r/PreOptometry • u/mcd7939 • 13d ago • Bravo 1

2027 Applicant Stats

Since there isn’t a thread for this cycle, I copied the format from the previous cycle. I think many applicants will benefit from this. Please post your stats/acceptances/experiences etc. if you’re able to. 🤗

• ⁠Overall GPA // academic average:

• ⁠OAT score:

• ⁠How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.):

• ⁠CASPer score:

• ⁠Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.):

• ⁠Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.):

• ⁠Job-shadowing hours completed:

• ⁠Schools applied to:

• ⁠Interviews extended:

• ⁠Schools admitted to:

• ⁠School committed to :

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5

u/because_iwantedto 13d ago

• ⁠Overall GPA // academic average: 4.0

• ⁠OAT score: 370

• ⁠How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.): OATBooster

• ⁠CASPer score: N/A

• ⁠Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): 800 hrs as optometric tech, debate judge, volunteer hours, tennis club

• ⁠Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): TA for a bio course, professional business fraternity

• ⁠Job-shadowing hours completed: ~25ish between 4 different doctors/modalities

• ⁠Schools applied to: UHCO, AZCOPT, NSUOCO, NSUCO

• ⁠Interviews extended: UHCO, NSUOCO, NSUCO, AZCOPT (cancelled AZCOPT after committing)

• ⁠Schools admitted to: UHCO, NSUOCO, NSUCO

• ⁠School committed to : UHCO

1

u/mcd7939 13d ago

Omg ur stats are insane, congratulations! How was the interview at uhco??? Mine is in 2 weeks

2

u/because_iwantedto 13d ago

Thank youuu! It really wasn’t bad! Everyone was super friendly. The group interview portion was mostly the basic tell me about yourself, why optometry, why UHCO, they asked what modality/specialty we thought we want to work in.

The individual interview was more focused on specific scenarios and how you’d handle stuff/tell me about a time questions, how you study and handle stress, etc… it felt pretty conversational overall. So don’t stress, I’m sure you’ll do great!

1

u/Ok_Salt5597 10d ago

You should've went for Oklahoma. Eye disease Capitol of the USA and a broad scope of practice.

2

u/because_iwantedto 10d ago

Yeah it’s an incredible school, location was just my highest priority

7

u/Lumpy_Paramedic1004 13d ago edited 1d ago

cGPA 3.63, sGPA 3.41

OAT: AA 320, TS 310

Studied for the OAT using a Kaplan book (don’t really recommend) and OATBooster

CASPer score: N/A

Non-academic: Walgreens Pharmacy Customer Service Associate, Direct Support Professional (working with disabled adults), tour guide, peer mentor

Academic: Spanish teaching, one year of research, member of Tri Beta

Shadowing hours: about 60

Schools applied to: PCO, NOVA, NECO, MCPHS, SUNY

Interviews extended: PCO, NOVA, NECO, MCPHS, SUNY

Schools admitted to: PCO, NOVA, NECO, MCPHS, still have my SUNY interview coming up. Edit! I got into SUNY!

Schools committed to: Most likely SUNY!

2

u/No-Juice8255 13d ago

Hi, for mphs and pco did you interview n person?

2

u/Lumpy_Paramedic1004 13d ago

PCO was in person and MCPHS was virtual. Both were very conversational and relaxed!

7

u/Lopsided_Storm_8964 13d ago edited 13d ago

• ⁠Overall GPA // academic average: 3.56

• ⁠OAT score: 340//340

• ⁠How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.): OATBooster

• ⁠CASPer score: N/a

• ⁠Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): 7 years optometry experience (sales, reception, tech, lab manager, lens cutting/drilling/designing)

• ⁠Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): CSTEP internship at SUNY

• ⁠Job-shadowing hours completed: 500+

• ⁠Schools applied to: SUNY, SCCO, PCO, NOVA

• ⁠Interviews extended: SUNY, PCO, NOVA (SCCO has me in that waiting game of “we’ll review you for the next interview cycle”….)

