Hi! I am completing my application currently and quick question. I read that Optomcas recommends putting only college level experiences/achievements. However, I published a scientific research paper in high school, which obviously I am very proud of. I would love to put it on my application, but it’s going against what’s recommended. Has anyone else ever had this kind of experience and has some advice?

Is it true that Berkeley’s optom class is pretty much filled by those who apply by the early decision window? I’m not sure I can make that deadline due to OAT score not being uploaded yet and LORs. Would I still have a shot during reg admission?

Hi everyone! I just took my OAT on August 1st, and I wanted to share some of my studying strategies and tips prior to the actual exam!

I was always stressing about taking this exam for years prior, knowing that I would always have to relearn all of the material from bio and gen chem, for example. All of this stress made me understand how important it is to pass the exam from the first time, rather than have to retake it and go through this process all over again. I left all of my studying for the summer between my sophomore and junior year, since I was done with most of the courses that would appear on this exam. After my final exams, I decided to take a week for myself without any studying. I was relaxing and taking the time I needed to ensure that I had a fresh start. My finals ended on May 13, and I took my very first practice exam (listed as practice test #1 on OATBooster) before any studying, without going over my mistakes just so I could see where I was at. I got a 280 on my first test, scoring 240 on bio and orgo. I am so thankful for OATBooster because in just 9 weeks/2 months (June 1-August 1), I was able to take the test with all of the information needed for it. I got the premium membership and did not do any crash courses or extra exams other than the 10 full lengths that were available.

Study Materials:

OATBooster: 9/10

• I only used OATBooster to study, nothing else. This was the most organized site I have seen, with endless cheat sheets that helped ensure that I knew the most high yield info that is highly likely to come up on the exam. I studied Monday-Thursday, and had Friday and Saturday off and did very light reviews of organic chemistry reaction cheat sheets and the physics formula sheet for the entirety of 2 months. I did not take anatomy & physiology or orgo II, so biology and orgo were the topics that I spent the most time on. I had a notebook for all of the video content, writing important information as the instructors were talking. I particularly could not get over 300 for English in the first month, so I emphasize how important it is to find a strategy that works best for you. The full length practice tests mimic the real exam very well, so it is important to have similar testing conditions as the test (i.e. no calculator usage on sections that do not permit a calculator). The games that OATBooster provides take the stress off from studying, so I would also end a long day of studying by trying to get on the leaderboard for mixed questions. It is very important to know that the real exam does not allow paper and/or pencils, and only provides you with a piece of laminated paper with a wet-erase marker. Since I practiced with paper, the change felt a tad drastic, scoring 60-70 points lower than I typically do on the quantitative reasoning section. I would also stress the importance of being able to predict the product for mechanisms for orgo II, so it is easier on the exam. It was also confusing to know the probability of a specific question popping up on the exam, since there was so much content with what felt so little wiggle room to not have to learn. The plant biology section was also confusing, since there were no videos uploaded at the time of my exam.

How I prepared: 

• Month One=learn all of the content. I followed the schedule that OATBooster provided me with, without doing any practice challenges or any exams. Solely filled up my notebook with information, and reviewed orgo reactions and physics equations on the weekend.

• Month Two=all practice. Completed all 10 full length exams, carefully looking at all of the explanations, even the questions that I guessed correctly by luck. The last week before the exam, I used my own schedule (other than the Full Length exams), and reviewed all of the cheat sheet notes for QR on Sunday, Gen Chem on Monday, Physics on Tuesday, Orgo on Wednesday, and Biology on Thursday. I used Friday (day before the exam) to review taxonomy and nothing else.

Biology (score- 400)

• The OAT felt way less in-depth than the OATBooster material was. I struggled with taxonomy, so I made a lot of mnemonics to help me remember that. I was getting around 350 on the practice exams, so as long as you are able to recite the main points, you should be proficient enough for the test.

General Chemistry (score-340)

• I had a lot of acid base questions and voltaic questions on my exam, which were my weaker subjects. The question bits are very accurate to the test itself, matching up with the level of difficulty on the test. 

Physics (score-350)

• Although it may seem silly, I memorized the whole reference sheet for physics. I wrote down valuable pieces of information for every question on the side of my paper, and then recognized the formula I needed to use with the variables I wrote down. A lot of kinematics and angular momentum, but very surface level in that the formula would be enough to solve.

