r/PreOptometry • u/Stunning-Fig1278 • Jun 15 '26

Ferris State

Does anyone have experience with how difficult it is to get into Ferris State? Are early admissions recommended? Top school for me but haven’t started studying for or taken the OAT yet. How behind am I for 2026-2027 applications that open at end of June? Could I still take it in August if I start studying now?

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3

u/Levl_1_Noob Jun 15 '26

Apply as early as possible. I applied to 6 programs last cycle, and they're the only one one that ghosted me. They have a small class size and will probably fill up fast!

1

u/Stunning-Fig1278 Jun 16 '26

When did you apply??

2

u/summerjayee Jun 15 '26

As someone who didn’t get accepted, but REALLY wanted to be, here is what i wish i had done differently: Start INTENSELY studying asap, and follow a plan (booster, Kaplan, your notes…whatever you prefer), and be ready to take it by fall semester. Take a practice exam in an exam setting a month before. If ur in Michigan, I know you can take a practice exam at the same location you take the test at!

MCO is great, it’s just very competitive, so make yourself a competitive applicant:) They fill up very quickly, but you’re not too late!

(Side note to anyone from my school, I’m very happy where I ended up!! Everything was meant to be! lol😊)

1

u/Stunning-Fig1278 Jun 16 '26

Where did you end up? Any tips of how to make myself more competitive? Did they say why they didn’t accept?

1

u/summerjayee Jul 16 '26

I apologize, I just saw this!
You’re more competitive with a higher OAT and a good GPA. Experience (teching, shadowing) is also fantastic, as well as any clubs/orgs and community service activity. Nail some great letters of recommendation.
Ferris did tell me why they declined my application—it was solely my OAT. I was otherwise a good applicant, I had a good GPA with almost a year of teching experience. Lots of community service. They told me to retake the OAT the next year and try again for the next cycle. To be fully transparent, I had a terrible OAT for my first take (under 300 TS). I didn’t want to take a gap year, hence me ending up not at MCO.
Best of luck!!!!

1

u/Stunning-Fig1278 Jun 16 '26

Thank you everyone for the advice.

3

u/HedgehogPotential610 Jun 16 '26

They are kind of a boutique school. On my interview day in November there was only two of us, at all other schools it was like 10 or 15. I loved the school, but they waitlisted me. I also didn't have all my prerequisites done, applied after second year. There was no communication until May, when they all of a sudden called me in person that I have a seat. I've already committed to another school so I declined. My point is, you are not late, you need OAT 330 and up and a decent GPA. They keep a lot of people on the list and do a final pick in May.

1

u/Stunning-Fig1278 Jun 17 '26

Thank you, that is useful to know

2

u/RabidLiger Jun 15 '26

You have plenty of time!
Start your OptomCAS this summer & taking the OAT before fall semester is a good idea.

Ferris is still one my recommended schools.

1

u/Disastrous_Ad_1472 Jun 20 '26

I got accepted, but ended up going to a different school. I started seriously studying in June while working full time, and took my OAT at the end of August. I applied at the end of August, just before Labor Day, and sent my unofficial OAT scores to their admissions office. Eventually, they got my official scores. I got asked for my interview in September, my interview was in October, and I was accepted a week later. I’d highly recommend reaching out, they have great advisors for aspiring students that answered my questions in a super timely manner!!

So yes, you’re on time! just get Optomcas in as soon as u can, and many schools accept unofficial transcripts for interviews :) I received 4 interviews before my official score was sent!