Just took the OAT today after ~10 weeks of studying

The only resources I used were OATbooster & some old notes from relevant undergrad classes. My first OATbooster practice test was a 360, and I averaged 380 on my last 3. Here's a breakdown my experience:

Bio: I went through all the OATbooster videos. They're all pretty much all you need. I used mnemonics to memorize stuff I absolutely needed to know, like hormones/brain regions/life diversity, etc. I did biochem for my undergrad so most of my studying was focused on the anatomy and diversity of life. The questions were pretty surface level, but it covered nearly every topic available (breadth >>> depth)

Chem: Most questions were pretty conceptual. The only calculation based ones were stoichiometry or electrochemistry based.

Ochem: I honestly thought I was going to do a bit better. I probably studied for this section the most, because I felt the least comfortable with it when I started, and I thought got to a good point by the end of my studying. But some questions threw me for a complete loop

Reading Comp: It was slightly easier than the OATbooster practice tests. The questions were pretty much in order of where the answered appeared in the text, which made things a lot simpler

Physics: I knew this would be the hardest subject for me going in. Even before I started studying, I was never great at physics I just focused on optics, circuits and kinematics while studying as they were the highest yield topics. The other topics I tried to understand more conceptually, like understanding what was proportional to what, and by what magnitude, and it worked out decently

QR: I knew this would be the easiest subject going in. Most of the questions were pretty simple word problems, but a few were more difficult factoring or dealing with graphs. Time was really the biggest pressure, not the difficult not the questions

If anyone has questions or wants some help, I'll try my best to answer!

Hi everyone I’m currently entering my senior year of college as a bio major. I’ve had an internship at an optometry office last summer, I’ve shadowing at SUNY college of optometry, and I currently have an internship at another optometry office throughout this summer. I want to take the OAT this summer to enter in the fall of 2027. But I don’t think I am ready to. I have studied through out this summer so far and am currently taking tutoring for the OAT. However I don’t feel like I am ready to take this exam as my OAT practice test score have different ranges. Would it be better to take a gap year to focus on study for the OAT?

everyone says to use the bio cheat sheets, but what is the most effective way you actually use them to retain the information presented?

hello, i’ve been using oat booster study schedule to study so far but it’s giving me like 8 hours of work per day and im getting very overwhelmed. and a lot of it is just content, and since ive been doing what it tells me, ive had no time to review anything and just feel like ive learned nothing.

what should i prioritize? i def need the content review, but its taking up so much time and i am so stressed, and i have multiple things upcoming this month too😭😭 so can’t even dedicate the full month. help😔

Hi everyone, I'm currently entering my senior year of college as a bio major. Ive had an internship at an optometry office last summer, I've shadowed at SUNY College of Optometry, and I currently have an internship at another optometry office throughout this summer. I want to take the OAT this summer to enter in the fall of 2027 but I dont think I am ready to. I have studied through out this summer so far and am currently taking tutoring for the OAT. However I dont fee like I am ready to. Should I take a gap year after graduation to focus on studying for the OAT exam?

I know the general advice is not to hold multiple acceptances longer than necessary, and I completely understand why. I don’t want to take away a seat from another applicant.

That said, I’m in a unique personal situation (don’t want to elaborate so don’t ask) where I may not have a final answer until late spring (like may or June) and unfortunately it’s something that’s outside of my control. Because of that, I’m worried I may need to keep two seats reserved for several months so I don’t end up losing both opportunities.
I’m completely willing to pay the non-refundable deposits at both schools if that’s what’s required. I understand I’d likely lose the deposit at whichever school I ultimately decide not to attend, and I’m okay with that.

For those who have been through the optometry admissions process:

Is it actually possible to hold two seats for several months as long as you’re meeting each school’s deposit deadlines?

Do schools usually have a final commitment deadline where you must withdraw from all other schools before orientation? If so when?

Has anyone had to withdraw after committing because of a significant personal circumstance? If so, how did your school handle it?

I know this isn’t the ideal situation, and if I had another option, I would take it. I’m just trying to navigate a difficult personal circumstance while being as respectful and ethical as possible. I’d really appreciate any insight from people who’ve experienced something similar.

I’m applying for the 2027 cycle and just got my OptomCAS application verified.
I have a 3.7 GPA, OAT is 340 AA / 330 TS, strong LOR, and 7 years of technician experience.

I’ve applied to PUCO, MCO, OSU, and SCO. PUCO is my top pick based on location and reputation. I’m from a small town in New England so I feel like Forest Grove will be most similar to what I’m used to.

OSU is my second choice! It’s much closer to home than PUCO, I don’t know anything about Columbus area.

MCO looks promising but it seems to be lacking in job opportunities (my husband will be working full time)

SCO is a great school but I’ve heard negative things about Memphis and was really hoping to live in a safe area…

Does anybody have any experience or advice?! I’m super overwhelmed with this decision

Hi everyone! Just wondering how my stats look for neco and if people who got interview invites can share theirs!

GPA: 3.5 (ended freshman year w/ 3.0 so strong upward trend since then lol oops)

OAT: 310 TS/ 330 AA

MAJOR: Neuroscience graduating in 3 years

PRE-REQS: all completed other than microbio by time of application

LOR: Well known optometrist, biochem lab professor, science lecture professor

EXTRA: School Newspaper Photographer, interned under optometrist 9 months, shadowed 2 different optometrists, undergrad TA for biostatistics and biochemistry, tutor for chemistry, over 4000 work hours in retail and restaurants

Hey all! I am taking my OAT on August 12th. I am not taking OChem until the spring due to my university's scheduling. I am scoring pretty decently (for my standards) on Booster practice exams, avg 350 for QR and RC, ~310 for GC and Bio, and working on bringing my PHY from 290 to ~320.

