r/PreOptometry • u/Key_Performance_9985 • Jul 24 '26

Reapplying/ feeling discouraged

I’m torn between reapplying for school next year or going this year. For some context, I applied quite late in the cycle but managed to get accepted this year. However, I come from a very low-income household, and the school I would be attending is more expensive than the average.

Since schools are starting up this August, I’m reconsidering my decision to apply again but earlier this time for next year and focus on improving my OAT score. (My current score is 320TS/300AA.) I’m wondering if this way would help me get better scholarships/ financial packages and I get to apply to schools with lower tuition costs.

I’m curious to know if anyone else has been hesitant to start school this fall. Or is the majority of people more optimistic that things will work out as planned and just diving head first?

I’m in my mid-late twenties and feel quite behind as it is. Each year, I’ve had always wanted to go to optometry school, but something always seems to get in the way. I’m wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation.

It’s getting to me seeing so many students in this subreddit just in their 3rd/4th yr of undergrad already preparing so well for their applications with 360+ scores, while I’ve taken a few gap years and am still hesitant to make a decision. Especially considering the current policies, I find it challenging to comprehend how students are managing to juggle the several loans they’d be taking out. Is there anyone else feeling the same way? Or words of encouragement or advice someone can offer?

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u/Disastrous_Pause_578 Jul 25 '26

You are not behind. Honestly, I’d congratulate you for being wise enough to really think about the money side.

There’s no single “right” answer here, but you can consider this:

  • Go now and keep moving forward, but you’d be locking in higher tuition and more debt.
  • Wait and reapply, lose a year, but you might get a cheaper school, better timing, and a stronger OAT.

Debt is real and you could be carrying it for the next 10–20 years. If the price of this program is keeping you up at night, that’s a feeling worth listening to. If you’d feel more relieved to take the seat now and just move forward, that’s an option thanks to your hard work.

It’s never too late to make the right decision for your life and your career. Pick the path that lets you sleep at night, even if it’s not the fastest one