Thoughts on my chances

[belugawhale99]

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Hey guys,

This is my first post on the forum. I am studying at a canadian university with GPA of 2.91 and science GPA of 3.00. It has been such a sucky GPA that I didn't joke myself about even considering optometry. Part of me still thinks I should just give up. But I have worked really hard and even though it doesn't show up on my grades, I still want to atleast apply. I have over 300 hours of extracurriculars in the student training, research and other hours. I am hoping to start shadowing an optometrist in January. I still have a few courses to get through and will hopefully bump up my GPA. I am hoping to do the OAT by next summer. Please let me know how I should approach my application and what you think my chances are. I would really appreciate it.

 

[Meeehai]

Do exactly what you said and apply early. You'll get in with a high test score.

 

[catsomgcats]

Study super hard for your OAT!!!!!!!!! Get a really high mark on that and it will balance out your gpa! A lot of schools in the states look for "well rounded" individuals so it's not just about the grades. You have all your extracurriculars so that helps your application a lot! I think you have a chance, I've seen people with lower GPA get in.

 

[belugawhale99]

Thanks guys.

 

[belugawhale99]

Hey @catsomgcats, would you recommend studying for OAT using Kaplan or OAT destroyer? I am reading mixed reviews for both. Thanks

 

[catsomgcats]

Okay so the first time I took my OAT, i used: Chad's videos, Kaplan (practice tests) and OAT Achiever practice test.
I got 350TS/AA

I want to retake it because I'm trying to go to waterloo and you need a higher OAT score than 350 to get accepted. This time I'm reviewing the notes I took from Chad's and using the OAT destroyer as practice. I'll use Kaplan practice tests as well because there are some free ones. I've read a lot of good things about the destroyer and that it prepares you really well and a lot of people with the destroyer got some high marks.

I didn't do the Kaplan course.

 

[Sabrinalovesnature]

What University are you at ? I am in a similar boat, except my GPA is around 3.2 and I am considering switching to an easier major in order to get a higher Gpa and just take my prerequisites alongside easier courses. I'm going to apply in the states because there is only one Canadian University for optometry (that is English speaking) and apparently the schooling in the states for optometry is superior anyways.

 

[belugawhale99]

Thanks @catsomgcats. And I am at Simon Fraser @Sabrinalovesnature. Where are you studying? I want to end doing research through optometry so I am hoping to get into school with good research oppurtunities as well

 

[Sabrinalovesnature]

@belugawhale99 that awesome, do you like Simon Fraser? I am at University of Lethbridge, but am from BC. That makes a lot of sense. Will you apply to the states?

 

[belugawhale99]

@Sabrinalovesnature SFU has its ups and downs. It has a 4.33 scale so when I submit my grades, they show up lower than they actually are and it doesn't show %, just letter. There is a different grade scale across all faculties so when I am required to take classes from other faculties, its a gamble really. UBC has a lot of its equivalent courses joined (ie. ORGO 1+2 are one course.) whereas SFU has two. Not sure if that applies everywhere.

 

[catsomgcats]

I'm at UBC 🙂 love it !

 

[belugawhale99]

@catsomgcats are you graduating soon?

 

[20twenty]

Thanks @catsomgcats. And I am at Simon Fraser @Sabrinalovesnature. Where are you studying? I want to end doing research through optometry so I am hoping to get into school with good research oppurtunities as well

I'm from SFU too! I applied with a 2.98 GPA/330 OAT and got accepted at 4 out of the 5 schools I interviewed at. I applied at 10 schools because I didn't think I'd get accepted anywhere and was offered interviews from 9 out of the 10 schools! I haven't been officially rejected from any school. Study hard and do really well on the OAT. Start your essays early and apply as early as possible too! You can apply to schools before writing your OAT, and I strongly encourage that. Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any questions!

 

[torontopharm]

.

 

[catsomgcats]

@catsomgcats are you graduating soon?

I graduate in 2017

 

[Sabrinalovesnature]

@torontopharm whered you hear this ? haha that'd be rad. I have like a 3.2 right now which will hopefully soon be higher though.

 

[torontopharm]

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