- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
- Messages
- 52
- Reaction score
- 0
I would like to know how those of you who have already gone through the application process decided which to apply to.
Which schools to apply to?
- Thread starter Colonel Mitchel
- Start date
- Joined
- May 10, 2005
- Messages
- 127
- Reaction score
- 0
See which schools you CAN apply to...some only accept from certain states.
Then, I guess it depends on your stats. If you have a great gpa, oat, extra curriculars, etc...then think about and reseach each school and see whether you would want to live/study.
If not...apply everywhere you can and cross your fingers ;-)
You can use www.opted.org to get a general idea of which states accept lots of out-of-staters, and which don't.
Then, I guess it depends on your stats. If you have a great gpa, oat, extra curriculars, etc...then think about and reseach each school and see whether you would want to live/study.
If not...apply everywhere you can and cross your fingers ;-)
You can use www.opted.org to get a general idea of which states accept lots of out-of-staters, and which don't.
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2007
- Messages
- 173
- Reaction score
- 0
I did a lot of research before I applied. You have to consider what you want out of a program and an area. Weigh all of the options (all 19 of them!), get their applications, and submit where you really want to go.
Remember, though, you are most likely going to like wherever you go, so don't cut a school off just because you don't like their mascot.
Seriously- explore the school websites, go to opted, look on here (take everything with a grain of salt), and PM the student ambassadors for the schools you are interested in. Once you've narrowed down your list, call those schools... find out the names of the admissions office people. Go visit a place if you are close enough. The routes to optometry school are endless, and no two people are going to have the same path.
Have fun!
Remember, though, you are most likely going to like wherever you go, so don't cut a school off just because you don't like their mascot.
Seriously- explore the school websites, go to opted, look on here (take everything with a grain of salt), and PM the student ambassadors for the schools you are interested in. Once you've narrowed down your list, call those schools... find out the names of the admissions office people. Go visit a place if you are close enough. The routes to optometry school are endless, and no two people are going to have the same path.
Have fun!
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2005
- Messages
- 1,122
- Reaction score
- 2
The previous posters have given some great advice, and I thought I would chime in too. 😎
The first factor I used to narrow down my choices was location. Print out a list of all of the optometry schools here and go through them one by one. Decide where you would like to live, and where you would never consider moving to. (For example... the South is too humid for me, so UAB was out. California is nice to visit but better to leave, so SCCO and UCB were out.)
Next, take a look at the prereqs for each of those schools here. Decide what schools you can apply to now, and which you would need to take extra classes for. If you like that location enough to take that extra class... you still have the year ahead of you so do it! (For me, living in New York would have been amazing, but at that point I would have had to take an extra class in OChem, so SUNY was out.)
Finally, look at the GPA and OAT averages here for the remaining schools on your list. Are you close to the average? If so, you are probably competitive. If not, don't necessarily give up, but be sure to contact the admissions director to see what you need to do to strengthen your chances.
Your list should be getting smaller and smaller. Pick your top 3-5 schools (or more or less depending on your individual circumstances) and get to work on those apps!
Other important things to consider:
Hope that helps!
PGE
The first factor I used to narrow down my choices was location. Print out a list of all of the optometry schools here and go through them one by one. Decide where you would like to live, and where you would never consider moving to. (For example... the South is too humid for me, so UAB was out. California is nice to visit but better to leave, so SCCO and UCB were out.)
Next, take a look at the prereqs for each of those schools here. Decide what schools you can apply to now, and which you would need to take extra classes for. If you like that location enough to take that extra class... you still have the year ahead of you so do it! (For me, living in New York would have been amazing, but at that point I would have had to take an extra class in OChem, so SUNY was out.)
Finally, look at the GPA and OAT averages here for the remaining schools on your list. Are you close to the average? If so, you are probably competitive. If not, don't necessarily give up, but be sure to contact the admissions director to see what you need to do to strengthen your chances.
Your list should be getting smaller and smaller. Pick your top 3-5 schools (or more or less depending on your individual circumstances) and get to work on those apps!
Other important things to consider:
- Does the school's philosophy fit with you? Check out their website... talk to current students (or an SDN ambassador!)
- Does the school require shadowing?
- Does the school prefer instate vs. out of state students?
- Cost of living and tuition?
- Do you need/want a family support system (ie stay close to home?)
- Spouse/SO to consider?
- Scholarships or contract seats (WICHE, etc.)
Hope that helps!
PGE
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2006
- Messages
- 79
- Reaction score
- 0
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2006
- Messages
- 1,152
- Reaction score
- 2
Yeah, money is important. I haven't applied yet, but the way I chose where I'm going to apply was pretty much: cost of tuition, cost of living, and location. SCO is my first choice due to the low tuition and super low cost of living. I visited a year or so ago and as much as I hate living near Richmond, I really liked the atmosphere in Memphis. So, that's where I want to go!
