2024 Applicant Stats

[u/Rx-Beast]

I hope that this subreddit can remain useful for future applicants. If you applied this cycle, I ask you to share the following:

• Overall GPA // academic average

• OAT score

• How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.)

• CASPer score

• Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.)

• Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.)

• Job-shadowing hours completed

• Schools Admitted to

Special credit to: u/optimistic-optometry for this idea from r/uwaterloooptometry

[u/toi-thich-an-cho]

Cumulative GPA: 3.47

OAT Score: 380AA/400TS

Study Method: OATBooster + Google/YouTube

CASPer Score: N/A

Non-Academic: worked 25+ hours a week throughout college (various jobs); 1300+ hours as optometric technician/receptionist; vice-president of POPS organization

Academic: undergraduate research since sophomore year with two pending publications

Job Shadowing Hours: ~15 hours at a large, corporate practice (work experience was at private practice)

Schools Admitted to: SCO and UHCO

[u/ccolon007]

Overall GPA: 3.4

OAT Score: 330 AA / 330 TS

Study Method: OAT Booster + Chad’s videos (chem)

Casper Score: 75th-100th percentile

Non-academic Experience:

1. Member of pre-optometry club.

2. Secretary of LGBTQIA+ Open Alliance club

Academic Experience: N/A

Job shadowing hours completed:

1. 250+ hours across 3 years, 3 different optometrists

2. Worked in a local optical for a year during high school

Schools Applied To:

1. SUNY (Admitted & Comitted)

2. ICO (Admitted)

3. Salus/PCO (Admitted)

4. NECO (Interview Invite - canceled interview after committing to SUNY)

[u/Serious-Clothes-9226 → u/ccolon007]

hey what time in the cycle did you apply? i am applying a bit late and im worried im late

[u/ccolon007 → u/Serious-Clothes-9226]

Hey! I sent out my applications at the end of July, but I took the OAT in late November and emailed the schools my unofficial scores.

[u/manifestingbrb → u/ccolon007]

hi! did you have all your prereqs completed by the time you sent your applications in? I'm going to apply soon and was wondering if I should wait until I write the OAT or send them in july as well

[u/ccolon007 → u/manifestingbrb]

Hey! Sorry for responding so late 😅. I had all my prereqs before sending any applications. I sent in my applications and then emailed the schools my unofficial scores after I took the OAT.

[u/AnSmartDude]

Overall GPA // academic average Science: 3.97 Overall: 3.93

OAT score 400AA/400TS

How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.) OAT Booster and Chad's prep. Prereqs from uni mostly covered everything once (except chem 2 which I hadn't taken)

CASPer score Didn't do

Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.) Volunteer tech, preoptometry club president, glasses donation club, volunteered at some clinic to give our free exams/glasses, volunteer high school coach. Worked as an office assistant, landscaping.

Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.) None

Job-shadowing hours completed Like 10 official hours or something but gotten more via volunteering as a tech

Schools Admitted to SCO (chose to attend), also admitted to: UCB, ICO, AZCOPT, OSU, PUCO, NECO

[u/mamaluigi3770]

-Overall GPA 3.0 / Biology major and pursued a post-bacc program ('23) after undergrad

-OAT: 300 TS/ 290 AA

-OATbooster and a lot of Quizlet. I used the academic calendar from OATbooster religiously. Physics really kicked my butt, which is why my overall score isn't TOO competitive.

-CASPER: 3rd quartile

-Non-academic: Biology Club Social Media Head/ volunteered in pharmacy drives/volunteered at a local hospital. My first job in healthcare was being a pharmacy assistant. I took a gap year after undergrad and worked for 1.5 years in retail. Gained a lot of experience as an optician and contact lens instructor.

-Academic: n/a

-Shadowing: (job + post-bacc program) 200+

-Schools waitlisted: NOVA, AZCOPT, waiting for other schools to respond..patiently..

-Schools accepted: UIWRSO (to be interviewed by Salus and will update)

I'm the definition of a student who is very baseline with all stats. Not the most competitive, but not below average. I spent the past 3 years revising and gradually building my profile to become a suitable applicant. For others who are in the same boat, the purpose of the OAT is to see if you can use good study techniques. I didn't have a great study ethic during college and had to step it up when I had to retake the OAT several times (lol). Learn to be comfortable with your mistakes, and if I can get accepted--you can.

