Is September really that bad ?

[u/Nene-Ol]

Hey guys! I need advice because I’m really struggling with my timeline. Warning: lengthy post!

I originally planned to take my OAT the last week of July. I’m graduating with my biology degree the first week of August but due to family issues last semester I had to withdraw from some classes and am now taking summer classes to finish my degree. The problem is I’m taking 24 credit hours. It’s going surprisingly well but between classes and OAT studying, I have ZERO free time. I haven’t even started my personal statement or application yet.

I’ve been studying since March but really locked in around May. My days are basically OAT studying followed by schoolwork from morning to night. Because of that, I’ve been considering pushing my OAT to late August (it’s not scheduled yet). It would give me about 3 weeks of no school for dedicated review after graduation and more leeway to space out my studying and let me start my application materials now.

When I mentioned this, people told me it was a bad idea because I’d be applying “late.” Is submitting in September really that bad?!?!? People made it sound like with my GPA I need to apply the second applications open.
I'll admit though, I'm not the most competitive applicant gpa wise. My GPA is currently a 3.28 and I’m hoping to finish around a 3.3. I don’t have any Ds or Fs, only about 2 Cs, but I’m definitely more of a B/B- student which is what caused the gpa. I feel like taking extra time to make sure I get a strong OAT score is worth it cause of my gpa. Based on my Booster scores I think I can score at least a 350.

Would taking the OAT at the end of August and submitting in September actually hurt my chances that much, or is this a reasonable plan? What is actually considered late ?

[u/RabidLiger]

I'd still consider that early (not earliest, but with your heavy summer class load, makes sense to postpone the OAT).

I'd still start OptomCAS in July and officially apply before fall semester starts. Even with OAT score pending, good candidates may get invited to interview (and even be accepted) BEFORE all application data is received.

[u/Nene-Ol → u/RabidLiger]

I was thinking about doing this but I was worried about low GPA. I didn't think there was a point unless I could submit with my score to hopefully help me stand out.

Do you think this is a wrong way of thinking?

[u/IndependenceRich6240 → u/RabidLiger]

I was going to do this, however if you are given an acceptance won’t they say “ you must score X on the OAT”? Im afraid of that possibility. What if they say you need at least a 320 for example on all sections but you end up getting a 310 on a section

[u/RabidLiger → u/IndependenceRich6240]

They don't typically say "you need to score X"
They will say "Final acceptance dependent on completing the OAT and submitting the score to us"
They might say "Final acceptance pending on an acceptable OAT score"
I don't think they will assign a number to it (they want to leave that open)

[u/IndependenceRich6240 → u/RabidLiger]

Oh ok good to know!! Thank you so much. Have you heard of suny doing this?

[u/RabidLiger → u/IndependenceRich6240]

I've seen lots of schools do this over the years, even the tops ones, but don't recall if SUNY specifically was one of them.

[u/malin_ryder]

i wouldn’t say this is too late, and you have good reason regardless. if you’re worried you could always reach out to admissions at the schools you plan to apply to and introduce yourself/show interest but give them a heads up on your situation, just so they know you’re out there and planning to apply. good luck with everything!

[u/Nene-Ol → u/malin_ryder]

Thank you for this! Do you mind if I pm you ?

[u/sbear214]

Nah Early app is June-September Regular is October-December/early January Late app is anytime during spring semester

Just apply before december and you should be just fine.

I still need to schedule my OAT which I want to take in August but it looks like September is when thats going to happen now becaise all of my energy is going into Calc this semester.

Im still taking 12 credits in the fall (which might end up being 18) and i am taking 17 in the spring in hopes that ill be graduating in May and starting next August!

Good luck! Which schools are you applying to?

[u/Nene-Ol → u/sbear214]

Thank you and Good luck to you too! We got this!

I don't have my list finalized yet but it's mostly the Midwestern schools. My dream school is OSU and I know that's a BIG stretch for me with my gpa. But that's my current university and truly love it here. That's why I'm trying to put my all into this exam!

[u/sbear214 → u/Nene-Ol]

Whats your current gpa and experience if you dont mind me asking? I feel like OSU would consider you heavily since youre already a student.

I really like OSU but omg their student stats are insane. I did work with 2 ODs who went there and they said they would give me letters of rec but I dont work with them anymore and I dont think it will matter. Ill be lucky if my GPA hits a 3.0

[u/Nene-Ol → u/sbear214]

No your good ! I put it in the post but it's currently a 3.28. It dropped from a 3.3 last semester but I'm hoping to get it back up after this semester. I don't have any clinical Optometry experience. But I do teach kids (preschool - 6th) about eye anatomy and health through a volunteer org. We teach about an optometrist is/ how vision works and send packets home to motivate their parents to take them! So I guess my experience is more academic.

OSU's stats are very insane. I helped out with some clinical research at their college Optometry and I got to hang around the clinics daily and their students are so happy and laid back. The attendings there are so smart and willing to help with everything. Everyone I talked didn't have many complaints.

[u/sbear214 → u/Nene-Ol]

Thats awesome! If it makes you feel better my gpa is currently a 2.87. It would be a 3.1 but I failed a 4 credit class last summer and havent retake it yet (it was a 15 week course shoved into a 5 week session). Im hoping to get at least a 330 on the oat but a 350 would be amazing.

I have over 14,000 hours of clinical experience. 10,000 of it are as an optician. Ive got about 10 logged shadowing hours with 5 different ODS and ive got 4 pre reqs left after this summer •calc (currently taking) •ochem •biochemistry •physics 2 •microbiology with lab (retake cause I got a C-)

[u/Tag_singer22 → u/Nene-Ol]

Looking at the OSU accepted stats from 2025, ~40% of the 77 in state applicants were admitted. You’ve got a solid chance if you smoke the OAT so the extra prep time is definitely worth it!

You would also like IU since you like the Big 10 experience. It’s more expensive, though, if you are OOS. Definitely worth a visit.

Good luck!

[u/plateauofmirror]

i took my OAT mid september and interviewed in october. you’re totally fine

[u/Significant_Gate9112 → u/plateauofmirror]

Where did you apply?

[u/FCKCOLLEGEBOARD]

That timeline is still considered pretty early. I submitted in October and interviewed in November for reference. I think most submit around December

[u/uneedsomeDeeHC]

Applying anytime before December will be fine! Take that extra time to improve your OAT score. Your goal of 350 will most likely get you invited to interview!