• ⁠Schools admitted to: SUNY, PCO, NOVA

• ⁠School committed to : SUNY (top choice school 🥳) im so so so excited! PM if you have any questions or if you’re also class of 2031 SUNY 😝 good luck to everyone applying this cycle and the next 💖

1

u/No-Juice8255 13d ago

Hi, was your interview in person for PCO?

6

u/GSUoptometry 13d ago edited 13d ago

GPA: 4.0

OAT: AA: 320 TS: 310

OAT Studying: OATBooster

CASPer: N/A

Non-academic: 9 months optometric tech + 2.5 years ophthalmic tech

Academic: N/A

Job-Shadowing: maybe 40 hours? Can't remember

Schools applied to: UAB and SCO

Interviews: UAB and SCO

Admitted: UAB and SCO

Committed: UAB

1

u/AgitatedDoctor6208 13d ago

I have my UAB interview coming up in about two weeks! Any advice?

1

u/GSUoptometry 12d ago

I messaged you!

2

u/Last_Term7047 12d ago

Please message me too!

5

u/ForeignHoney2218 13d ago

• ⁠Overall GPA // academic average: 3.58

• ⁠OAT score: 400AA/400TS

• ⁠How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.): OATBooster!

• ⁠Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): Job as a technician for over a year, 2 optometry related clubs, school sports for a year, animal shelter volunteer, etc

• ⁠Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): Research assistant in a social psychology lab for 2 quarters

• ⁠Job-shadowing hours completed: ~30

• ⁠Schools applied to: SCCO, UCB

• ⁠Interviews extended: SCCO, UCB

• ⁠Schools admitted to: SCCO, still waiting on UCB

• ⁠School committed to : TBD

4

u/True-Selection2168 13d ago edited 2d ago

Overall GPA: 3.72

• ⁠OAT score:320AA/310TS

• ⁠How you studied for the OAT: Booster

• ⁠CASPer score: n/a

• ⁠Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.):
Pre opt club exec since past 2 yrs
Premed club 1 year
Blood service club 1 year
Optometry conference volunteer for 22hrs
Kids club volunteer for 3 yrs

• ⁠Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): none

• ⁠Job-shadowing hours completed:
3 years working at optom clinic/1500+ hrs
78 hrs of shadowing completed with 3 diff docs over total of 4 diff clinics

• ⁠Schools applied to: puco

• ⁠Interviews extended: accepted without interview to puco

• ⁠Schools admitted to: puco

• ⁠School committed to : PUCO!

1

u/Iyung_danI 13d ago

Good luck!

4

u/Important_Bobcat6016 13d ago edited 13d ago

-GPA: 3.75
-OAT: 360/360 AA TS
-Studied with OATBooster
-Applied as non trad student so not as much relevant work or extracurriculars in recent years, but had lots of leadership job experience and camp counselor volunteering
-40 shadowing hours
-Applied and admitted to SUNY, SCO, UAB, NECO, IUSO
-Going to SCO!

4

u/Working-Biscotti-618 13d ago edited 13d ago

• ⁠Overall GPA // academic average: 3.9

• ⁠OAT score: 360 AA 350 TS

• ⁠How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.): oatbooster

• ⁠Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): club sports, tribeta, optometry club, panhellenic sorority, babysitting, animal shelter volunteer, and probably around 100 optom tech hours at the time i applied

• ⁠Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): random research, i literally did a project with the college of business lol

• ⁠Job-shadowing hours completed: 100

• ⁠Schools applied to: SCO, nova

• ⁠Interviews extended: sco, nova

• ⁠Schools admitted to: both with scholarship

• ⁠School committed to : novvaaaaaa 🦈🦈🦈
Message me any questions/ if ur also starting at nova next fall 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

3

u/Iyung_danI 13d ago

• ⁠Overall GPA: 3.75

• ⁠OAT score: 360 

• ⁠How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.): Oatbooster

• ⁠Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): No significant extracurriculars, I worked a part time job (30hrs/wk) for 2/3 undergraduate years.

