion?
ucbsowarrior said:Very interesting info... unfortunately i cannot add to this, as i have little info on their program.
Bhartiben Patel said:One Optometrist that graduated from there (whose on the Admissions Committee at NECO) encouraged me to go there to pursue my interest in Ocular Disease and Post-operation care. The one thing that makes the Optometrist that I know - who graduated from IUAPR - is that he can do some post-operation care techniques that many Optoms don't know how to do here in the US - that he learned in PR. That skill is going to be marketable in the next 10 years when baby boomers are going to be aging and developing cataracts ...
Bhartiben Patel said:There are some really interesting views on this page I didn't consider!
First and foremost - thanks Ariel for your encouraging post! My brother (who is applying to DO schools) and I read it together and we both agreed that we thought your encouragement sooooooooo was refreshing 🙂 🙂 🙂
So... its all about numbers. My brother is applying to DO school and doesn't have much patient care experience but did well on his MCAT and is graduating with a strong BS background from Boston University. I always argue with him that he knows nothing about the field so he won't know what to look for in a program - but he says its not importantand he'll figure it out once he gets in - its all about grades right now. Hes a senior at BU
IUAPR - Is there dorms? I was going to stay in apt which would be cheaper - I think. One Optometrist that graduated from there (whose on the Admissions Committee at NECO) encouraged me to go there to pursue my interest in Ocular Disease and Post-operation care. The one thing that makes the Optometrist that I know - who graduated from IUAPR - is that he can do some post-operation care techniques that many Optoms don't know how to do here in the US - that he learned in PR. That skill is going to be marketable in the next 10 years when baby boomers are going to be aging and developing cataracts and the Opthalmologists being busy in surgery - they will be looking for Optoms to do the follow up care. Also since I have a year's worth of full-time experience working at Boston Medical - I know what I need to know to be a marketable Optometrist in the US. Thats whats going to make me different than other students there - I know what I need from the program to be good.
Regarding my performance - ahhh - Its weird - I know I am smart girl. I have never failed any class - even though all semester it looks like it - I do ace finals and pass my classes. I know I won't be weeded out. I just have to fix few things - treat my hypothyroidism that makes me very fatigued...
When I put my mind to it - I can do it. I really can. Its weird.
I am suprised no one considering IUAPR 🙁 I did apply to SCO, NOVA, SUNY -but haven't heard from them.
I am retaking my OAT with new light 🙂
Thanks guys for your comments - very interesting 🙂
ucbsowarrior said:... as someone on an admissions committee, it's unprofessional to advise in this area.
Bhartiben Patel said:There are some really interesting views on this page I didn't consider!
First and foremost - thanks Ariel for your encouraging post! My brother (who is applying to DO schools) and I read it together and we both agreed that we thought your encouragement sooooooooo was refreshing 🙂 🙂 🙂
So... its all about numbers. My brother is applying to DO school and doesn't have much patient care experience but did well on his MCAT and is graduating with a strong BS background from Boston University. I always argue with him that he knows nothing about the field so he won't know what to look for in a program - but he says its not importantand he'll figure it out once he gets in - its all about grades right now. Hes a senior at BU
IUAPR - Is there dorms? I was going to stay in apt which would be cheaper - I think. One Optometrist that graduated from there (whose on the Admissions Committee at NECO) encouraged me to go there to pursue my interest in Ocular Disease and Post-operation care. The one thing that makes the Optometrist that I know - who graduated from IUAPR - is that he can do some post-operation care techniques that many Optoms don't know how to do here in the US - that he learned in PR. That skill is going to be marketable in the next 10 years when baby boomers are going to be aging and developing cataracts and the Opthalmologists being busy in surgery - they will be looking for Optoms to do the follow up care. Also since I have a year's worth of full-time experience working at Boston Medical - I know what I need to know to be a marketable Optometrist in the US. Thats whats going to make me different than other students there - I know what I need from the program to be good.
Regarding my performance - ahhh - Its weird - I know I am smart girl. I have never failed any class - even though all semester it looks like it - I do ace finals and pass my classes. I know I won't be weeded out. I just have to fix few things - treat my hypothyroidism that makes me very fatigued...
When I put my mind to it - I can do it. I really can. Its weird.
I am suprised no one considering IUAPR 🙁 I did apply to SCO, NOVA, SUNY -but haven't heard from them.