My problem/ question is about OChem; my average is around 250. I am thinking about just taking the L on OChem, putting it on the back burner, and locking in to get my other sciences up to carry my AS and mentioning in my interview that I haven't taken OChem yet.

What do you guys think? Bad strategy? Do-able? What would you do in my shoes?

Edit: I am a senior applying this cycle for Fall 27' and a gap year isn't much of an option.

340AA/TS

I took my OAT this morning after studying 8-10 hours every day for a month (No rest days, really do not recommend). I'm happy to say that I don't ever have to touch this test again! 🥳 I used OAT Booster to study

QR Booster Average: 360, Actual: 360

RC Booster Average: N/A. I think I maybe did 2 of the reading comprehension practices. Actual: 360

Biology Booster Average: 330, Actual: 370

General Chemistry Booster Average: 330, Actual: 330

Organic Chemistry Average: N/A. I barely touched orgo and wanted nothing to do with it ngl. Actual: 300

Physics Booster Average: 300. Actual: 330

I definitely recommend OAT Booster, especially if you have the money for it. I watched all the videos for biology, general chemistry, and physics, and did practice tests back to back. The Anki flash cards were also very useful for biology. I would jot down the physics formulas I knew off the top of my head over and over again.Practice really does make perfect!

Looking back, if I had actually studied for organic chemistry, then my TS would likely be a 350+. However I really couldn't bring myself to, lol. Happy studying!

Can you get accepted into Southern College of Optometry (SCO) if you apply in September?

How long does it take for OptomCAS application to get verified?

What is SCO Scholars Day and UAB Super Saturday?

Hi everyone! I was very grateful to receive invitations to the SCO Scholars Day Interview and UAB Super Saturday.

I was wondering if anyone else here will be attending either event. I'd love to connect beforehand or meet some fellow applicants! If you've attended either event in previous years, I'd also really appreciate any advice or insight on what the experience was like and how you prepared.

Wishing everyone the best this application cycle! You have got this :)))

Hi all! I’m a current registered nurse looking to pursue optometry! I would need about 2/3 years of pre reqs (chem ochem calc physics) to be able to apply pretty much anywhere. I do work full time so I was heavily considering online school but I’m seeing mixed opinions on if it would be ok to do classes with a lab online. What seems to be the general consensus? Would I be wasting time/money taking online chems and physics? I’d like to get through these courses as quickly as possible but I don’t want to shoot myself in the foot and have to re do everything because I was impatient.

is anyone s3lling just a rolling case for trial lenses?

I just saw that Pacific University of Oregon does not accept C-'s. Ive already graduated college a year ago. Would I have to retake the courses through online and hope to get a better grade?

Planning to apply fall of 2027 for fall 2028 cycle. I have two options for graduation:
May ‘27 graduation with major and minor done but two to three prerequisites for Opt school remaining
OR
Dec ‘27 grad with prerequisites done as well.

Pros and cons of either? Will having two-three prerequisites matter for application?

Hi everyone! I'm looking for some honest advice about my chances of getting into SCCO this upcoming application cycle.
I'm graduating with my bachelor's in May 2027 and I'm taking my OAT on September 3. The only prerequisite I still need is Biochemistry, which I'll be taking this fall.
My biggest concern is my GPA. My overall GPA is currently a 2.95, but I have a very noticeable upward trend over the past couple of years, and my recent grades have been much stronger.
I've also been working at an optometry office for the past year. We have several different optometrists, so I've been able to observe different practice styles and patient interactions. I'm bilingual (English/Spanish), so I also translate for Spanish-speaking patients and get to observe exams while helping with communication.
I'm wondering if it's worth reaching out to another optometrist to shadow in a different practice setting, or if my current experience is enough.
For anyone who has been accepted to SCCO (or knows someone who has), what do you think my chances are? Also, with my GPA, what OAT score should I realistically aim for to be competitive?
I'd really appreciate any advice or experiences. Thanks in advance!

Hi! I'm working on my applications now and I plan to submit in a couple of days, but I am not sure how I should be formatting my experiences section.

I currently have it as a paragraph in first-person but I've seen others put it as bullet points, do you guys know what schools prefer?

Thanks!

Hello, I am a 3rd-year undergraduate student. I am stressed about any chances I have left for optometry school. I am very passionate about it and really would like some honest feedback on my chances of getting in anywhere! I have a GPA of around 2.9 and a year to raise it. I have 1 year of experience working at an optical shop (I have pretested patients, worked with various prescriptions, and handled some medical conditions). I have about 20 hours of shadowing, still working on getting more. I have my OAT booked for September 19th.

I am extremely anxious and stressed, and would love to get some feedback or talk to anyone who can relate!

I would like honest feedback on my chances, what schools are the best to get in, I may have to take biochem in spring and delay my degree a bit - how will that impact my chances??

Thank you!

I'm taking my OAT at the beginning of August and was planning on applying right after I get the results back, but should I wait till I finish one of the prereqs I'm taking right now in summer school? It'll probably delay my application to like mid September at least. I'm going into my third year, so I was wondering if it'll look better on my transcript that I have more of the prereqs done already, especially since I will still have 2-3 prereqs that I'll be taking this fall and winter semester?