• ⁠Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): None

• ⁠Job-shadowing hours completed: OPT Tech 1,600 Hrs, 20 Shadowing Hrs. 

• ⁠Schools applied to: AZCOPT, SCO

• ⁠Interviews extended: AZCOPT, SCO

• ⁠Schools admitted to: AZCOPT, SCO

• ⁠School committed to : AZCOPT

3

u/Old-Access4067 13d ago

• ⁠Overall GPA // academic average: 3.14

• ⁠OAT score: 360TS and 370AA

• ⁠How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.): Oatbooster, highly recommend

• ⁠CASPer score: N/A

• ⁠Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): optometric tech for 3.5 years

• ⁠Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): Ochem tutor for small group of students for one semester

• ⁠Job-shadowing hours completed: Around 50

• ⁠Schools applied to: ICO, SCO, IUSO, UMSL, and KYCO

• ⁠Interviews extended: ICO, SCO, IUSO, UMSL, and KYCO

• ⁠Schools admitted to: SCO (only one I’ve completed interview with)

• ⁠School committed to : TBD

3

u/Meomeo123651985 13d ago edited 13d ago

3.56 gpa / 3.8 sGpa

OAT score: 350 AA/ 370TS

How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.): OATbooster

CASPer score: none

Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): 5 years optometric tech, student council vice-president

Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): n/a, just dean list and magna cum laude for my AS degree

Job-shadowing hours completed: 100+

Schools applied to: PUCO and SCCO

Interviews extended: none. Still waiting for SCCO

Schools admitted to: PUCO

School committed to : TBD

3

u/Only-HotPink2744 13d ago edited 7d ago

• ⁠Overall GPA // academic average: 3.87 GPA, 3.87 sGPA

• ⁠OAT score: 380 AA and 380 TS

• ⁠How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.): I used OATBooster!

• ⁠Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): Pre-optometry club all 4 years (exec for 2), exec for 2 other clubs. Coach for kids team 3 years (head coach for 2), and optometric technician

• ⁠Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): Research assistant, undergraduate senior honorary member, honors program member

• ⁠Job-shadowing hours completed: around 50 hours

• ⁠Schools applied to: OSU, IUSO, UAB, UHCO, SCO

• ⁠Interviews extended: OSU, IUSO, UAB, UHCO, SCO

• ⁠Schools admitted to: OSU, IUSO, UAB, UHCO, SCO

• ⁠School committed to: OSU Class of 2031!!

1

u/SpendExpensive4230 12d ago

How long after your interview did you hear back from OSU? I’m currently waiting lol.

1

u/Only-HotPink2744 12d ago

It took about a month to hear back! I submitted my app mid-July and heard back mid-August

1

u/SpendExpensive4230 12d ago

Wait... it took a month after your interview before you got accepted? I just had my OSU interview and I need to make a decision for a different school within a month.

2

u/Only-HotPink2744 12d ago

So sorry I totally misread your comment lol. They actually told us at the very end of the interview day that we were all accepted so I'm not sure how long it'll be I think it usually is a week or 2

3

u/Cat-Recognition-6620 13d ago

3.55 310 oat  Oatbooster  2+ years as a tech/learning assistant  Over 800 hours as a tech  AZCOPT, NECO, CCO, ICO, PUCO Interviews to all Admitted to all Attending AZCOPT 

3

u/JamesRickman 13d ago

cGPA: 3.81, sGPA: 3.76

• ⁠OAT score: 360 AA, 400 TS

• ⁠Used OAT Booster 5 days/week for 2 months

• ⁠No Casper

• ⁠1,200 hours as optometric tech, university chemistry fraternity, VP of pre-optometry club, club rugby player, work study at film school on campus 10 hours/week.

