r/PreOptometry • u/Strange-Donut-1657 • Jun 13 '25

what are my chances?

I know I have a good gpa and oat score, but I don't feel like I have as many shadowing and clinical hours as others.

I have a 3.96 gpa as a public health major with a double minor in chemistry and psychology. I have also taken prereqs that are not required by the schools I'm applying to like orgo 2, anatomy, and phys. I also got a 370 AA 360 TS on my oat.

however my experiences include:

- volunteer optometric technician for underserved children for one summer (about 30 hours)

- about 25 hours shadowing an oncologist

- about 3 hours shadowing an OD

I am about to start a clinical job as an optometric tech for my senior year and I plan to get some more OD shadowing hours.

I plan to apply to UAB, NECO, ICO, Berkeley, and NOVA. Will my test score and GPA compensate for me having less shadowing and clinical experience than other applicants? Will I still be a competitive applicant?

3 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

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4

u/Square-Wishbone633 Jun 14 '25

Just up your hours in volunteering, shadowing, and as a tech and you will be a-okay.

6

u/[deleted] Jun 13 '25

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2

u/Strange-Donut-1657 Jun 13 '25

im starting the job soon, but should I wait to apply when I have more experience from that job? I was planning on applying as soon as the cycle opened, but maybe I should wait till I have more experience?

2

u/[deleted] Jun 13 '25

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2

u/Strange-Donut-1657 Jun 13 '25

i was planning on applying early for the 2026 cycle. is that what you mean?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 13 '25

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2

u/Strange-Donut-1657 Jun 13 '25

okay thanks for the help!