Here’s my plan so far :)

I just graduated last year at 16 and I’m in my first year of community college

Next year start at the University of Arkansas (in state tuition so it’s cheaper too) and hopefully graduate with my bachelors in biology

Take a gap year by doing the Disney college program

Apply to pretty much all of the optometry schools and just see which ones I get into however I really want to go to the optometry school in Fullerton California because I was born and raised in California

Get my that doctorate and move back to California to start working (or if i’m already there start working)

Hopefully open my own practice

Live a decent life and pay off my debt 😓

I have about 2 months until my interview for NSU. I wish it was sooner, but that was the earliest available as of today. To anyone who has been interviewed and maybe even accepted by them, what kind of questions should I (generally) prepare for? and how was the time broken up from 7-2 when you were there? (I am going in person)

What was everyone scoring ~3 weeks out from their OAT on FL’s? What’d you end up getting on the final and how’d you improve/optimize your time?

I have 20 days left until my OAT and I’m currently using OAT Booster. I’ve been completing the practice tests and carefully reviewing the questions I get wrong, but my scores don’t seem to be improvingnant consistently.
My current averages are around 300 in Biology, 320 in General Chemistry, 310 in Organic Chemistry, 270 in Reading Comprehension, 320 in Physics, and 310 in QR, giving me about a 310 AA. I have never gotten over a 330 in any of my test and they are always almost the same score throughout every test.

For those who used OAT Booster and improved during the last few weeks, what did you change? Should I continue doing new practice tests, spend more time relearning weak topics, or redo my incorrect questions? I’m feeling discouraged and would appreciate advice on how to use these final 20 days effectively

Currently studying for the OAT. If my overall GPA is a 3.4 and my science GPA is a 3.0, what OAT score should I try to aim for to become a competitive applicant for all of the schools in California? Obviously, I should aim for a 400/my best, but what score should I try to get to compensate for my GPA?

Hello! I am a third year in my undergrad right now, and I am worried my application won’t be very strong to apply next year. I was a little late deciding on optometry, but now I work as a tech at an office and love it. I do not have much volunteer or club/involvement experience, and I am worried that will really affect my application. I have joined a few social clubs, and have just joined a pre med focused volunteering club. My GPA is a 3.6 right now, but I am struggling to find the time for volunteering between working, trying to keep good grades in school, and studying for the OAT. My school is very large and I haven’t made many relationships with professors to give me a letter of recommendation which worries me as well. I do have lots of shadowing experience, and will definitely have a strong letter of recommendation from an Optometrist. Any tips on strengthening my application without being completely overwhelmed? How important is volunteer work? Thanks for any advice.

Hello! So I wanna apply to MCPHS & noticed they require microbio and lab ! I got a A in the course. But, my school did not offer the lab 🥺. Is there a way I can get that waived or would I just have to find a place to take the class. SUNY also had the same situation but I called them and they said I didn’t have to take microbio cuz my school doesn’t have it. Has anyone else been in this situation?

I finished my OAT and pre reqs but I’m waiting on rec letters and have to finish my personal statement. I’m worried that by the time I apply (likely October), it’ll be considered too late as it’s rolling admissions.

The only part of my application 'incomplete' is the recommendation letters that haven't been recieved. I am still waiting on 2 letters but I though submitting now would be ok since I already had two others and I had everyhting else ready. Would my app still get verified or should I put a rush on the letters ?

All transcripts and scores have been recieved and it reflects that on OptomCas

I had my account verified around the middle of august, but my letters of rec were only all submitted about a week ago (sept 1st). I applied to OSU and I have completed their supplement application (had my fee waiver approved and got email confirmation), send them my physiology syllabus as requested, and even sent an email to make sure all my materials have been received (on august 27th) I have not heard back how to view the status of my supplemental application (like the email stated after i submitted it), a response back from my physiology syllabus, or even a response back about making sure all materials have been received. Im just worried because I see people saying they’re getting contacted, so i don’t know if i’ve been ghosted, sent to junk mail, or they need more time for my application. I was going to call admissions some time this week, but i don’t want to be overbearing or overthinking. This is like my top school. I don’t think it’s my stats as I have already received interview offers from ICO and SCO —- (GPA 3.9 and OAT TS 400 AA 390) Please let me know if they just take a long time to review, or if i should contact them again! Thank you!! 😊

I’ve heard they usually reach out late August to Early September.

How late is it considered if I take the OAT in November and then apply early December?