I am retaking my OAT with new light 🙂
Thanks guys for your comments - very interesting 🙂
Opii said:I was looking in the internet, but now I cannot find it. There was a study done on correlations between the OAT scores and NBEO scores. And there was a direct correlation between the two... the higher the scores on the OAT, the higher the scores on the NBEO.
Rusunn said:
Donethat said:Post Op Cataract Sx Care - doesn't have a magical technique only taught in IAUPR. It is straight forward and simple. This OD who is recruiting from the NECO interviews for IAUPR sounds fishy. Good Luck
Bhartiben Patel said:I just wanted to clear up something before a rumor is generated:
The OD I know who just happens to be on the Admissions Commitee at NECO, I met him and throught working in the Boston Hospitals wayyyy before I applied to NECO. What advice he gives me, he gives me not representing NECO, but he advises me as a concerned collegue.
When I was first applying to Optoms school, he told me to apply to NECO, Illinois, and SUNY. He did not want me to go to IAUPR.
After I got rejected to NECO, I called him to see why and what I should do. I suggested IUAPR and he said he would help me if thats what I wanted and he gave me some points to why it may be good for me. But after reading these threads - last night applied to PCO online. Its actually 20 miles from my uncle's house...so I have somewhere to stay 🙂.
I just didn't want rumors that a NECO professor was recruiting peeps for IUAPR. For those who are going to NECO, you will meet him in your 3rd year. Hes a nice guy, lives about 20 minutes from my house. I really like that he wants to help me out. We talk about the field and he educates me about the current concerns in Optometry. I love it and I am lucky to have him as a colleague!
ucbsowarrior said:maybe some people should consider going to england for optometry school![]()
cpw said:ditto... there is no "magic" training for cataract post-op. It's fairly simple.
I don't know anything about IAUPR, but the above statement has been made over and over again without any evidence. Hispanics may be the largest minority group in the US, but that does not mean that a large percentage of them do not speak English. On top of that, the majority of Hispanics in this country can be found in states like California and New York where I can assure you there is no shortage of OD's.Opto2005 said:The hispanics are the largest minority group in the US and account for more than half the nation annual population growth.....and that gives you a hint...bilingual Dr. are in great demand, I'm telling you...
Ben Chudner said:I don't know anything about IAUPR, but the above statement has been made over and over again without any evidence. Hispanics may be the largest minority group in the US, but that does not mean that a large percentage of them do not speak English. On top of that, the majority of Hispanics in this country can be found in states like California and New York where I can assure you there is no shortage of OD's.
Yes, California, NY, Florida, Texas, Chicago, Boston........all over the states....I,m not telling that they didnt speak english, in fact you can perform a visual exam in english, but you really understand the patient complains and councel the patient in his fluent language? the mayority of the doctors are not able to do that, they feel more comfortable with a Dr. that speaks spanish. But thats not my point....the thing here is that for long time some people are denigrating the IAUPR without a reason. If someone want to go there, leave it alone, is no better here or there, will be better doctor or not.....
What statement was made without evidence?
Bilingual docs are in great demand.Opto2005 said:What statement was made without evidence?
Ben Chudner said:Bilingual docs are in great demand.
prod said:I agree with Opto2005... Ben, you should be very well aware that Hispanics are a significant portion of the population in the USA, and are projected to increase significantly. I am also a graduatefrom IAUPR and also completed a residency at SUNY. I scored the highest in my oral exams to enter the residency, over students from all the other schools and colleges.
Just for the record, I have never said anything bad about your school. As I stated, I don't know anything about the school and that is why I have never commented. I do, however, know quite a bit about the job market. What I think should not be tolerated in this forum is unsubstantiated claims that going to IAUPR will make you more likely to get a job because bilingual docs are more in demand. I think the future OD students should be given truthful statements in regards to where they should go to school.I also scored very high in the NBEO's, and so did all my classmates that had the courage to take them and studied hard to pass. Obviously there are those that took them without studying, there were those that did not put the effort to pass.
Opto2005 is right... leave IAUPR alone if you have no clue regarding the school and if you cannot be objective. There are bad things said of EVERY school... and I know. Everyone has some gripe or dirty little story about their school, but I think it is grossly unprofessional to talk crap about other schools without really knowing what is going on. I think this line of critique should not be tolerated in a forum of future health care providers and current doctors.
