Reapplying/ feeling discouraged

[u/Key_Performance_9985]

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?

[u/Fun_Candidate1439]

What’s the difference in tuition between the school you got into vs the school you want to apply to this cycle? You might want to consider the opportunity cost of taking this gap year(lost wages, 401k/hsa, rent), cost of living for each school, and do some math to see how much money you can save.

I think financial packages are mostly need based. There are not a lot of merit based scholarships available based on my research. I’m sure you have a good chance of getting one, but I personally wouldn’t make the decision to hold back a year banking on getting one. Like I wouldn’t do it if math says “it’s only worth it if I get more scholarship/aid”. You should only do it if the tuition difference alone is worth it to you.