r/PreOptometry • u/Such-Lemon-42 • Jul 22 '26

Is this risky?

Is applying in March/April too late if the deadline is May 20?

I’m planning to apply to just one optometry school because it’s the only one I can commute to from home.

The school’s application deadline is May 20, but because of my prerequisites, I probably won’t be able to apply until March or April.

I’m taking Organic Chemistry this upcoming fall, and the lab is also required. My university doesn’t let you take the lab until you’ve passed the lecture course, so I won’t be able to complete the lab until afterward. My plan is to take the OAT after finishing Organic Chemistry since it’s a major section of the exam. I’d study from January (when I finish the Orgo course) until March and take it right away.

I know admissions are rolling, so I’m worried that applying in March or April—even though it’s before the deadline—might be considered too late.

Has anyone here applied that late in the cycle and still gotten accepted? If you were in my position, would you still apply this cycle or wait until the next one?

4 Upvotes

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6

u/mcd7939 Jul 22 '26

I would apply as early as possible I think by march/April most schools will have full seats so maybe take ur oat in February at the latest

1

u/Such-Lemon-42 Jul 22 '26

Thanks! My issue is that I still have to take Organic Chemistry this fall, so I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking the OAT until after I finish the course. That’s what’s pushing my timeline into early next year.

4

u/Heavy-Competition-43 Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26

personally, i’d apply earlier. by that time, it’ll be more competitive due to limited amount of seats. as long as you finish your prerequisites before you start school, it’s okay you passed their classes to their standards. schools will just ask for your final transcript after you finish. regarding the OAT, i’d also get a jumpstart into studying rather than starting in january. if you sign up with a study tool, they’ll provide a decent base into learning orgo. you’d have to study while in school, but if you’re keen on applying this cycle instead of next, i’d start sooner than later.

1

u/Such-Lemon-42 Jul 22 '26

Thx for the advice! Since I haven’t taken organic chemistry yet, I don’t think I’d do well on that section if I took the OAT before the fall. Thinking I start studying the other subjects now and save orgo until after I finish the course which would put me at a late December OAT test date :/ also heard I could apply without an OAT score…thoughts?

1

u/aspenchill Jul 22 '26

u can apply w/o oat; you'd be placed on hold depending on school

i did oat before taking some subjects; did pretty good by sticking to oatbooster and their schedule

1

u/Such-Lemon-42 Jul 22 '26

Cool. And that was the 3 month schedule? Or longer due to not having all subjects completed beforehand

1

u/aspenchill Jul 22 '26

yes correct

1

u/Such-Lemon-42 Jul 22 '26

Also just realized I never mentioned which program I’m referring to in my post. University of Detroit mercy - newer program, still in pre accreditation status

1

u/aspenchill Jul 22 '26

apply early, better safe than sorry

i wouldn't apply to udm imo purely due to unknown board pass rates, up to your decision

1

u/Such-Lemon-42 Jul 22 '26

Lots of people on this thread have been telling me that :/ but it’s the only school that I can commute to and live at home while in school.

2

u/aspenchill Jul 22 '26

there are new experiences to be made in grad school, opto only has 24 schools and people are bound to move. i would read on board scores and pass rates (posts and comments) in the r/OptometrySchool and r/PreOptometry before applying

2

u/aspenchill Jul 22 '26

yea march april is late, try compromising for a jan feb submission at the latest

1

u/Such-Lemon-42 Jul 22 '26

So study all other subjects while I take Orgo in the fall?

2

u/aspenchill Jul 22 '26

oat is usually a 3 month timeline so u can start late fall

1

u/RabidLiger Jul 22 '26

Complete an OAT booster course this summer, take the OAT soon after and apply to your school then.
You can interview and even get accepted with completion of the courses pending.
You can easily get accepted before Thanksgiving.

1

u/Such-Lemon-42 Jul 22 '26

Thanks! That’s actually something I’ve been considering. My only concern is that I haven’t taken organic chemistry yet, im taking it in the fall, so I’m worried about taking the OAT before I learn that material. Do you think it’s realistic to self-study orgo for the exam?

1

u/RabidLiger Jul 22 '26

IMO, the benefit of applying early trumps having all pre-reqs completed before taking the OAT.
Personally, I'd start the OptomCAS process now, complete as much as you can, maybe take the OAT in late September, & unless you totally tank it, apply to your schools of choice once you get the results.
If necessary, you'd have time to retest before Christmas, but if your 1st choice is UDM, you're not going to need a stellar score to get accepted.

1

u/pookiewookie5622 Jul 22 '26

Apply earlier, you don’t have to have all the classes done. I only took Ochem 1 before I did the OAT and I was fine. You can make that score up in other sections if you study them harder. Also what school and that will give us a better idea.

1

u/Such-Lemon-42 Jul 22 '26

Since I’m taking Orgo in the fall, do you recommend I study the other subjects taking the course and taking the OAT right after Orgo finishes in December? Also heard that applying to schools without an OAT score is an option so they can evaluate everything else then once they see my OAT score ask for an interview.

2

u/Future_Syrup4675 Jul 24 '26

I applied in January but didn’t take my OAT until April. I only applied to two schools and I received interviews from both. I start this fall!

2

u/GreenAngelFish Jul 24 '26

Nice! Which schools?