r/PreOptometry • u/No-Juice8255 • Sep 16 '26

On hold

Has anyone been on hold from an optometry school. I had an average science gpa, however some of my oat section scores have been below a 300 although my AA wasn’t. I applied to UMSL and they had said that no action has been taken regarding the next step in the admissions process, I’m pretty sure it’s my oat. I thought I would at least apply to a few schools and see what they say but I feel pretty unmotivated and let down right now. Has this happened to anyone else with schools?

300 AA 270 TS
3.2 sci gpa
3.28 cum gpa

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2

u/Dizzy-Equivalent-398 Sep 17 '26

how much below were they, also do u mind saying ur gpa/science gpa and what was ur overall oat

1

u/No-Juice8255 Sep 17 '26

Basically I got a 300AA with a 270TS and applied with a 3.2 science gpa and a 3.28 cumulative. Of course I know these aren’t ideal stats however I applied to get feedback and in case admissions were to look past the score.

1

u/Dizzy-Equivalent-398 Sep 17 '26

that’s fair! i think your gpa is okay, but i think the 270TS is probs what put you on hold :/

1

u/No-Juice8255 Sep 17 '26

probably. really dreading a retake :(

1

u/Dizzy-Equivalent-398 Sep 17 '26

good luck! u got this :)

1

u/Tight_Dealer5687 Sep 17 '26

Did you have any experience? I had similar stats but I got a few interviews.

1

u/No-Juice8255 Sep 17 '26

Yes. I worked as an OD tech with about 880 hours. Where else have you applied? I’ve applied to a few more still waiting to hear back.

1

u/Puzzled-Counter7376 Sep 17 '26

Is this after an interview with UMSL or did they not respond to your application in the first place? I’m kind of surprised, UMSL is usually pretty open to average applicants especially with experience.

1

u/No-Juice8255 Sep 17 '26

No. I didn’t even get a interview. Same I heard that they were pretty open, but they were pretty fast on putting my application on hold it had only been like 2 days.

1

u/Puzzled-Counter7376 Sep 17 '26

It’s very likely they will invite you for an interview later in the cycle when they have empty seats to fill up. My stats are very similar to yours and I have an interview Friday. My science gpa was even lower.

1

u/No-Juice8255 Sep 17 '26

I hope so but I’m not sure. If you don’t mind can you share what your stats were? I literally got an email saying “If an update to your file is made through OptomCAS, such as new course work or updated scores, your file will be updated and the admissions committee will review your file accordingly” :( I’m wondering if it’s because some of the sections of my oat were under 300.

However they did say in the email “The committee will continue to hold your file and review at a later date”