What are my chances?

[lookingforCDs]

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Hey everyone!

I'm really interested in optometry, but I've been getting a lot of conflicting info regarding what it takes to get into most schools (except for the ones that post the averages of their incoming class). Here are my "stats"

3.9 Overall GPA at a Tier I university (I'm a biochem major)
3.8 Prereq GPA

I just took my OAT and I did ok ( AA 380 TS 390)

I have no real extracurriculars except some volunteer experience.

Does it matter that I'm a black male - I've heard yes and no.
Plus I'm handicapped.

Any help would be great!🙂

 

[Eve:)]

Hey!

WOw your stats look amazing! Congrats on the great OAT scores😉 I cannot imagine that the schools would discriminate you based on your race!!! As far as I know, the schools do not discriminate against race, sex, religion, disability etc...
I suggest you apply! YOu have a great chance based on your stats.

Good luck!

 

[still_confused]

stats are good , need more EC's for the more picky schools,


good luck

 

[alferec]

Whoa, your OAT scores kicks butt!!! Do you still have time to do more ECs? And where do you plan to apply?

 

[Cal_OD]

don't patronize people, those aren't your stats. if it were you wouldn't be asking this stupid question. it's like asking, "I have almost a 4.0, and near perfect oat, what are my chances," when you clearly know the average are well below those stats. And the other added details is insulting.

 

[lookingforCDs]

don't patronize people, those aren't your stats. if it were you wouldn't be asking this stupid question. it's like asking, "I have almost a 4.0, and near perfect oat, what are my chances," when you clearly know the average are well below those stats. And the other added details is insulting.

I'm sorry you feel that way, but I assure you that those are my real scores. Unfortunately I haven't found the time to look up the averages for most schools myself as my daily duties take up most of my time, especially if you are like me and have a serious physical handicap. To insinuate that I am not forthcoming in my details, I don't know what to say, except that I am a bit disappointed. A couple of people on here have been extremely helpful and I really appreciate the time they took to respond to my post, but yours shows utter disdain for my position and I wish you would better spend your time doing something more constructive and not bash people with serious questions.

 

[Maf54]

Those are great scores!!! I am sure u will get in! As for the guy that is bashing u. Shame on him...he's just jealous ;p

 

[Eve:)]

Yea hopefully he isn't/will not be an optometrist....YIKES😱

 

[blazenmadison]

better find a backup plan!

 

[4Eyes]

Congrats on the excellent scores. That is great! Those are certainly competitive stats, but I'm sure you knew that.

I would, however, be concerned about the lack of extracurriculars, etc. It is my impression that pretty much any school, no matter how awesome your GPA is, would like to see some evidence that you have a life besides just studying. It can be anything, not necessarily optometry-related.

Also, you didn't mention anything about work experience or shadowing (unless that falls under the category of EC, which I guess it could)...have you done anything like that? Any school you might be considering will see that you are an excellent student. But they are also concerned with how committed you are to the profession...they want to give their seats to people who are passionate about optometry, plus they always want high retention rates, etc. The best way to prove that you are, indeed, dedicated to becoming an optometrist is shadowing an OD or two or five OR working with an OD somewhere. That shows the admission people that you know what you're getting yourself into. 🙂

So yes. Back to your original question. You chances? I imagine some school(s?) somewhere would probably accept you based on your GPA and OAT scores. However, if you were to apply right now, I imagine most schools would tell you to get some shadowing experience or get a job in an optometry practice, and reapply next year. Having even the slightest amount of exposure will carry a LOT of weight.

(Edit: I also see some troll warning signs, but I try to play it safe until I know for sure. I'd rather look stupid for going along with it than risk looking like a jerk by making an incorrect assumption.)

 

[still_confused]

what you post is none of our business. these forums are meant to help. However, I agree to a certain extent that you are patronizing us by not doing your research yourself. The average stats are on opted.org and is easily accesible. Please do some research of your own instead of postiing here and expecting others to do your work for you.

and at the risk of sounding racist, being black DOES help (ALOT). What kind of disability do you have? You do know being an optometrist requires a certain level of dexterity and mobility during the examination.

what the heck is a tier 1 university?

 

[iiiimonica]

Hey everyone!

I'm really interested in optometry, but I've been getting a lot of conflicting info regarding what it takes to get into most schools (except for the ones that post the averages of their incoming class). Here are my "stats"

3.9 Overall GPA at a Tier I university (I'm a biochem major)
3.8 Prereq GPA

I just took my OAT and I did ok ( AA 380 TS 390)

I have no real extracurriculars except some volunteer experience.

Does it matter that I'm a black male - I've heard yes and no.
Plus I'm handicapped.

Any help would be great!🙂

cough:troll:cough

on the slight chance that you are not a troll - then you just need to work/volunteer at od offices, just to make sure optometry is the career you want to commit ~$80,000 to.

as for a disabilty - you can still do optometry, but you will need to find ways to work around your disabilty. a lot of what optometry does involves a steady hand, and decent hand -eye coordination. volunteering/working at an optometrist office will enable you to see what optometrists do and then you can decide if you will be able to perform these tasks

being a student from an underreppresnted community will help you add diversity to your class, but it will be very lonely. the lack of students of color in optometry (and the healthcare fields in general) is sad.

if you are not a troll, good luck to you!

and if you are a troll, you're not even a very good one

 

[Eve:)]

whats a troll lol

 

[eyestrain]

on the slight chance that you are not a troll - then you just need to work/volunteer at od offices, just to make sure optometry is the career you want to commit ~$80,000 to.

$80,000? Probably more like $180,000, unless you're in-state.

 

[eye2eye]

$80,000? Probably more like $180,000, unless you're in-state.

I think you (eyestraid) are reffering to the school cost... the poster was reffering to income 😉