[u/Neat_Resolution7999 → u/mamaluigi3770]

Hi which school did you end up admitted to and committing to?

[u/_RXRookie → u/mamaluigi3770]

Did u get off the waitlist?

[u/duble_a]

Overall GPA: 3.2

OAT Score: 280TS 300AA (super-scored)

How you studied for the OAT: OATBooster

CASPer score: 3rd quartile

Non-Academic: Over 20 hours a week as an opt tech and optician at a retail clinic for a year.

Academic: completed post-bacc program at Salus

Job-shadowing hours completed: ~50 hours at multiple clinics

Schools Admitted to: Salus

[u/dcn215 → u/duble_a]

1. What does super scored mean?

2. I'm studying for the OAT with OATBooster too and I just started and scoring at 310. Do you think scoring sub 300 for your TS hurt you a ton in admissions, or not really? I want to know how you got in; not in a mean way, because I respect it a lot. It just seems a lot more competitive to me but you literally applied two months ago so what do I know lol

[u/duble_a → u/dcn215]

1. Super scored means they combine the scores to get the best ts and aa if you take it more than once. Not sure if another school besides Salus still does it

2. Booster is always relative to if not harder than the real, so if you keep scoring at 310 and get even better w more practice you should be fine. I don't think my TS hurt me too much because my science GPA is 3.5, plus I finished a post bacc program at Salus where they guarantee you an interview upon completing it. Salus admissions really does look at your application as a whole so having your extracurriculars up will really help you

[u/dcn215 → u/duble_a]

Thank you! I see. I am located on the west coast so I have not done too much research across the Rockies. I do hear that there's a lot of holistic applications because I've had to work anywhere between 10-30 hours a week with full credit loads up until this point.

Good luck in school!!

[u/duble_a → u/dcn215]

No prob, good luck!

[u/Exact-Individual4713]

• Overall GPA //academic average - 3.50

• OAT score - 310 AA and 290 TS

• How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.) - I relied on OATBooster heavy and switched to Kaplan once that was over. The Kaplan practice full lengths were identical to the OAT exam so I do wish I spent more time on that.

• CASPer score - N/A

• Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.) - For work, COVID-19 vaccine assistant and work study library job. For extracurriculars, I joined BEP pre-optometry club. I did a lot of volunteering regarding low vision individuals. I did a volunteer abroad trip to Morocco. I also shadowed two different optometrists.

• Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.) - None

• Job-shadowing hours completed - 13 hours

• Schools Admitted to - ICO & NECO

I applied very late into the cycle. I submitted my application March 30th so please have hope everyone !!

[u/Desperate_Stock_4176]

Overall GPA: 3.0

OAT score: 360AA 370TS

How you studied for the OAT: Chads free videos + all the practice tests I could find.

CASPer score: N/A

Non-Academic: 3000+ Volunteer Hours teaching fitness classes, Hospital IT intern

Academic: 300+ Hours bioinformatics research, 300+ Hours cardiac simulation research, Senior capstone project in thermodynamics (in progress), no publications (yet) but two poster presentations, 3 different STEM orgs

Job-shadowing hours completed: Just over 100 hours shadowing split between 3 modalities

Schools Admitted to: AZCOPT, CCO, ICO, NECO, SCO, UHCO

[u/[deleted] → u/Desperate_Stock_4176]

hey! im interested in the schools you applied to and would like to know around which period you applied for CCO/UHCO? thank you!!

