What Sets you out from other applicants?

[evelycious]

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Hi guys,

I'm really nervous about not getting into optometry school. I haven't taken the OAT yet, but I'm about to be a junior and I was wondering what more I can do to set myself out on the application. My GPA isn't too good...so I know I'm going to need something really big to help myself look stronger. I'm in a hospital internship for about 2 years now and been shadowing an optometry for about 6 months. The hospital internship is from before when I didn't know I liked optometry yet...but I continued with it because I like patient interactions there. So what else do I need to do or be involved in so I can make myself look more original? I was thinking I could take up another volunteer position at an eye clinic or something, is that a good idea?


I really need some advice, so your replies will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

-Evelyn

 

[Oogilily]

Getting a good score on your OAT will help your not so great GPA. If you have above a 3.0 and you get a good score on your OAT (maybe 350+ or so) you could stand a good chance at getting in, especially with your extracurricular activies. Other than that, extracurriculars help and also knowing a lot about optometry itself will help. Maybe some other people have better ideas, but I think your OAT is important.

 

[eyestrain]

Focus on getting your grades up. If that means stopping the internship and shadowing, so be it. People seem too wound up about getting extracurriculars while their GPA goes down the drain.