What's Good About OptomCAS?

[Commando303]

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It seems the system takes some time to send out applications, and ends up costing a lot more money than direct-applications (considering many colleges require the submission of a supplemental app., which almost never asks anything not already revealed to OptomCAS, anyway...). So, are there any benefits to the new "centralized application system"?

 

[VTECaddict]

I guess just having one universal essay. Other than that, I don't see a huge benefit to it. Like you said, many schools ask for the same things again in their supplementals.

 

[CaliOD25]

I think OptomCAS made the application process worse for the multitude of reasons already stated, and it just proved to be an unnecessary hassle for those of us who didn't apply to a million schools.
As for the reason why the schools went for this idea, I think it was to keep up with the common applications that dentistry, pharmacy, and other professional schools have. This may sound a little conspiracy-theory, but I think the hasty set up of the process shows that OptomCAS was more about "keeping up with the Joneses" and less about convenience for students.

 

[Commando303]

S.U.N.Y. Optometry's supplemental app. shocked me: it asks for not one piece of information not provided on OptomCAS, not even a short essay (you pretty much provide just your name, address, and science-course grades). I think they charge $40.00.

 

[pamin002]

S.U.N.Y. Optometry's supplemental app. shocked me: it asks for not one piece of information not provided on OptomCAS, not even a short essay (you pretty much provide just your name, address, and science-course grades). I think they charge $40.00.

NECO asked for $45.00 for just my contact info and 3-4 sentences on why i wanted to go there.

 

[nc2tarheels]

I do find the optomcas to be a bit pointless. However, if the schools would rid themselves of the secondary apps, then the optomcas would be great. Kudos to PCO for not have a secondary app fee!!!

 

[VTECaddict]

SCCO charged $65. That was the extent of their supplemental.

Well, they did have two additional short essays in OptomCAS, but since it was in OptomCAS I don't consider it to be a supplemental app.