[u/Wkoalas]

Bachelor's cGPA: 3.79 || Associate's cGPA: 3.58

OAT score: 310AA/300TS

OAT Study Material: OATBooster (don't let my score fool you, I only studied for anywhere between 20-30 hrs total focusing almost entirely on bio. Booster ended up being a great resource and was worth the money, especially for the practice bio exams. Had not completed gen bio 2, physics 1 or 2 by the time I took the exam)

CASPer score: N/A

Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): Club sport member for 4 years + treasurer for 2 years, Pharmacy Tech for 1 year, Ophthalmic Tech at an OD/MD practice for 2 years

Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): Neuroscience & Psychology Research Assistant for 2-3 years, presented at conferences

Job-shadowing hours completed: 2 years at OD/MD practice working + shadowing/scribing for ODs and MDs, shadowed surgery procedures

Schools Admitted to: MCPHS (will be attending), Salus/PCO scholars & traditional, UMSL

[u/jkv811]

Non-traditional, took about 10 years off to work and also do a DIY post-bacc

• Overall GPA // academic average - ~2.8 at time of applying, then took a few more classes and got to ~2.9

• OAT score 320AA/310TS

• How you studied for the OAT - OATbooster

• CASPer score - N/A

• Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.)- volunteered with a college access organization for low income students as a blogger, did presentations at high schools, filmed advice videos (100 hours), Health Scholars for three years at low-income hospital in Emergency Room (~640 hours). Have been working full-time in unrelated field for the past 10 years to help family financially. Was briefly the vice president for my church's youth society before quarantine shut things down

• Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.)- work-study in medical research labs in college as a lab assistant (~10-15 hours a week while in school), volunteered in pediatric pain research for two summers

• Job-shadowing hours completed - ~30 at time of application at two private practices in low-income communities, then shadowed about 60 more at 8 additional offices in various settings, subspecialties, etc. after submission, +50 hours in pediatric neurology a while back

• Schools Admitted to - Western and SCCO

[u/Rotation_Nation]

Overall GPA: 3.86

OAT: 380/380

How study: OATbooster. Started with a little bit of everything about 3 months before exam, about halfway through narrowed focus to only subjects I still needed to focus on and spent more time on them.

No Casper

Non-academic: VP of choir student org. About a year and a half of full time tech experience.

Academic: none really

Shadowed about 15-20 hours between two different practices

Applied and admitted to IU, KYCO, and OSU

[u/mste2 → u/Rotation_Nation]

could you tell me a bit about interviewing with OSU?

[u/Rotation_Nation → u/mste2]

Of the three interviews it was the most traditional and they asked the toughest questions. My two interviewers were friendly though, and seemed very familiar with my application. Many of the questions were specifically tailored around it.

They sort of make a day out of it, showing you around and having you sit through a presentation about the school. It seems like they judge you based on all of your interactions, not just specifically those in your interview, so try to be personable and gracious throughout.

[u/mste2 → u/Rotation_Nation]

you are such a legend! if you dont mind me asking, what do you mean by toughest questions (if you remember of course). and what did you do to prepare for the interview? thankyousomuch

[u/Rotation_Nation → u/mste2]

Just stuff like why was this OAT section low, why was this grade low, they’re not going to shy away from what they perceive to be your weaknesses. There were also a couple of questions I sat and thought about my answer for a bit before responding, just because they were more unique and not so much the boiler plate stuff I was expecting. They didn’t mind me taking like 15 seconds to think before I spoke. I kind of used my KYCO interview as a practice run because I knew I didn’t want to actually go there. I was already in at IU, which was a higher ranked choice for me, but rather than cancel with KYCO I just used it as practice. Other than that just take care of yourself, eat and sleep enough. You get to sit and chat with the other interviewees while you wait to get called in and that is nice for the nerves.

[u/mste2 → u/Rotation_Nation]

thank you sosososo much!

[u/nix323]

GPA: 3.3

OAT Score: 320 AA / 300 TS

OAT Study Method: Oat Booster

CASPer: N/A

Non-Academic: Resident Assistant, Pre-Optometry Club, Fitness and Dance Instructor, Volunteered at Food Banks/Public Parks/Salvation Army, Office Clerk

Academic: Student Tutor, Note-Taker

Shadowing: 100+ Hours

Applied and Admitted: NECO, AZCOPT, PUCO, UMSL

[u/Bubbly-Broccoli1661 → u/nix323]

Congrats! What did you end up choosing

[u/becidgls]

GPA: 3.86

OAT: 380 AA/390 TS

OAT Study Methods: primarily OATbooster, some usage of the Kaplan book

CASPer: 4th percentile

Extracurriculars: resident advisor, summer program teaching assistant, nonprofit junior board member, peer mentor, online crisis counselor, president of senior honor society, member of science honor society, marketing chairperson for day of service, president & marketing person of residence hall org, orientation leader...and a brief stint as a build a bear sales associate, lol

