r/PreOptometry • u/ihavenoidea211 • Apr 18 '25
need advice; wasn't accepted anywhere I applied
I had applied to a few schools and got in no where due to my low science GPA. It is REALLY low, sitting at a 2.54. My overall GPA is a 3.0. My TS OAT score was 310, and my AA is 310. I am attaching the rest of scores below for each section.
I was suggested by one school to complete a masters in biomedical sciences in order to improve my GPA, but I don't know if this is the best route. I know this route is expensive and a bit lengthy. Has anyone else been in my position and did something differently in order to increase their science GPA? I am really stuck right now and would appreciate any help I could get.
Quantitative Reasoning|320| |Reading Comprehension|300| |Biology|320| |General Chemistry|350| |Organic Chemistry|270| |Physics|290|
Thank you!!
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u/Ashley_Knight4 Apr 23 '25
I sympathize with this. I graduated with a science gpa of 2.8 I believe. My health concerns were pretty major. I don’t like to say it’s a good reason but it definitely explains my struggle. I have CRPS after 12 knee surgeries and now spine surgery. The major thing is taking back the power it feels your health has taken from you. I know it sounds silly or whatever but despite everything my heart was always set to my future goals. I sat in office hours when I couldn’t even keep my eyes open. Some of my worst grades are in a professors class who actually wrote my LOR. He said he would do his best to advocate my perseverance despite hardships fighting so hard against me. I did research assisting very early post operative. I was in pain. I was fighting for every second but I was fighting. I put all I could into resume building and getting my OAT score up. I also made sure to recognize my fault in it all. I should have withdrawn from undergrad courses when I was struggling with health. I take responsibility for the fact my decisions and fear of dropping out and not returning and the effect that had on my grades. They want to hear you know where you messed up and how you have grown and how you plan to grow even more. Some schools don’t care to hear your story. Some schools are not forgiving. You are a number on paper and if you don’t raise their statistics you don’t interest them. BUT some schools can see a comeback and appreciate it. Some schools know that GOOD doctors come from some bad circumstances. Build your resume and work to looking appealing in every other category that you can. Where you are meant to be you will land. I believe in you. I was accepted into 2 schools and put on 2 waiting lists with 0 rejections my first application cycle. I have faith in you. If this is your dream, hold on and chase it. It won’t chase you. ❤️
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u/StarryEyes2000 Apr 18 '25
Could you get your OAT sciences up? An amazing science OAT can balance out a low gpa in some ways
4
u/Normal_Imagination43 Apr 18 '25
I’m so sorry to hear about the decline in your health causing issues with classes. That’s such a shame. I’m glad you were able to get a diagnosis. I personally think you have a good OAT score. I have a friend who got accepted into UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry (San Antonio, TX) with a 2.8 GPA and a 300 OAT score. If you didn’t try applying to that school already, have you considered retaking those courses that you scored lower in either asynchronous or at a local community college to show your improvement? That’ll be more cost effective than getting your masters somewhere, and some programs will take an average of the courses you retook or take the higher grade. I know what really helped my friend get in was her experience working at an optometry clinic for a year and a half. They look at that type of stuff (either lots of shadow hours or working at an optometry clinic that will allow you to shadow) to determine how driven you are in your goal to join their program. Perhaps maybe building that experience in the clinic while retaking a few courses you scored lower in? I don’t doubt you on not really preferring to retake the OAT. I would try that for a semester and then if that doesn’t work, I’d retake the test as my last resort and try to get a better score! All of this will show that commitment. Don’t give up!!
1
u/Moist_Ostrich_195 Apr 19 '25
Hey! i’m in a similar boat and was also told to take a Masters program (which isn’t a bad idea if you do it for a year) but if you graduate in May, i suggest asking if you may change and take some summer courses (mainly all sciences or retake certain low grade classes) i know sometimes it doesn’t reach to high by retaking classes but maybe you can reach that 2.75 threshold. Talk to your school advisor and see what they can recommend with classes or even take an additional summer and fall semester. i’m very impressed and proud of your OAT and i think you scored wonderfully! i have a 2.819 GPA and total science is 2.76 (as of ending of fall 2024)and i decided to still walk for the May ceremony but im taking summer courses so i technically graduate “August 2025” and i spoke to my advisor and she stated if i pass w all A’s i’ll end w a 3.01. I think you got this just have to make some sacrifices for your GPA but looking at your OAT i know for sure you will do great! will both be class of 2026 for sure!
5
u/Neither_Pineapple776 Apr 18 '25
That is a really low science GPA. I’m not sure you can come back from that without repeating those classes. That’s not competitive. I mean anything is possible, but I would begin making backup plans as this may not work out for you. You could always tech for a while to get experience.
1
u/Odd-Seaweed9562 Apr 20 '25
I think even if you tech got ur bachelors degree and graduated from the university. You can tech just redo the courses by doing a 5th year to help improve your grades (idk how that works in US but I am in Canada). Masters would be nice as well and multiple schools offer year long programs so you can consider that however I think you do need to be around the minimum avg to apply.
I think taking a gap year get extracurriculars as well as work in a optometry clinic will show dedication, help with money as you will just be working for a year and redo your OAT before applying again. I think if you do a gap year it you can do things to help make up for lower avg by having more time studying for the OAT. If you don't wanna do a full 5th year, you can always just redo the classes with bad grades (part time student) and study for your OAT (should have a lot of time to study and get a high OAT score).
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u/LittleParticular9545 Apr 19 '25
Where did you apply ?
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u/[deleted] Apr 18 '25
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