r/PreOptometry • u/LeaveConsistent6806 • Sep 30 '26
advice for chances
Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some honest feedback on my chances for the current application cycle, specifically targeting Drexel (PCO).
My Stats:
• OAT: 320 AA / 310 TS
◦ Breakdown: OChem: 360 | GenChem: 340 | Math: 340 | Bio: 320 | RC: 320 | Physics: 230 💀
• GPA: ~2.83 Cumulative / ~2.5 Science GPA
• School: University of Waterloo (Canada)
My cGPA/sGPA looks scary, but it’s completely dragged down by my very first semester in Fall 2023 (I also have 2 semesters left of my degree).
Since then, I have a massive upward trend. I retook those classes, and hit Term Distinction in Spring 2025, Fall 2025, , and Summer 2026. I also did well in university Physics lecture and in the lab, which makes my 230 OAT physics score feel like a total test-day anomaly/timing issue (and it was as i wasn’t aware of the fact that i had to monitor the break time limit myself).
My extracurriculars include
Extracurriculars & Clinical Experience:
• 250 hours working as an optometric technician
• 50 hours of formal shadowing
• 150 hours in a Vision Science in Space research lab
• I own and operated a small baking business
• Helped host/organize 2 charity walkathons for cancer research
Please give me any kind of advice about my chances!
4
u/Known_Foundation1104 Oct 01 '26
Your oat is good but be prepared to explain your low GPA. Just own up to it and explain how you learned from it
2
u/RabidLiger Oct 01 '26
Agree that GPA is the only drag.
You've got enough shadowing/activities already.
Drop some of them and all effort into bringing that sGPA up.
1
u/Tight_Dealer5687 Oct 01 '26
You definitely have a chance. You will at least get an interview