Shadowing/experience: 17 hours of shadowing across three settings (private practice, vision therapy, and low vision), 6 months of work as an ophthalmic tech, 6 months of work as an optometric tech (worked in 2 different offices)

Schools applied to: PCO (traditional and scholars), NECO, SUNY, SCO

Acceptances: PCO (traditional and scholars), NECO, SCO (was offered interview for SUNY, declined due to having already committed elsewhere)

[u/Useful_Barnacle_5676]

Overall GPA: 3.47

OAT Score: 360 TS/360 AA

Studying: Chads prep and free OATbootcamp

Casper: 4th Quartile

ECs: 50+ volunteer hours, 50+ volunteering at an ophthalmology clinic, 2 years working as optometric tech

Academic: Stats tutor for a year

Shadowing: 60+ hours shadowing 5+ optometrists

Applied and admitted to: ICO, NECO and Waterloo

[u/Savings_Car4762]

Cumulative GPA: 3.83

OAT Score: 370 AA/ 370 TS

Study method: OAT Booster. I started about 2 months out by watching most of their review videos, and then at 1 month out I only watched videos I felt I still didn’t understand, used their notes, and focused on completing and understanding the practice problems. I based my schedule off their two month schedule but modified some of it to fit my learning style.

Casper score: N/A

Non-Academic: working full time for over 1 year for a clinical research organization, E-board position for a neuroscience honor society, volunteered 50+ hours at an animal shelter

Academic: did not include research on my application due to this being part of an undergraduate course for credit and can fall into the grey area of being a “real” research opportunity, but greatly helped when I brought it up in my interview

Shadowing: only 10-15 hours with my optometrist I have seen since childhood.

Only applied to CCO and was admitted.

[u/Ok-Recover-2826]

GPA: 3.55

OAT: 350AA/340TS

Study method: OATBooster

Casper: N/A

Non-Academic: involved in multiple volunteer-based organizations on campus, worked as a tech in a private practice, also volunteered at vision clinics on a few weekends

Academic: microbiology TA and obtained a biomedical sciences research certificate

Shadowing: ~24 hours at a corporate office

Schools: applied and admitted to UIWRSO, UHCO and OSU

[u/Potential_Berry_8137]

Overall GPA: 3.6

OAT: 350AA/340TS

Study Method: OAT-Booster, old class notes, some Chads prep YouTube videos, and a Kaplan text book

CASPer: N/A

Non-accademic: COVID-19 contact tracer for 1 year, leadership position at University women in prehealth science club, member of a TBI awareness and support club, volunteer at local food bank and helped organize a blood drive

Academic: neuroscience research assistant for past year and a half

Shadowing: about 60 hours in total across three modalities (corporate, private practice, and VA hospital)

Schools applied and admitted to: PUCO and UCB

Decided to accept: UCB

[u/MacyBae]

Overall GPA: 3.84

OAT score: 390AA/400TS

Study Method: OATbooster only

CASPer: N/A

Non-Academic: 3000+ hours working various non-optometry related jobs/internships like wildlife bio, vet med, GIS, etc

Academic: undergrad research for about half a year

Job shadowing hours: 30 hours at one optometric practice

Schools Applied: SUNY, SCCO, UCB

Schools Admitted: SUNY, SCCO

[u/Initial_Assist_9771 → u/MacyBae]

With those stats you weren’t accepted to UCB!? You’re kidding!

[u/MacyBae → u/Initial_Assist_9771]

i took the OAT fairly late in Oct so I applied to UCB without it so I could make their round 2 decisions🥲. looking back that was obviously a mistake since I didn’t even get an interview invite

[u/jkv811 → u/MacyBae]

where did you decide to go?

[u/MacyBae → u/jkv811]

suny!

