what are my chances? please give advise also

[Igurl]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey Everyone,
I'm planning on applying to Optometry schools in the fall. I have not yet taken the OATs. I'm actually concerned about my GPA.
my undergraduate GPA was around a 2.8
in the past 2 years I have invested myself in taking Graduate Biology classes, My graduate GPA is a: 3.7
I am studying for the OATs, my score ranges from around 340-360.
How much hope do i have?
I have done some research at National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NINDs) (project not finished yet, no publications). I have also been shadowing an optometrist for a almost 2 months.
My undergraduate grades are truly horrendous, i got an F in math at one point. (i know pretty bad). But I have definately progressed in my graduate work (25 credits only so far). What should I be aiming for on the OATs to have a good shot? and what kind of optometry programs should i be looking at?
Hope to hear from you guys!🙂

 

[oceanblue392]

Always aim for a 400 in each section on the OAT!

 

[Igurl]

HAHA, is that a nice way of saying I don't have much hope?🙁

 

[mathcod]

I think you still have a not too bad chance of getting into optometry school. Hope your pre-req GPA is above 3.0 at least though. Do well on the OAT and you should be able to get into optometry school. Good luck.

And doing well on the OAT is a very realistic goal, so don't think you are in the gutter.

 

[oceanblue392]

HAHA, is that a nice way of saying I don't have much hope?🙁

Not at all! You should always aim at getting a 400 on each section of the OAT...shouldn't your goal always be getting the best possible score? success is a mindset.

As far as your other stuff..it sounds like you have a pretty good handle on your grad level courses, which is always a good thing and will definitely offset the undergrad gpa - schools always like to see improvement.
I think the only thing thats really missing from the stuff you listed is shadowing or working experience with an optometrist. You MUST spend time shadowing and/or working for an optometrist to make sure that you know what youre getting into and what the profession entails.

 

[mathcod]

You should shadow an optometrist for at least 40 hours, in my opinion, to be in good standing. Of course, the more the better.

You should equate your 2 months of shadowing into hours. However, I think your main focus should be the OAT. You're going to want to get at least a 350 in all sections. Honestly, your gpa isn't going to change, so accept it and keep working hard. I think you can get into optometry school.

If you need the drive, pretend you are Elle from Legally Blonde and you need to get at least a 375 on the LSAT or you won't get into Harvard Law and you're going to lose your bf/gf, who in the end was really a jerk and you'll fall in love with a TA. That's what I did and I ended up getting a 400/380.

The only problem I forsee is if your prereq gpa is below 3.0. You still have a chance at that point, but it's going to be tough. If your prereq gpa is below 2.5, I'd say call schools and ask them what your options are.

 

[OpticalBlackOut]

Hey Everyone,
what kind of optometry programs should i be looking at?

The previous posters have covered the other points pretty well.

Use this to gauge where you stand:
http://www.opted.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3449
Request information from the schools that you're interested in,
good luck!

 

[mrfunnyman]

If you need the drive, pretend you are Elle from Legally Blonde and you need to get at least a 375 on the LSAT or you won't get into Harvard Law and you're going to lose your bf/gf, who in the end was really a jerk and you'll fall in love with a TA. That's what I did and I ended up getting a 400/380.

LOL nice

 

[Trinity23]

I was in the same situation as you. My undergrad GPA was 3.1 and my science GPA was like 2.9/3.0. so i decided to do a masters in bio (MA) and i currently have a graduate GPA of 3.7. I got a 320 on my OAT. i applied to abt 9 schools for the 2009 entering class. i was just praying for an interview invite from any school and i got 5 interviews. I was soo shocked and glad!! I got accepted to PCO, ICO and i am currently on hold at MCO. So yes, there is hope for you!!!! just dont give up and make sure that you have above 300 on all your sections on the OAT. it's good that you did research. I worked at an optical office for a year and I shadowed at MCO for a day. Make sure you shadow at different types of offices, that always looks good. GOOD LUCK !!