With all due respect, corporate is aggressively recruiting from all schools, not just IAUPR. They may add that being bilingual is a plus when talking to IAUPR, but that is because they will use any means possible to get new grads to enter that mode of practice. Private practitioners also recruit from all schools.I can also give faith of the aggressive recruitment by private practitioners and coorporations for bilingual - English/Spanish - OD's. Not only from traditional Hispanic centers, but from all over the States.
Donethat said:Stop fooling yourselves, you know darn well it is not honest to try to convince someone with an OAT of 260 to go to optometry school, especially a school who is well known to have a weak Basic Science program. Those few who did pass was because they had over a 300 on their OAT and no thanks to the most unorganized anatomy class in HISTORY!!! which happens to be 45% of the NBEO I. An honest school wouldn't accept anyone below a 280 even if they had seats open. Who cares if you become an expert at pterygium gradings if you can't pass the boards. And how can you let students concentrate on studying for the boards when there are perverted professors constantly grabbing your ass and nasty secretaries inventing nasty senarios about you... you know darn well a student's worst enemy is that school itself.
It astonishes me to see those who were not in favor of having mainland americans attend that school suddenly become so assertive in recreuting them today. Why? Is there a sudden immediate interest in getting even more money? Is your deadline really in 2007 rather than 2113... you know what I mean. ... SO STOP LYING TO PEOPLE!!!
When employees of that pathetic school don't treat students with a minimum of human respect you can't blame these threads for existing. This is the only salvation poor naive students have when the accreditors themselves have some pathetic alterior motive... ie dumping their own trash when they don't want them anymore... aka weedout schools.
And don't you think it is a nasty coincidence that one of the accreditors is now nominated by the ASCO's current president (IAUPR's dean) for ASCO's president elect position? Ahhh nasty politics at their best.
Another pathetic coincidence is the same accreditors going to check out the "new school's progress" right in your deadline 2007. Just in time to cover up again its lack of EXISTANCE.
And stop bragging about your pathetic "accomplishments with your residency" you know darn well you didn't pass the boards when they took you in ... your miraculous "scores" came a couple of years later. So get over yourself. .... Get off your "Mania Phase" it's pathetically long.
And if nobody else can be honest in this pathetic thread I will. I came out of that school spitting out a half assed spanish exam, long ways from calling myself fluent so how dare you claim to make people into bilinguals. THAT'S A LIE.
Like the people upstairs say all the time .... "GROW UP" .... and this is a quote from your coworkers.
drsax said:Hello Bhartiben! I can really feel for your situation. I am in currently applying to Optometry schools for the second time around. But, I have to agree with Donethat, with what he said about OAT scores. I have come to realize through my own experiences with applying, no matter how much experience you have, if you do not have at least a 280 on the OAT, you can forget it. Your grades from school, and other activities sound very impressive, but won't smooth over the low oat score. So just try to retake the OAT. Now that they offer it only on computer now anyway, you can reschedule to take it before the application deadlines. So best of luck to you!!
prettygreeneyes said:Donethat... can you provide any evidence to back up your allegations? I get the impression that you are trying to soothe your bitter soul as opposed to doing a service to those on this forum and provide them with constructive comments about this school.
prod said:I recall some time back some false allegations were posted here regarding IAUPR. By any chance are you maddi again?
prod said:No point arguing with liars and bitter people.
My name is First: One Middle: Of Last: Many ...![]()
Right, better quite before I tell them about more dirty secrets.![]()
And look who is calling the kettle black.
ariel winter said:best of luck to you as well drsax! i hope it all works out for you! where are you applying? 🙂
drsax said:Thanks Arial! I am applying to PCO and ICO. Both are really good schools when it comes academics and especially keeping me updated throughtout the admissions process. Right now, I am taking their advice and taking some extra classes to help my application. I even spent the entire summer volunteering at the eye clinic at our local VA hospital.
With my finals this week, I pretty sure that I am showing improvements that they are looking for. I took the oat again and improved my score...lets just say my overall jumped 20 points, so things are looking pretty good for my chances this time around. That is why I can definately understand Bhartiben. The schools want to make sure you can handle the academic load. This time around, I can truly say that I have done everything I can possibly do to show them that even though I have average scores, I do have the love for the profession.