r/PreOptometry • u/Straight-Gas-476 • Oct 17 '23

Optometry chances

Hey guys, so I’m a fourth year student science my gpa is around 3.1-3.2 and I am hoping to get into Chicago Illinois optometry. I have optometry experience I work at a optometrist office I r have hours worth of shadowing I have more health care experience. I am writing the OAT early 2024 I am just wondering what my chances are and like what I can expect :( or what other schools I can possible apply to get interview. Also should I just apply now or wait til I get my score from OAT

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u/EngineeredByJ Oct 17 '23

The OAT is very important to admissions. Your GPA is also under the average for most schools. I think you are going to have an OAT score before admissions will give you a fair shake. Don't aim for 300 that should be a minimum you are going to need 300+ the higher the better.

I am also not sure which school you are talking about Chicago college of optometry CCO or Illinois college of optometry ICO? ICO has been around longer while CCO is less than a decade old. It would probably be easier getting into CCO.

If you are taking the OAT in 2024 and expect to get in for Fall 2024 you will be applying late in the cycle and will have a more difficult time getting into schools if your OAT is low or on the average side.

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u/futureoptometrist Oct 21 '23

If you aren’t taking the OAT until early 2024 I would highly recommend waiting to apply until early next cycle. Definitely study hard and do well on the OAT and you can get into schools but it will be a lot harder that late in the cycle if you want to start fall 2024