Waterloo Class of 2024

[giraffes53]

Hey everyone!!
I hadn't seen a thread for the class of 2024 yet so I figured I'd start one but if there is one and I missed it lmk and I cant take this one down!

If you feel comfortable and want to post your stats go ahead and/or we can use this to ask questions about about the application process!!

I hope everyone's OAT went well for those who took it this summer!!

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[CXJIN]

Hi!
Oh boy oh boy I wish I could one day say i'll be class of 2024, but its hard not to doubt yourself when your stats are just mediocre. Here it is
GPA: ~81%
OAT: TS 370, AA 360
I'm a licensed optician. Lots of experience in the field. Worked hand in hand with 4 optometrists. Some leadership roles in school. Lots of optometry related volunteering and not. Received scholarships and a few none academic awards.

Currently in 4th year undergrad. Screwed up my 2nd year thats why my GPA is low. Writing my CASPer Oct 17. Fingers crossed.

EDIT: SEPTEMBER 17!!! not October 17... my bad
EDIT: Apparently I made a mistake calculating my average, GPA: 85%

 

[dent20xx]

Hi guys! Thanks for creating the thread; I've read soo many of these in the past and they're all really helpful! Also, based on the Class of 2023 forum, this is a great way to keep track of the wait-list stuff.

GPA: 83%
OAT: TS 350, AA 340
Undergrad: 5th year in Biology Honours
Extra-circulars: Lab Member of a vision research lab, Honours Thesis on stereopsis with the same lab, a few academic and non-academic awards, volunteering with an on-campus environmental organization, tennis instructor (work at RCYC on the Toronto Islands), TPA Tennis training and Concussion training, Mt. Sinai Hospital Volunteer and ORBIS volunteer, Vice-President and Founding Member of The Pre-Optometry Club at my uni
Shadowing: +50hrs (also learned how to do all the slit lamp illumination techniques which was super cool! Took me forever to actually do diffuse illumination with the hand-held lens thing, but seeing the optic nerve made it worth it LOL)

CXJIN, I literally had the same issues! My 2nd year brought my GPA down so much. It was only in the end of my 3rd year where I discovered my vision research lab and I fell in love with vision science and optometry!
Your OAT scores are right on the average, and you've got great experience stuff and you fill out all the fields for the AIF! My friend from the pre-optom club got in for the class of 2023 and her stats were below average for GPA and OAT, so I hope that if you're passion for the field comes through, you'll have a shot

 

[CXJIN]

Hi guys! Thanks for creating the thread; I've read soo many of these in the past and they're all really helpful! Also, based on the Class of 2023 forum, this is a great way to keep track of the wait-list stuff.

GPA: 83%
OAT: TS 350, AA 340
Undergrad: 5th year in Biology Honours
Extra-circulars: Lab Member of a vision research lab, Honours Thesis on stereopsis with the same lab, a few academic and non-academic awards, volunteering with an on-campus environmental organization, tennis instructor (work at RCYC on the Toronto Islands), TPA Tennis training and Concussion training, Mt. Sinai Hospital Volunteer and ORBIS volunteer, Vice-President and Founding Member of The Pre-Optometry Club at my uni
Shadowing: +50hrs (also learned how to do all the slit lamp illumination techniques which was super cool! Took me forever to actually do diffuse illumination with the hand-held lens thing, but seeing the optic nerve made it worth it LOL)

CXJIN, I literally had the same issues! My 2nd year brought my GPA down so much. It was only in the end of my 3rd year where I discovered my vision research lab and I fell in love with vision science and optometry!
Your OAT scores are right on the average, and you've got great experience stuff and you fill out all the fields for the AIF! My friend from the pre-optom club got in for the class of 2023 and her stats were below average for GPA and OAT, so I hope that if you're passion for the field comes through, you'll have a shot

Thanks so much for your feedback. I've heard about what seems like miracle stories as well and its always comforting. Your extracurricular and shadowing experiences are impressive. The research you do shows interest in the subject, and amount of hours you shadowed shows commitment. Any chance you are at York?

