During my journey to acceptance to Optometry school, I would obsessively scroll through and read all the posts dating back to 2006 about how I could achieve this feat. I wanted to share my experience and timeline.
Background: I always knew that I wanted to work in the health profession but I could never pin point my passion. I graduated with a BS in Biology in 2014 with a low GPA of 3.08. Afterwards, I happened upon an Optometry Technican position. I got comfortable and my ambition disappeared. I worked here for approximately 3 years. My relationship of 7 years ended in 2016, which then I decided to continue my career and make something of myself.
I enrolled in a community college to fulfil my last pre-requisite, BioChemistry. I was hesitant to get started in the application process because I knew that many people advised 3 months of studying before taking the OATs (I haven’t been in school in 3 years!). Not only that, I was late in the application process ( I had already missed a few deadlines). I received mixed opinions if I should go all in and do my best or wait until I was done with my class and give it my all for the next cycle.
I read countless stories of people with low OAT/GPA being accepted and late acceptances, I had hope. My optometrist friend pushed doubts out of my mind. So what if I had a low GPA? That doesn’t reflect your intelligence. So what if you get a low OAT? That does not define your capabilities. So what if you don’t get in? At least you know you did everything you could. Aren’t you tired of waiting to get your life started?
I took a chance took off a month from work to study for my OATs.
Application/OATs:
Feb 21st Mailed transcript request to USF
Feb 26th Submitted OptomCas
Feb 28th Nova Initial Email
March 2nd Transcipt Recieved by OptomCas
March 3rd Transcipts Verified by OptomCas
March 4th Incarnate Wood Email
March 6th Salus Email, Midwestern IL Email
March 7th MidWestern Arizona Email
March 9th Nova Supplamental Email; Recieved March 17th Midwestern IL Mailed Letter
March 19th OAT March 20th Requested OAT scores to be sent to additional schools
April 5th OAT received by schools
Gold Standard Mini Test Raw 29/66
Bio 310 Chm 260 OChem 280 Reading 320 Physics 220 QR330
TS 260 AA 290
Kaplan Practice Test 1
Bio 280 Chm 250 Ochm 280 Physics 250 Reading 200 QR 280
TS 260 AA 260
ADA Sample Test
Bio 260 Chm 266 =260 Ochm 13/30 = 200 Physics 13/40 = 200 Reading 11/15 = 290 QR 240
TS 240 AA 240
Kaplan Practice Test 2
Bio 270 Chm 240 Ochm 290 Physics 220 Reading 310 QR 290
TS 250 AA 270
Kaplan Practice Test
Bio 330 Chm 290 Ochm 330 Physics 260 Reading 250 QR300
TS 290 AA 290
Actual Bio 330 Chm 300 OCHM 330 Physics 270 Reading 320 QR 290 TS 300 AA 310
This one is a little messy but it is the timeline post application:
RSO - 03-20 OAT unoffical sent, 03-24 Interview Invite email before submission of Professor’s letter, 05-05 Interview, 05-23 Waitlisted
What was the hardest thing you had to overcome in your life? What are three qualities a health profession should have? Why RSO? Differences between undergrad and graduate school?
Salus - 03-20 unoffical OAT scores, 03-21 interview invite email, 03-27 interview, 04-03 Acceptance to Standby 06-26 Acceptance (email)
When did you realize you wanted to pursue Optometry? What are some challenges that optometrists face today? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What did you do to prepare for your OAT? What can Salus provide/help you? What are your hobbies to de-stress? What other schools did you apply to?
MWU AZ - 03-20 OAT unoffical sent, 04-13 Interview invite email05-19 Interview 06-02 Waitlisted (mail)
Sorry, I forgot to write down the interview questions!
MWU IL - 03-20 OAT unofficial sent, 03-22 Interview Invite email, 05-08 Interview 05-09 Acceptance
Signed NDA
NSU - 03-23 Supplemental Sent, 03-24 Call cannot find OptomCas? 03-29 Called still cannot find OptomCas - emailed, 03-30 phone call confirmed application, 04-05 Interview offer email call, 04-07 Interview, 04-13 Waitlisted 06-15 Acceptance Call
What is an ophthalmologist vs. an optometrist? How do you manage your time? Do you have a reason to why your science GPA is low? What would you do if you got a bad score on your exam? What would you do if someone cheated on that exam?