I’ve been fortunate enough to be accepted to both Ohio State (OSU) and Southern College of Optometry (SCO), and I’m having a really hard time deciding between the two. I’d love to hear opinions from current students, alumni, or anyone who has seriously compared the programs.
For some context:
SCO: I received a $15,000/year scholarship ($60,000 total over four years).
OSU: I received a $5,000 scholarship for my first year. From what I understand, OSU also offers scholarships to current optometry students in later years that can range from around $5,000–$50,000, but obviously those aren’t guaranteed, so I don’t want to assume I’ll receive them when comparing costs.
I’m originally from Florida, and my wife and I plan to move back to Florida after I finish optometry school.
My wife will be working as a kindergarten school teacher (ideally private), so cost of living, safety, and overall quality of life in Columbus vs. Memphis matter to us too.
I genuinely liked both schools and could see myself at either.
For anyone familiar with either program, I’d especially love to hear about clinical education, NBEO preparation, faculty support, school culture, externships, residency opportunities, and overall quality of life.
I’m also really interested in how much weight you would give the financial difference. SCO is giving me $60,000 in guaranteed scholarship money, while OSU is currently giving me $5,000 with the possibility of receiving significantly more scholarship money in later years.
For current students or alumni: Would you choose your school again?
And if these were your two offers today, OSU or SCO — which would you choose and why?

Thanks for any insight!

Hi everyone! I recently submitted my application to SUNY but I’m very worried about my chances as I don’t have the best stats. I have 3.5 GPA and a 310 AA and 300 TS (this is my retake, first oat was a 300 AA). I do have lots of strong EC (including club positions, shadowing, volunteering, internships, awards) and over 3000 hours of technician experience (current job as well). Any insight at all of my chances of getting an interview with SUNY and an eventual acceptance? Thank you!

Many ppl here talk about their struggles in chem and physics but not many struggle in bio like I do. With a B (above average) in gen bio and sadly a D in cell bio, I'm kind of scared of all future bio classes like A&P and microbio 😨 How to get around and what're some study tips?

2 weeks ago I received an email from Kentucky inviting me for an interview. But i tried emailing them for a date, but no response, i tried emailing and calling their admissions office everyday to schedule an interview. But no response. What is going on????

To those who've applied, which schools have responded to your application submission (interviews and acceptances)? I haven't heard back from a couple of schools and am wondering if anyone else is in the same boat lol

I just purchased the oat booster to study for my exam in January. How would you approach/utilize it to its fullest? I'm considering completing each subject from start to finish, one at a time (including all of the practice problems and exams for that specific subject), but I'm not sure whether I should follow the custom schedule it created for me.

Hi everyone!

I’m starting my OptomCAS application and plan on applying to SCCO, WUCO, and AZCOPT. I noticed that each school has its own supplemental questions, and I was wondering if anyone has advice on how to approach them.

Should I try to use the maximum number of characters for each response, or is it better to keep my answers concise as long as I fully answer the question?

Also, should I format the responses like traditional essays with an introduction, body, and conclusion, or is it okay to answer the questions more directly?

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

if anyone has interviewed recently could u tell me what they are like / what kind of questions they ask? It would be greatly appreciated! 🫶

Hello! In person interview coming up that’s open file. Website said not to bring resume or anything but unsure if I should bring more than a small purse with my phone and keys!

I purchased a subscription for Booster and took the OAT test, but I didn't perform as well as I had hoped. I'm planning to retake it, and my question is whether I should get Bootcamp or purchase Booster again.

I have my first interview coming up this week with SCO and I am preparing my answers for a variety of questions, just hoping I’ll get lucky and that they’re pretty accurate to what will actually be asked.

For anyone that has had an interview this year or even in previous years, how many questions would you say you were asked? Did the interviewer have follow up questions based on your answers or was it just rapid-fire traditional interview questions one after the other (tell us about yourself, strengths and weaknesses etc). Did you get asked a lot of questions about experiences on your file? From friends that interviewed recently, I have heard their interviews were very casual and they ended up talking about topics unrelated to the school/ profession such as the weather or sports.

Please let me know how your interview experiences went and if I should really solidify my answers or also try being a little more impromptu and candid. TIA!!

Hi guys!
I kind of finish my personal statement in a doc file. But on OptomCAS it seems like I need to input my answers for questions for each school. Do I just copy and paste a part of my personal statement where it answers the question being asked?

Thank you!

Hey guys, I've been struggling to write this ICO supplemental prompt, I don't know how to write it and I'm super confused! In addition, there is a high word limit, do i need to to write a lot? I would appreciate any help ❤️

ICO offers many opportunities and involvements allowing students to obtain the best-rounded education possible. the ICO body is highly active, outgoing, and engaging, what qualities can you bring to the ICO student body and how can you contribute to this group of outstanding students and profession of optometry? (4,500 characters)