 

[FutureOptStudent]

Hey thanks for the thread! Ive been trying to find one for this years application cycle!

GPA: 85%
OAT: TS 360 AA 360
Undergrad: 5th year Biomedical Science
Extra curricular: Optometric assistant at two offices, Kumon Reading and Math Instructor, Volunteered at SickKids and Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Science Student Ambassador at my uni, worked at CNE

Had a question about AIF part of the application, there is no section for statement of interest?

 

[dent20xx]

Thanks so much for your feedback. I've heard about what seems like miracle stories as well and its always comforting. Your extracurricular and shadowing experiences are impressive. The research you do shows interest in the subject, and amount of hours you shadowed shows commitment. Any chance you are at York?

Aw no problem! These forums always helped me figure out admission stuff, so I'm glad to give back! I do go to YorkU actually, do you?

 

[dent20xx]

Hey thanks for the thread! Ive been trying to find one for this years application cycle!

GPA: 85%
OAT: TS 360 AA 360
Undergrad: 5th year Biomedical Science
Extra curricular: Optometric assistant at two offices, Kumon Reading and Math Instructor, Volunteered at SickKids and Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Science Student Ambassador at my uni, worked at CNE

Had a question about AIF part of the application, there is no section for statement of interest?

Hey! Great stats and portfolio! I had the same question because I saw it said something like that on the Waterloo AIF Help page. I messaged my friend that got into the 2023 Class- she said that she doesn't remember writing out a personal statement, she just submitted the AIF.

 

[FutureOptStudent]

Hey! Great stats and portfolio! I had the same question because I saw it said something like that on the Waterloo AIF Help page. I messaged my friend that got into the 2023 Class- she said that she doesn't remember writing out a personal statement, she just submitted the AIF.

Alright thank you! I was wondering if maybe we can include it in the box for question 11 or is that for something else?

 

[dent20xx]

Alright thank you! I was wondering if maybe we can include it in the box for question 11 or is that for something else?

The Question 11 box is for any extra stuff, like explanations on some poor grades, or if you're program was interrupted (YorkU went on the longest uni strike in Canadian history LOL and for me, it affected which courses I could take and I had to do summer school courses because of it). The limit is 1500 characters, which isn't that much to describe anything other than what I mentioned before. So, it seems really likely that box is not meant for a "personal statement" section. Also, under "Question 11", it states that it's for further explanations to answering the questions above it. Hope that helps!

 

[FutureOptStudent]

The Question 11 box is for any extra stuff, like explanations on some poor grades, or if you're program was interrupted (YorkU went on the longest uni strike in Canadian history LOL and for me, it affected which courses I could take and I had to do summer school courses because of it). The limit is 1500 characters, which isn't that much to describe anything other than what I mentioned before. So, it seems really likely that box is not meant for a "personal statement" section. Also, under "Question 11", it states that it's for further explanations to answering the questions above it. Hope that helps!

That makes sense! Thank you for the clarification!

 

[CXJIN]

Aw no problem! These forums always helped me figure out admission stuff, so I'm glad to give back! I do go to YorkU actually, do you?

I do, I knew York had a vision research centre, and Fozia invited me to join the pre-optometry club on facebook, so I was thinking its too much of a coincidence lol

 

[giraffes53]

Hi!
Oh boy oh boy I wish I could one day say i'll be class of 2024, but its hard not to doubt yourself when your stats are just mediocre. Here it is
GPA: ~81
OAT: TS 370, AA 360
I'm a licensed optician. Lots of experience in the field. Worked hand in hand with 4 optometrists. Some leadership roles in school. Lots of optometry related volunteering and not. Received scholarships and a few none academic awards.

Currently in 4th year undergrad. Screwed up my 2nd year thats why my GPA is low. Writing my CASPer Oct 17. Fingers crossed.

I'm writing my CASPer October 17th too!! Are you doing any other prep than reviewing the format for it? I'm so nervous!

 

[FutureOptStudent]

I'm writing my CASPer October 17th too!! Are you doing any other prep than reviewing the format for it? I'm so nervous!

