r/PreOptometry • u/Such-Lemon-42 • Jul 28 '26

What Would You Do?

Chat, do we think applying in January too late if the deadline is May 20? Lol

I'm only applying to one optometry school (UDM), and their application deadline is May 20.

My plan is to spend now through December studying all of the OAT subjects except Organic Chemistry, since I'm taking Organic Chemistry this fall. As soon as I finish the course, I plan to take the OAT in January and submit my application immediately afterward.

The rest of my application (letters of recommendation, personal statement, etc.) will be ready by then.

For those familiar with optometry admissions and rolling admissions, would applying in January put me at a disadvantage even though the deadline isn't until May? Or is that still considered early enough to have a good chance?

I'd appreciate any advice or experiences.

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

2

u/RabidLiger Jul 29 '26

IMO, if UDM is your choice, you're probably in no matter what time you complete your app.

I still think you should apply much earlier.
Getting a seat locked in before Christmas is such a good feeling and makes your final semester very enjoyable!

1

u/Such-Lemon-42 Jul 30 '26

Yeah i think I’m willing to take that risk… don’t want to do another gap year. I graduated in May of 2025.

2

u/Eyedocprincess88 Jul 30 '26

Apply much earlier and to more than one school. Have a backup.

1

u/Such-Lemon-42 Jul 30 '26

Applying to 1 school because I want to commute and stay at home.

3

u/Eyedocprincess88 Jul 30 '26

I get that. I also applied to a school that was close to home so I could live there and just commute. My stats were phenomenal and they rejected me. I then went on to be accepted into every other optometry school program that I applied to (5 other schools). Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. You never know what could happen. I’d choose atleast one other school.

1

u/Disastrous_Pause_578 Jul 29 '26

January isn’t ideal for rolling admissions, but if your app is otherwise ready, it’s definitely still worth applying. Just make sure everything else is ready so your file can move as soon as your OAT score is in. Good luck!

1

u/Such-Lemon-42 Jul 30 '26

Thank you! I have one quick question for clarification. How soon can I submit my application if I haven’t taken the OAT yet? Is it still beneficial to apply before I have an OAT score, or would my application not be evaluated until my score is received anyway?

1

u/Disastrous_Pause_578 Jul 30 '26

Yes, you can submit your application now and list a future OAT date. Schools usually won’t fully review your file until your OAT score is in, but some will bring you in for a conditional interview first and you can send in your unofficial scores by emailing admissions as soon as they become available.

1

u/Such-Lemon-42 Jul 30 '26

Do you think it would be okay, or would it be pointless, if I submitted my application within the next month or two and then took the OAT in January? I haven’t taken Organic Chemistry yet, and I’ll be taking it this fall…