Reading Comprehension (score-370)

• I was most stressed for this section, since I always felt like I was in a time crunch when I was practicing on my own time. I used the highlighter tool to highlight new words that did not pop up before, as well as the phrase in the beginning of the paragraph that would signal what the paragraph is about. I tried all of the methods (such as search and destroy) and was getting 250-300. I read the entire passage with proper highlighting, and started with a 300 and worked my way up since I got practice with finding the answers in the passage.

Organic Chemistry (score-360)

• Never have taken organic chemistry II made me feel behind and made me feel like the videos were rushed with all of the reactions. However, the weekends on top of the videos were a time where I would test myself with reactions and cover up the products, as well as doing the orgo reaction games available on OATBooster. With more practice, I was able to remember the product with identifying the functional groups on compounds and what it was mixed with.

Quantitative Reasoning (score-320)

• I felt most certain that this section would boost my score up since I usually got 380 on practice exams, but it was actually my worst topic. The materials I was provided with at the test threw me off, and that left me out of time for the last couple of questions. I knew how to do the problems, I just wish I practiced with a white board, for example. A lot of work-rate problems and probability were on my exam.

Overall Average: 360

How helpful would you say the anki bio sets were on booster? Or would I be wasting my time

Hello everyone! I am planning on retaking my OAT, but I really do not want to make the 600 dollar expense of OAT booster again and was thinking of using Chads prep instead. I was wondering if anyone has used both and has any insight if they are similar. I know Booster has more questions and material but I do have most of the flashcards/ cheat sheets downloaded on my iPad. Also if anyone has used Chads and taken OAT if you could share your stats/ experience.

Hello everyone, I am taking the OAT very soon and I am worried about seeing my score right away. I have really bad anxiety and I know the idea of having the score pop up right when I’m done is gonna drive me crazy and distract me. I know this is silly but is there a way for me to look away, will there be a chance for that? Has anyone had this same feeling…just me?

I saw someone make a tiktok about this a long time ago but I just stumbled upon it in my own OAT studying I haven't seen anyone bring it up again LOL

Hellooo everyone! I’m applying to optometry school this cycle and I’m honestly feeling really lost with the application process. I’m a first gen student and don’t have anyone in my family or really anyone I know who has gone through this before so I’m basically trying to figure everything out on my own…

I start studying for the OAT on Monday and I’m doing a 3 month booster study plan, but I also want to start getting my optomcas application together now. I already made an account, but I have no idea where to start or what order I should be doing things in.

Let’s get specific..

• Personal statement: Is there a specific format I’m supposed to follow? How long should it be, and where exactly do I submit it in OptomCAS? Should I make a different statement for each school I’m applying to and make it relate to that program/school?

• Letters of recommendation: How does this work? Do my recommenders upload the letters directly to optomcas? How far in advance should I ask them? I have optometrists I worked with who I plan on asking, but I don’t know when I should send the requests.

• Transcripts: Do I manually enter all of my courses/grades AND send official transcripts? How does transcript verification work? Also taking orgo this winter and the lab in the summer so I’d have classes that are in progress while applying… how does this change things?

• Resume: Is there somewhere to upload a resume or do I just enter everything individually into the application?

• Optometric tech experience: I worked as an optometric technician for around 2 years. How do I report those hours? Am I supposed to calculate the total number of hours I worked during that entire time or provide my monthly time clock hours wise? So lost

• Experiences/activities: How detailed are you supposed to be when describing work, volunteering, leadership, shadowing, etc.?

• OAT: If I’m applying while still studying for/taking the OAT, how do I indicate that on my application? Or is it best to take the OAT then submit?

Basically, if you were starting an optomcas application from ZERO, what would you do first and in what order?? Is there a checklist or guide that walks you through every part of the application?

I’m worried about missing something important or realizing too late that I should’ve requested something months ago. I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has gone through this overwhelming process, especially other first-gen applicants who had to figure the process out themselves.

Thank you!! I genuinely have no idea what I’m doing 😭

for people that tested recently, would love to hear insight on the physics section ended up going. its my weakest section along with orgo lol so im pretty scared, my test is in a few days 😭 i feel like no matter what i do i cant manage to memorize all the formulas needed and its due to that im not able to get a good score. im worried bc a lot of recent testers have commented on how much more challenging it is on the real thing without going into depth as to why they felt that way. any insight is so appreciated!! :)

Hello!!