Im also writing it on that day and was wondering the same thing!

 

[CXJIN]

I'm writing my CASPer October 17th too!! Are you doing any other prep than reviewing the format for it? I'm so nervous!

Im also writing it on that day and was wondering the same thing!

if you go on the CASPer website and click on System Requirement Check, you will come across the official CASPer practice test. It is 90 mins long and it gives you a really good idea as to what you'll be expecting. They will ask personal experience questions as well, so I would try to prepare a few scenarios where you had bad encounters with someone and how you handled it and what you learned from it. Other than that, just keep in mind the following:

Identify the most pressing issue, consider best and worst scenario, make any decision that doesn't result in physical harm of anyone involved
Always snitch to your superiors
Never lie, conceal, steal, be judgemental, or confrontational
Always pick a private place when you have to confront someone

 

[giraffes53]

if you go on the CASPer website and click on System Requirement Check, you will come across the official CASPer practice test. It is 90 mins long and it gives you a really good idea as to what you'll be expecting. They will ask personal experience questions as well, so I would try to prepare a few scenarios where you had bad encounters with someone and how you handled it and what you learned from it. Other than that, just keep in mind the following:

Identify the most pressing issue, consider best and worst scenario, make any decision that doesn't result in physical harm of anyone involved
Always snitch to your superiors
Never lie, conceal, steal, be judgemental, or confrontational
Always pick a private place when you have to confront someone

That's definitely a great resource thank you!

 

[R.R4742]

Hi!
Oh boy oh boy I wish I could one day say i'll be class of 2024, but its hard not to doubt yourself when your stats are just mediocre. Here it is
GPA: ~81
OAT: TS 370, AA 360
I'm a licensed optician. Lots of experience in the field. Worked hand in hand with 4 optometrists. Some leadership roles in school. Lots of optometry related volunteering and not. Received scholarships and a few none academic awards.

Currently in 4th year undergrad. Screwed up my 2nd year thats why my GPA is low. Writing my CASPer Oct 17. Fingers crossed.

Hey... what I see on the Casper website, Oct 10th is the last day available to write the CASPER for Waterloo Optometry. I wonder how are you writing it on Oct 17???

 

[sumyay]

Hi everyone,
I’m super nervous and just hoping I get in! Not sure if my stats are good enough though.
GPA: ~89%
OAT: 370 AA, 360 TS
Physics on my OAT kind of messed me up. Currently I’m working as an optometric assistant and I used to work as a cashier at a grocery store. I volunteer in the summers at my local hospital. I don’t have a ton of extracurriculars which is a little worrying because I’ve spent most of my time focusing on working. Hopefully it’s enough! Just wrote my CASPer test yesterday and I think it went well.

 

[giraffes53]

Hey... what I see on the Casper website, Oct 10th is the last day available to write the CASPER for Waterloo Optometry. I wonder how are you writing it on Oct 17???

oops I mixed the two dates of Sept. 17 and Oct. 10! I am writing October 10th!

 

[giraffes53]

does anyone know how to check if Waterloo has received your OAT scores?

 

[CXJIN]

Hey... what I see on the Casper website, Oct 10th is the last day available to write the CASPER for Waterloo Optometry. I wonder how are you writing it on Oct 17???

oops I mixed the two dates of Sept. 17 and Oct. 10! I am writing October 10th!

I wrote it on Sept 17. I noticed I made that mistake yesterday, but I felt like it was too late to correct it (lemme go change it now). I apologize for the confusion. But yes, I wrote it yesterday. It was a little rough. Typing speed wasn't the issue, its trying to consider all aspects of the scenario and give a well rounded answer that is challenging. I left maybe about half of the questions blank.

