What exactly is applying "early" vs. "late"

[janedoe88]

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Does anyone know for certain exactly which month most optometry schools have most of their seats filled? It seems that most people on this forum applied VERY early and think that december or january is "late" but I know some people apply like march and still get in...

I ask this because once the academic update goes through, my classes I'm retaking is going to boost my GPA WAY up and I'll be qualified for a lot more schools. So hopefully when they get my new GPA in January, there will still be seats left? And the schools will already have all my stuff processed so it will just be a matter of adding in the new GPA and receiving my new transcript which shouldn't take that long to process?

 

[elleeccentric]

I wonder this also. Most people on here apply "early" but im sure every optometry school applicant doesn't frequent this site so whats the real deal in terms of applying?...

 

[Blondiechick919]

I would guess early is applying between July and September. Late would probably be january to march in my opinion. Seats are largely filled after Xmas I would imagine, I guess it depends on the school and how oft they interview. Obviously earlier is better.

 

[janedoe88]

I would guess early is applying between July and September. Late would probably be january to march in my opinion. Seats are largely filled after Xmas I would imagine, I guess it depends on the school and how oft they interview. Obviously earlier is better.

Well I guess I mean the time when you have your interview, not when you submit your app. Do you think an interview in jan or feb would be late?

 

[Blondiechick919]

Well I guess I mean the time when you have your interview, not when you submit your app. Do you think an interview in jan or feb would be late?

When I was physically in the PCO office for my interview on 9/28 I overheard the secretary booking interviews for the week after thanksgiving. Granted this was only one school but I don't imagine it's going to get better. OptomCAS takes at least a week to 10 days to mail our app before the schools even see you, and then the schools have to process you too. If I wanted to apply soon, I would apply ASAP so I would have a shot at a jan interview. I feel like that's "late" but not crazy late to where there are no seats left.

 

[janedoe88]

When I was physically in the PCO office for my interview on 9/28 I overheard the secretary booking interviews for the week after thanksgiving. Granted this was only one school but I don't imagine it's going to get better. OptomCAS takes at least a week to 10 days to mail our app before the schools even see you, and then they have to process you too. If I wanted to apply soon, I would apply ASAP so I would have a shot at a jan interview. I feel like that's "late" but not crazy late to where there are seats left.

that could have been me on the phone she was booking the week after thanksgiving lol