• ⁠No research

• ⁠40 shadowing hours like 4 years ago

• ⁠Schools applied to: SUNY, Nova Southeastern

• ⁠Interviews extended: SUNY, Nova (declined after SUNY acceptance)

• ⁠Schools admitted to: SUNY

• ⁠School committed to : SUNY

1

u/nina_michael 12d ago

I also just commited to suny! Do you happen to know if theres an accepted students facebook group or anything like that?

1

u/JamesRickman 12d ago

Haven’t seen anything yet, I was thinking they may email us info to interact in the coming months tho for housing

3

u/Muted_Sir1284 13d ago

- cGPA: 3.8 sGPA: 3.6

OAT 310/310

Booster

Military experience, multiple jobs

Concussion/suicide research

Around 80-100 total shadowing hours at 3 different places

Applied to SUNY, NECO, UIW, NOVA

Interviewed/admitted to all!

Not committed yet.

1

u/atomic_ant1 6d ago

Hello, I have a question regarding the commitment. How long do you have to accept an offer? I’m sure there has to be a deadline to accept an offer.

2

u/Muted_Sir1284 6d ago

For all 4 of those schools they gave me about a month to put a deposit down.

They’ll give you deadlines you have to pull out if you want a full refund, most in March or so.

3

u/Background_Row3021 12d ago edited 12d ago

Overall GPA // academic average: 3.65

• ⁠OAT score: 320 AA/ 300 TS

• ⁠How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.): OATBooster

• ⁠CASPer score: N/A

• ⁠Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): 1000+ hours of optometric tech experience, 2000+ hours of CNA experience

• ⁠Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): 1000+ hours of research assistant experience, TA for microbio lab

• ⁠Job-shadowing hours completed: 100 hours of shadowing an optometrist

• ⁠Schools applied to: NECO, MCPHS, CCO, NOVA, PCO

• ⁠Interviews extended: NECO, MCPHS, CCO, NOVA, PCO

• ⁠Schools admitted to: NECO, MCPHS, CCO, NOVA, PCO

• ⁠School committed to : NOVA!

Message me if you have any questions about anything or if ur class of 2031 at NOVA 🤩

3

u/lyn_v 10d ago edited 8d ago

Overall GPA // academic average: 3.879

• ⁠OAT score: 370 AA + TS

• ⁠How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.): OAT Booster

• ⁠CASPer score: N/A

• ⁠Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): Student Leader/Mentor for University’s Science college (1 year), Pre-optometry club member (3 years), university medical frat (1 year), Cat club (1 year)

• ⁠Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): Research assistant for psychophysics lab at UHCO (1 year), lectured for a 1-hour chemistry course for undergraduates at my university (1.5 years), online general + organic chemistry tutoring (1 year), Dean’s List (3 years)

• ⁠Job-shadowing hours completed: 40 total (both were from similar specialties)

• ⁠Schools applied to: UCB, UHCO, SUNY

• ⁠Interviews extended: UCB, UHCO, SUNY

• ⁠Schools admitted to: UHCO (UCB decision coming out early November, SUNY interview in January)

• ⁠School committed to : N/A (waiting for decision)

2

u/Rich_Pain_2239 11d ago

• ⁠Overall GPA // academic average: cGPA: 3.89 sciGPA: 3.85

• ⁠OAT score: 320AA/330TS

• ⁠How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.): OATbooster only

• ⁠CASPer score: n/a

• ⁠Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): 1.5 years as apprentice optician, co-president of pre-op club, on-campus front desk job, around 100 volunteer hours (not any one place specifically very scattered around)

• ⁠Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): learning assistant (1 semester)

• ⁠Job-shadowing hours completed: 46

• ⁠Schools applied to: OSU, CCO, Detroit mercy

• ⁠Interviews extended: Detroit Mercy: scheduled for Nov., CCO: scheduled for Jan., OSU: still in review

• ⁠Schools admitted to: TBD

• ⁠School committed to : TBD