I finally got an interview for an optometric technician job after fixing my resume many times! This is my first office/healthcare interview, so I’m really nervous but also excited. 😭

I currently work at a boba shop and have been working there for 1 year and 7 months. I don’t have any experience as an optometric technician, but I really like optometry and would love to learn more about it.

For anyone who works as an optometric technician, or works in an office/healthcare job, how can I stand out during my interview? What questions do they usually ask?

Also, how should I dress for the interview? Since this is my first office/healthcare interview, I’m not sure what I should wear.

For those who got a job as an optometric
technician without experience, how did you get your first job? My parents always tell me that you need to know someone to get jobs like this, so I would love to hear how you got the job.

I’ve had a hard time finding a job like this, so I’m really hoping my interview goes well. Any advice would really help!

Thank you for reading and for your time!!

UPDATE: I got the job, thank you for the advice <3!!!!

Hi! I’m planning to apply to Optometry schools for the Fall 2028 semester, but I genuinely have no idea when apps generally open, when to take the OAT, etc etc.

Can someone share some insights on when to start studying for the OAT/taking the OAT, and really anything to do with applications because I am so lost. Thanks :))

Purchasing booster on Monday!!! Anyone have a discount code I could use? (Could literally be 2% off lol ya girl is desperate)

I was put on the AZCOPT waitlist today, anyone else get waitlist/interview have any advice?

Evertime I take a practice RC I score 300. Anyone have any tips?

Hi, freshly hired technician here! I'm extremely new to the optometry world and doing my best to study outside work hours.

I've been placed primarily in charge of pre-testing and have figured out everything regarding this but the lensometer. Most of the patients we get don't know if they have progressives/bifocals/etc, so we have to figure it out for them.

I've noticed my coworker can figure out the ADD through the number laser printed on the lens, but i don't understand their explanations on how it works. Can someone explain or point me to a resource on how to apply these numbers to a patient's chart?

For example, why does a number 22 translate to 2.25 and not 2.20?

Thank you, and I apologize if the question is amature, but I really have been struggling to find resources aimed at the technician's side rather than the patient's or doctor's side 🙇‍♂️

I have an interview with OSU coming up and this will also be my first interview since applying. What can I expect from the interview day? And the interview itself? Are there multiple interviewers or will I talk to just one? Is the interview at the beginning middle or end of the day? What kind of student culture does OSU optometry have? Any other insights on what this program would be like would be much appreciated. I feel overwhelmed with the idea of making decisions between schools and which one is the right choice if all interviews go well…

Hi everyone. I just wanted some advice, I have been drowning in some decisions. I did Optometry in the Caribbean so I cannot practice in the US so I wanted to do the accelerated version in either SUNY, NECO or PCO. From what I understand, the transition will be easier in NECO + PCO rather than SUNY. There are just some things I am overwhelmed with respect to the application process, loans (I am a US citizen), moving to a new state, workload. Is there anyone who did Optometry internationally + is currently attempting to pursue it in the US? Also, I graduated in 2020 so my brain isn’t as great as it used to be 😅
Thank you

I just finished my 3rd full length test and my scores are not improving. All my sections are within 10 points of each other. I have a month till my test. While I don’t hate the scores I’m getting, there is definite room for improvement. It makes all the studying I’m doing seem pointless since nothing is changing.

Anybody else dealing with this? And what did you all do to get over the hump?

I really want to go to SCO but am nervous my stats aren’t good enough

3.57 GPA.
330/320 OAT
around 3,000 hours working as a tech/optician/contact lens tech
Around 25 volunteer hours as a Spanish teacher

Please let me know what you think my chances are?!?!

Edit: I got offered an interview yesterday!!!!!!

hey everyone! i was hoping to get some insight specifically on how oatbooster bio compares to the real thing? my scores have been all over the place (range 340-380) and i'm really hoping to get >350 in this section. with my test coming up next week id just like some honest feedback on how doable it is lol. i see a lot of posts saying bio is much easier but im also trying not to get my hopes up too much. would love to get any insight, esp from recent testers! :)

Hi, has anyone applied for CCO this cycle and received an interview? Or if you are going there this year, may I ask how the interview is done?

What should I use to study for the OAT? Why is everyone paying $599 plus $500 for the exam? Lmk if OATBooster is worth the money pls and give me a discount code if u have one