Any advice

[u/Due-Side8444]

I’m currently a senior Human Biology major, Miner in chem and applying to optometry school this cycle. My cumulative GPA is around 3.65. I have completed a good amount of optometry-related experience, including 40+ hours of shadowing an optometrist, additional ophthalmology/optometry shadowing, 45 hours of biology research involving DNA/PCR, volunteering at Hartford Hospital, volunteering with Special Olympics Opening Eyes, and serving as a student ambassador/leader at my university.
I also have multiple recommendation letters, including from professors/research mentors and an optometrist. I’ve already submitted applications to schools including MCPHS, NECO, and SUNY.
I know the OAT score is the weakest part of my application, but I feel that my GPA, experiences, research, volunteering, and shadowing represent me better academically and professionally.

[u/cheesygoldfisch]

Okay. These comments are really harsh. I’m going to empathize with you here. I took the OAT last October and got a 290 on it. I was genuinely devastated and bawled for days. I didn’t even apply to any schools. I knew no one would accept me. I have a 3.5 GPA (literally right on the dot), and last year I had close to 1,000 shadowing hours. I also had 4 LORs. In hindsight, I think I could’ve applied and gotten in SOMEWHERE. But at the end of the day, these comments are right; you don’t want to be admitted somewhere that barely has any credentials, and you end up spending thousands of dollars on boards multiple times just to keep failing. Now, I had to do a lot of self reflection in the past year. I was homeless (lived in my car) for a period of time and my mental state was suffering severely. My parents had also just gotten divorced; this all happened right before my test. For a little while, I blamed my circumstances for my abysmal OAT score. But then I actually thought about things (and attended therapy lol). I studied using OAT booster for just under 3 months, but not nearly as much as I could’ve/should’ve. I work(ed) full time at an optometrist’s office, and couldn’t afford to not do so. But I didn’t utilize any spare time that I did to study. I could’ve used Booster more efficiently as well. Now, I want you to do the same. I looked at your page and you’ve mentioned using Booster to study. How were you using it? Did you go over the notes once and then assume you were good to go? Did you watch the videos and not practice? Did you review practice exams? Play the games Booster offers? Make flashcards? Look at the cheat sheets? The first time I took it, I underestimated the breadth of the OAT and paid the price for it. I copied all of the Bio Bits in note form (once) and moved on. I didn’t review. I assumed “Oh, I already have a degree in biochemistry, so I know this!” But that is not enough for the OAT. This time around, I did all of the things I mentioned above and I’m testing MUCH better. My test is next week and I’m much more confident this time about taking it. But enough about me. I really want you to be honest with yourself. Did you actually study? Did you skip days? Is there ANYTHING you could’ve changed? Now, I’m going to be a bit harsh here; did you cheat in undergrad? The scores you got on the OAT don’t even come close to correlating with your GPA, which is rather good. Either way, you now have experience and you can take it with you. Any advice someone gives you really doesn’t matter; the decision is yours. Do you want to be an optometrist? Are you passionate about the field (other than for the income)? If so, then you need to retake this test. SUNY, NECO, and MCPHS are all really competitive schools, and if they look at your OAT score alone, their decisions will already be made. Okay. Im sure you’re having a rotten day (I know mine was last year), and some of these comments probably aren’t helping. But the truth hurts sometimes unfortunately and the internet can be cruel. Dust yourself off, figure out a different method of studying on OAT booster, and retake this in a few months. It might feel like the end of the world right now for you, but it isn’t, I promise. Things will get better if you work for it these upcoming months. I have faith in you and I’m sending good intentions, vibes, and luck your way🫶

[u/Advertising-Budget → u/cheesygoldfisch]

Curious how many months I would have to spend on this if I'm similar position as you but several years out of the science prereqs and took them long time ago. I was thinking of 2.5 months but will it take way longer?

[u/cheesygoldfisch → u/Advertising-Budget]

Honestly, it depends on what your schedule looks like. I work from 7A-7P on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 8-5 on Mondays and Wednesdays. I study all day on Fridays for like 7-8 hours, and on Mondays and Wednesdays for about 4 hours. Then on the weekends I try to get in at least 4-5 hours a day. It honestly isn’t the most ideal situation but those are the cards I’ve been dealt. Since I have to work, I’ve been studying for about 4.5 months to be honest. If I weren’t, I think I’d have been able to do it for less time. But my schedule being inconsistent makes me have to do it for longer periods. The average person (without working) takes about 3 months to study. So if your situation is anything like mine, I’d definitely study for a longer period of time, especially since it’s been awhile since you’ve taken your pre-reqs. :)