Sorry, for the long story guys but I hope this helps someone out there. Yes, I understand that I have mediocre scores and a terrible GPA. But, I believe that my experience in the field and my determination is what got me in. Hey, someone’s got to balance out those high GPAs right? Getting in is one thing, finishing is another… good luck
Background: I always knew that I wanted to work in the health profession but I could never pin point my passion. I graduated with a BS in Biology in 2014 with a low GPA of 3.08. Afterwards, I happened upon an Optometry Technican position. I got comfortable and my ambition disappeared. I worked here for approximately 3 years. My relationship of 7 years ended in 2016, which then I decided to continue my career and make something of myself.
I enrolled in a community college to fulfil my last pre-requisite, BioChemistry. I was hesitant to get started in the application process because I knew that many people advised 3 months of studying before taking the OATs (I haven’t been in school in 3 years!). Not only that, I was late in the application process ( I had already missed a few deadlines). I received mixed opinions if I should go all in and do my best or wait until I was done with my class and give it my all for the next cycle.
I read countless stories of people with low OAT/GPA being accepted and late acceptances, I had hope. My optometrist friend pushed doubts out of my mind. So what if I had a low GPA? That doesn’t reflect your intelligence. So what if you get a low OAT? That does not define your capabilities. So what if you don’t get in? At least you know you did everything you could. Aren’t you tired of waiting to get your life started?
I took a chance took off a month from work to study for my OATs.
Application/OATs:
Feb 21st Mailed transcript request to USF
Feb 26th Submitted OptomCas
Feb 28th Nova Initial Email
March 2nd Transcipt Recieved by OptomCas
March 3rd Transcipts Verified by OptomCas
March 4th Incarnate Wood Email
March 6th Salus Email, Midwestern IL Email
March 7th MidWestern Arizona Email
March 9th Nova Supplamental Email; Recieved March 17th Midwestern IL Mailed Letter
March 19th OAT March 20th Requested OAT scores to be sent to additional schools
April 5th OAT received by schools
Gold Standard Mini Test Raw 29/66
Bio 310 Chm 260 OChem 280 Reading 320 Physics 220 QR330
TS 260 AA 290
Kaplan Practice Test 1
Bio 280 Chm 250 Ochm 280 Physics 250 Reading 200 QR 280
TS 260 AA 260
ADA Sample Test
Bio 260 Chm 266 =260 Ochm 13/30 = 200 Physics 13/40 = 200 Reading 11/15 = 290 QR 240
TS 240 AA 240
Kaplan Practice Test 2
Bio 270 Chm 240 Ochm 290 Physics 220 Reading 310 QR 290
TS 250 AA 270
Kaplan Practice Test
Bio 330 Chm 290 Ochm 330 Physics 260 Reading 250 QR300
TS 290 AA 290
Actual Bio 330 Chm 300 OCHM 330 Physics 270 Reading 320 QR 290 TS 300 AA 310
This one is a little messy but it is the timeline post application:
RSO - 03-20 OAT unoffical sent, 03-24 Interview Invite email before submission of Professor’s letter, 05-05 Interview, 05-23 Waitlisted
What was the hardest thing you had to overcome in your life? What are three qualities a health profession should have? Why RSO? Differences between undergrad and graduate school?
Salus - 03-20 unoffical OAT scores, 03-21 interview invite email, 03-27 interview, 04-03 Acceptance to Standby 06-26 Acceptance (email)
When did you realize you wanted to pursue Optometry? What are some challenges that optometrists face today? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What did you do to prepare for your OAT? What can Salus provide/help you? What are your hobbies to de-stress? What other schools did you apply to?
MWU AZ - 03-20 OAT unoffical sent, 04-13 Interview invite email05-19 Interview 06-02 Waitlisted (mail)
Sorry, I forgot to write down the interview questions!
MWU IL - 03-20 OAT unofficial sent, 03-22 Interview Invite email, 05-08 Interview 05-09 Acceptance
Signed NDA
NSU - 03-23 Supplemental Sent, 03-24 Call cannot find OptomCas? 03-29 Called still cannot find OptomCas - emailed, 03-30 phone call confirmed application, 04-05 Interview offer email call, 04-07 Interview, 04-13 Waitlisted 06-15 Acceptance Call
What is an ophthalmologist vs. an optometrist? How do you manage your time? Do you have a reason to why your science GPA is low? What would you do if you got a bad score on your exam? What would you do if someone cheated on that exam?
Sorry, for the long story guys but I hope this helps someone out there. Yes, I understand that I have mediocre scores and a terrible GPA. But, I believe that my experience in the field and my determination is what got me in. Hey, someone’s got to balance out those high GPAs right? Getting in is one thing, finishing is another… good luck
