worried about orgo section on oat

[flubdubman]

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Yes, this is another "will I get in?" thread... my two main concerns are my oat score (290 for Orgo OUCH!!... 310 TS, 330 AA) and grades as a younger student were horriffic... many F's due to starting and stopping without processing drop slips. This was late 80's/early 90's... Since going back to school 3 years ago, GPA is stellar (3.7 at one college, 3.9 at another) but due to previously mentioned, overall GPA is sitting at 3.2-3.3ish.

Other positives I have going for me are 16 years as an Optician (yes, I'm an old man... maybe another positive?) - both clinic and lab. LOR's and Essay will be rockin... OH... should mention that I cannot get academic LOR's till fall semester starts - seems none of my "good" profs are around over the summer

OAT: QR:310 RC:400 Bio:310 GenChem:330 Orgo:290 Phy:310 TS:310 AA:330

Schools desired: first choice: SCO, 2nd: NOVA, last ditch backup: Incarnate Word.

I DO NOT want to take OAT again...

So... whatdayathink???

 

[Mewcakes]

Sorry man, I think you might have to take that OAT again. It would be another thing if the 290 was in RC, but being that it's orgo...it might hold you back. Your RC score seems like the only thing that brought up your AA.

I don't know if you're counting grades from the 80s/90s for prereqs, but I would check with schools if you are. Some/Most schools have a 10 year statute of limitation on grades for prereqs.

edit: so to answer your actual question...With your current stats you could probably get into the new schools, though they might not even like that 290 in orgo. Though if that's the only thing holding you back, they might let you know that all you need to do is retake your OAT. But I wouldn't rely on them to tell you. Some places will straight reject you instead of being so nice as to give you an interview/chance to redo your OAT.

Thought your raw stats (AA OAT Score and Overall GPA) seem like they might be good enough for SCO, I'm still not sure if they'll like that 290 and I'm not sure if you had planned on using your old grades for prereqs. If so, you might have some problems.

 

[flubdubman]

No, I'm not counting 1989 grades for pre-reqs... many of those classes show up as transfer credits to my current degree plan, but I have retaken EVERY pre-req in the last three years - and thats where my grades are amazing... Orgo B+, Physics 2 B+ - EVERYTHING ELSE A'S. Combining my two colleges I have attended in last 3 years, 3.9gpa. I'm really hoping that my excellent grades in THIS millineum added with being an optician in the Navy for 16 years will make up for the 290 orgo and the barely above 300 other scores (your right, RC is what saved the overall).

I'm still in the Navy, so I have been doing all of this (classes, oat) while working more than full time managing an eye clinic - hoping this will also be a positive spin... you know, "If he can get great grades and an almost passable oat while working full time, he should be good to go when he does not have to work at all during school...

anyway, all thoughts and comments would be appreciated... like I said, I just do not want to retake (nor would I have the time) the oat, and I DO NOT want to go to PR... one of the new schools would be ok, but not my first choice.

Thanks in advance for any responses

 

[Mewcakes]

I would at least plan to take it once more. Even if it's not before you submit your app. Plan on it in November or something and mark it on your app as "planned". Because without your GPA/experience, the OAT represents sub-standard/barely acceptable scores and you don't want them to think you're lazy or that you thought it was okay to kind of stop there. Know what I mean?

 

[admiralbean]

Your orgo score is low but I think you'll still be ok, especially since the rest of your app is strong. My only advice would be to apply asap. Good luck!!