 

[CXJIN]

does anyone know how to check if Waterloo has received your OAT scores?

um, if you log into quest, and click on admissions, then click on documents under application, then click on the application tab at the top left, it should show your test score if they've received it

 

[R.R4742]

I wrote it on Sept 17. I noticed I made that mistake yesterday, but I felt like it was too late to correct it (lemme go change it now). I apologize for the confusion. But yes, I wrote it yesterday. It was a little rough. Typing speed wasn't the issue, its trying to consider all aspects of the scenario and give a well rounded answer that is challenging. I left maybe about half of the questions blank.

thanks for sharing your experience.
how did you prepare for the CASPER?? any source??

 

[CXJIN]

thanks for sharing your experience.
how did you prepare for the CASPER?? any source??

The official CASPer website offers a full 90 min practice test, under "CASPer System Requirement Check" . I also paid for a study package at BeMo. That wasn't too helpful. I would google sample questions and just practice with a timer

 

[R.R4742]

The official CASPer website offers a full 90 min practice test, under "CASPer System Requirement Check" . I also paid for a study package at BeMo. That wasn't too helpful. I would google sample questions and just practice with a timer

Thanksss

 

[dent20xx]

Hey guys! I have a question about the AIF Academic Records Section...
My university (YorkU) uses 3.0/4.0/6.0, so I have converted them to 0.5/0.75/1.0. But I have courses that are 2.0 credits and 8.0 credits :/
Does anyone know how to convert courses that have credit weights not listed on the Credit Weight conversions chart? I emailed the admissions office, but i'm not sure when they'll get back to me

 

[dent20xx]

Thanksss

I'd also suggest watching this video to help with the mindset you should use during the test and the types of questions to expect:
Good Luck!

 

[R.R4742]

I'd also suggest watching this video to help with the mindset you should use during the test and the types of questions to expect:
Good Luck!

Thanks Sasha

 

[beebexo]

Any of you guys also applying to the states for optometry as back up? I am very conflicted right now...

 

[OptoMra]

Hi everybody,
I'm applying for the UWaterloo as well and I want to take the Casper test on October 10th. When I want to register my exam it asks me to enter my Waterloo Student ID. How can I get that?
When I submitted my application through OUAC about 10 days ago, they sent me a confirmation email with OUAC reference number. Is this reference number the same as Waterloo Student ID?
I didn't receive any email from the University of Waterloo yet.

 

[OptoMra]

Any of you guys also applying to the states for optometry as back up? I am very conflicted right now...

Yes, I am applying for some schools in the US as well.

 

[FutureOptStudent]

Hi everybody,
I'm applying for the UWaterloo as well and I want to take the Casper test on October 10th. When I want to register my exam it asks me to enter my Waterloo Student ID. How can I get that?
When I submitted my application through OUAC about 10 days ago, they sent me a confirmation email with OUAC reference number. Is this reference number the same as Waterloo Student ID?
I didn't receive any email from the University of Waterloo yet.

You should receive an email from Waterloo soon and in that email they will give you a student ID number.

 

[FutureOptStudent]

Any of you guys also applying to the states for optometry as back up? I am very conflicted right now...

I am applying as well

 

[OptoMra]

You should receive an email from Waterloo soon and in that email they will give you a student ID number.

Oh thank you very much for your response. may I ask how many days after submitting the OUAC application, you received an email from the UWaterloo?

 

[FutureOptStudent]

It was about 3 weeks after I submitted the OUAC application.

 

[OptoMra]

It was about 3 weeks after I submitted the OUAC application.

Thank you FuterOptStudent. Hope I receive an email from them this week, so I can book my exam sooner.

 

[dent20xx]

Oh thank you very much for your response. may I ask how many days after submitting the OUAC application, you received an email from the UWaterloo?

They also have it on their website under "Apply Online"- i attached a pic of it! They say basically 3 weeks for your Waterloo ID #, but I got mine around 1 week later after I submitted my online application! Hopefully yours comes soon, good luck in your application process

 

[OptoMra]

They also have it on their website under "Apply Online"- i attached a pic of it! They say basically 3 weeks for your Waterloo ID #, but I got mine around 1 week later after I submitted my online application! Hopefully yours comes soon, good luck in your application process

Oh, thank you very much SashaYU. I just received an email from the UWaterloo (yeyyy)
And thanks for the attachment. Good luck to you too

 

[beebexo]

I am applying as well

do you think it would be too late to apply now to states?? I was going to just apply to waterloo but now that I see the stats seems like states might have to be the route I go instead.

