Took my OAT 2DAY.

[Idoctorsomeday]

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Hello My name is Jack,


I took my OAT today and I did not do soo well!! I only had about an month and half to study and I used the DAT BOOTCAMP exams and CHADS VIDEOS mainly. I also used the Kaplan MCAT lesson book and MCAT EXAM crackers for ORGO and GEN CHEM.

Academic Average: 290 👎

Quantitative Reasoning: 320 - I ran out of time on many of the questions. 👎

Reading Comprehension: 270 - I thought I did really well but my score came out very low. =/ 👎

Physics: 280 - I knew I was not too confident in physics but I did receive what I thought I would. Ran out of time again. 👎

Biology: 270 - I did not really have a chance to study for it. 👎

General Chemistry: 310 - I felt that this section was a little straight forward and i over thought many questions and probably second guessed myself. 👎

Organic Chemistry: 290 - I thought I did better in the organic than in general chem but the scores came back not in my favor. 👎

Total Science: 290 👎


MY GPA is also below average and ALSO applying WITHOUT a Bachelors.

Overall GPA: 2.73 👎
Science GPA: 3.0 👎

I only studied for about a month or so. I don't if I should even both applying now =/. I am planing to take the OAT again in january. Im going to start studying and hopefully I will get a good score next time.


These are the Schools Im an thinking of applying to. Do I even a have a slight chance of at any schools?!!

Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry
NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry
Illinois College of Optometry
Indiana University School of Optometry
New England College of Optometry
Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry
Pacific University College of Optometry
Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University
Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry
Southern College of Optometry
University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry


My other aspects of my application is good. over 250+ hours of OD shadowing and 500+ Volunteering service.

I am just worried if I even have a chance in applying to schools and maybe even going to an interview?

Please if you have any suggestions or advice, Pleasee

Thank You! =)

 

[jwilso88]

http://www.opted.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Profile_of_the_Entering_Class_2012.pdf
This link is pretty helpful in narrowing down choices
Hope thats somewhat helpful

 

[reesespieces]

MY GPA is also below average and ALSO applying WITHOUT a Bachelors.

Overall GPA: 2.73 👎
Science GPA: 3.0 👎

I believe most schools want you to be above average in all departments if you are applying without a bachelors.

Why don't you just wait til you finish your bachelors and give yourself time to boost up your GPA and OAT scores? You will have a significantly better chance if you do so.

 

[Idoctorsomeday]

http://www.opted.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Profile_of_the_Entering_Class_2012.pdf
This link is pretty helpful in narrowing down choices, I wouldn't apply to Western after I submitted my supplemental they put my app on hold for not having a 300 in each section of the OAT.
Hope thats somewhat helpful

Thanks for the link! =) It seems like i still don't fall into any of them. lol

 

[Idoctorsomeday]

I believe most schools want you to be above average in all departments if you are applying without a bachelors.

Why don't you just wait til you finish your bachelors and give yourself time to boost up your GPA and OAT scores? You will have a significantly better chance if you do so.

Yes I have thought about finishing my bachelors and then applying but if I feel like I would be wasting my time if could get in sooner. I understand that beggars cant be choosers and can't always have their ways, but I just wanted to see if i still had a chance. I would most likely end up doing that anyways

BUT, I am going to try and keep trying till I get into a school someday. As my screen name says, I will be an Idoctorsomeday =P

Are there any new schools that will take students with average or below average stats into their first year?

Thanks for you reply. =)

 

[reesespieces]

Yes I have thought about finishing my bachelors and then applying but if I feel like I would be wasting my time if could get in sooner. I understand that beggars cant be choosers and can't always have their ways, but I just wanted to see if i still had a chance. I would most likely end up doing that anyways

BUT, I am going to try and keep trying till I get into a school someday. As my screen name says, I will be an Idoctorsomeday =P

Are there any new schools that will take students with average or below average stats into their first year?

Thanks for you reply. =)

Don't rush college. Instead of worrying about applying to optometry school, focus on your studies. Assuming you are a traditional student, if you finish your bachelors before going to optometry school, at most you'll be 26 when you get out of optometry school. What year are you now? Junior? If so, study hard this year to get your GPA up, and study hard over next summer for the OATs and take them in August before you start school again. You are just going to waste your money by applying when you aren't competitive.

 

[02201992]

I agree with what reesespieces said. Here is a link from Indiana: http://www.opt.indiana.edu/stuadmin/EarlyAdmit.aspx it says "To qualify without a bachelors and apply as an ‘early admission' candidate, you must have a cumulative GPA of 3.6 and a score of 320 on the Quantitative Reasoning and Total Science with no other category below 300 on the Optometry Admission Test (OAT)."

Here is another link from ICO: http://www.ico.edu/apply-to-ico/entering-class-profile You can see only 7 students (4%) in their entering class didn't have a degree

 

[Loptometriste]

I agree with others -- don't apply to all of those schools. Some will just be a big waste of money for your current stats.

In my opinion, if you think you can cut it and succeed in a doctorate program next year, apply. You don't need to have a bachelor's degree to feel good as a person. Plus, the end goal of the doctorate is the same whether you have one or not.

You have already paid the cost of the OAT. Really what is the cost of OptomCAS and supplementals now in the grand scheme of things? Would you rather pay a full year of tuition to obtain your bachelors if a school did accept you this year? In the future, you would have less debt to pay and more working years.

I am not promising you will get in. Your stats are a bit below average and the fact that you do not have a bachelor's degree won't help any, but all you need is one school to say yes. It wouldn't hurt before you do go through the work of filling out the application and obtaining LOR's that you call some of the schools you are interested to see how they advise you in this situation. Afterall, if they tell you to wait a year, then you better wait.

If you are not accepted, then bump up your GPA, retake the OAT, and obtain your bachelor's.

By the way, I know Opted.org used to have a chart comparing all the schools requirements for admission. It had all the courses they needed and whether a bachelor's degree was required. Search their website for it when it is back up and running.