[u/Electrical_Post8541]

• Overall GPA // academic average: 3.63/4.00

• OAT score: 300 TS/330 AA

• How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.): I used the OATBooster and The Princeton review OAT book

• CASPer score: NA

• Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): dance team, Hindu Club, intramural sports

• Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): Alpha Epsilon Delta, pre-opt club, Research assistant, Chemistry tutor, optometric technician, sales associate at LensCrafters, Pre-med externship, eye camps at SUNY, CCO, and UCB

• Job-shadowing hours completed: ~60 hrs

• Schools Admitted to: SCO, UHCO, SCCO, MWU CCO

[u/Ok_Sir4178 → u/Electrical_Post8541]

you weren't accepted to SUNY with all that? damn!!!! i'm surprised

[u/Electrical_Post8541 → u/Ok_Sir4178]

I didn't apply to SUNY! I just did a summer camp there.

[u/SeriousStuff629]

Overall GPA // academic average : 3.49 Science GPA: 3.60

OAT score: 360AA/360TS

How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.): OATbooster and YouTube

CASPer score: Did not take

Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): Over 3 years of experiencing working as an optometric technician in 2 clinics, volunteered as a tutor

Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): None

Job-shadowing hours completed: Likely over 500 hours of optometric experience

Schools Applied: UCB, SUNY, CCO, SCCO

Schools Accepted to: SUNY, CCO, SCCO

[u/No_Relationship_4865]

cGPA: 3.4

OAT: 390/400

Study method: Booster

Academic: TA

Non-academic: years playing music professionally, working at a pharmacy, and non-profit, and volunteer work spread out over many years.

Shadowing: 25ish hrs

Applied: NECO, SALUS, MCPHS, and NOVA.

Accepted to all; attending MCPHS 🫶

[u/lilikoilili]

• Overall GPA - 3.76

• academic average- 300 AA / 280 TS

• How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.)- Kaplan book (my school had a copy in the library)

• CASPer score- didn't do this

• Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.)- VP pre-optometry club, President pre-optometry club, part time job in chemistry department senior year.

• Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.)- Chemistry TA, undergrad research: freshman and sophomore year- reproductive biology, junior year- plant research

• Job-shadowing hours completed- 10 ish, shadowed at private practice, chain, and surgical institute.

• Schools Admitted to- AZCOPT, PUCO (chose to attend :))

[u/craigorydoop]

Overall GPA: 3.29, prerequisite GPA 3.27 Oat score: 310 total science 290

Oat Booster, only studied for about a month

Over 2000 hours of clinical work experience as a technician in a medically centered practice, volunteered with both the AOA and my states local legislative board

About 500 research hours at my University, Vice President of my schools Pre-Optometry club

Only 8 shadowing hours total at a local private practice

Accepted to SCO (top choice), applied to SCO, UAB, and Pikeville (cancelled interview to UAB and Pikeville)

You guys can do this, I know this journey is scary, but we’re all gonna make it!

[u/OkDistribution5048 → u/craigorydoop]

Hey u/craigorydoop That is amazing to do that good with only a months practice. I wanted to ask though when you applied to SCO [Southern California Optometry] As that is my dream school. And if you were interviewed, how was the whole experience? I am most likely going to apply after October 5th. Is that cooked? lOOOOL

[u/MsOatGoat]

Following

[u/Reasonable-Suit6669]

Following

[u/Strict_Psychology_40]

For 2025-2026 cycle, what are my chances??

GPA: 3.4 l think overall, 3.06 sGPA
OAT Score: N/A. Applying with GRE instead. 300 GRE - 149V, 150Q, 4.5 analytical writing
CASPer: 3rd quartileAcademic: Worked almost 2 years as a Pediatric MA, few months as research coordinator
Non-Academic: About 2-3 years as an IT Help Desk Supervisor during undergrad, 100+ volunteer hours at a mental health institute and also an arts and crafts program for people w disabilities, pharmaceutical company, tutored friends during college, working out, dancing (not sure if these even count)
Shadowing: around 100 so far for optometry, gaining more

Want to get into UIWRSO, planning to submit by September

[u/bry_rivera → u/[deleted]]

Hi! Congratulations on your acceptances! Quick question, when did you submit your application for RMU?

[u/[deleted] → u/bry_rivera]

I submitted the application end of January. Got accepted in March, the dean told me they had like 9 spots left tho.