 

[CXJIN]

do you think it would be too late to apply now to states?? I was going to just apply to waterloo but now that I see the stats seems like states might have to be the route I go instead.

I believe the US has a later deadline than Waterloo. You should be good for most US schools. But do check out their important dates

 

[FutureOptStudent]

do you think it would be too late to apply now to states?? I was going to just apply to waterloo but now that I see the stats seems like states might have to be the route I go instead.

No, the states are usually enrolling process and a lot of the schools deadlines are in March. I myself haven't submitted my application yet so don't worry you still have time.

 

[beebexo]

No, the states are usually enrolling process and a lot of the schools deadlines are in March. I myself haven't submitted my application yet so don't worry you still have time.

ohh ok ya...I wasn't sure if I was too late to apply since they have rolling admissions. Makes me feel a little better im not too late yet lol.. thanks

 

[beebexo]

GPA: ~88
OAT: TS 370, AA 360
Shadowed 2 Optometrist for a total of 12 hours.
Currently in 4th year undergrad Biomed.

ECs: Not too special- hospital and retirement home volunteering, few research jobs

 

[FutureOptStudent]

For anyone who has already written the casper test, does the 5 minutes start when you read the prompt or only when you answer the questions?

 

[CXJIN]

For anyone who has already written the casper test, does the 5 minutes start when you read the prompt or only when you answer the questions?

5 min start once the video finish and it takes you to the question page

 

[FutureOptStudent]

5 min start once the video finish and it takes you to the question page

Thank you!

 

[FutureOptStudent]

I did the casper practice test and one of the questions was about a friend who lost a lot of money at the casino and is now struggling to pay her bills. She turns to you for help and to borrow a few hundred dollars. The scenario asks what you would do in that situation. I wasn't sure on how to go about this question and was wondering what you guys would do?

 

[CXJIN]

I did the casper practice test and one of the questions was about a friend who lost a lot of money at the casino and is now struggling to pay her bills. She turns to you for help and to borrow a few hundred dollars. The scenario asks what you would do in that situation. I wasn't sure on how to go about this question and was wondering what you guys would do?

Before making assumptions about this potential gambling problem, I'd find out more information about her gambling habits. Is it a one time isolated incident or does she have an addiction? I'd have no problem lending money to my friend that made a bad judgement call and is making efforts to make up for her mistake. If I've noticed she has a gambling problem, I may want to assess the situation further such as how she is planning to get out of her debt, will she use the money for bills or to gamble? does she have a plausible plan to reduce her habits? is she seeking help? I may provide her with resources that can help her curb her addiction. I will be inclined to lend her the money if she agrees to seek treatments and I'd follow up to make sure she is abiding to her commitments.

 

[FutureOptStudent]

Before making assumptions about this potential gambling problem, I'd find out more information about her gambling habits. Is it a one time isolated incident or does she have an addiction? I'd have no problem lending money to my friend that made a bad judgement call and is making efforts to make up for her mistake. If I've noticed she has a gambling problem, I may want to assess the situation further such as how she is planning to get out of her debt, will she use the money for bills or to gamble? does she have a plausible plan to reduce her habits? is she seeking help? I may provide her with resources that can help her curb her addiction. I will be inclined to lend her the money if she agrees to seek treatments and I'd follow up to make sure she is abiding to her commitments.

Thank you so much, that was really helpful!

 

[FutureOptStudent]

Any additional tips in preparing for the casper test? Mine is this week and I'm feeling nervous. I have went over sample questions and responses, did the practice test on their website and also went over some tips and scenarios videos on youtube.

 

[giraffes53]

Does anyone have any idea how the CASPer test results impact their decision process? (is it equal weight with everything else, or more/less and does it affect interview chances or is it more used during admission decisions after interviews)

I'm terrified of doing poorly on it