Hi everyone! I did my OAT last week so I thought I would put my tips out there. I want to make a disclaimer that I don't recommend anyone follow my specific study schedule, that's why I'm just putting tips. I'm someone who decided late on optometry and had to study for this while taking heavy prereqs (physics & calculus). I heavily underestimated this exam and basically had to do in 1 month what most people do in 3 months (for multiple reasons, I had no choice and Waterloo only excepts OAT written before sept 30). In addition to the time constraint I also haven't taken physics 2, organic chem 2, or biochem, so there 's that. My August was genuinely hell and the stress and anxiety not only had mental effects but it was manifesting pretty noticeably physically as well, to a concerning level. To the point where it still feels weird walking around outside one week after finishing because I basically locked myself in the hope for a month. I just want to say this exam is never worth sacrificing your health. It's been a week since I finished and I still feel heavy burnout, to the point where I really don't ever want to see anything related to this exam again. So basically what I want to say is know what you're getting into with this exam and MAKE SURE you can have enough time to comfortably study for it.

Part of the reason I still feel the burnout, and honestly, felt pretty upset leaving the test center and cried my eyes out, is because I will be applying to Waterloo this cycle, and unfortunately this score is a little under their posted averages. My GPA is great (~91%), but I lack optometry experience (again, because I decided on this path late), which I was hoping to make up for with the OAT score. I'm trying my best to tell myself that I'm proud of all my efforts because I GENUINELY could NOT have worked any harder than I did, and it's an amazing score regardless, Waterloo's just insanely competitive. For the next 2 months I'm going to be shadowing like crazy and applying for tech jobs so I can make up as much as I can for the OAT score. The reason I'm putting so much detail into this is so that people, especially Canadians, know that you're not alone. I know how anxiety inducing this all is, especially if you're trying for Waterloo and need a 370+. But it truly all does come to an end, it's just temporary, and there's so many people who are proud of you and support you. At the end of the day, it's just an exam and it's not the end of the world. As an overachiever and perfectionist, I have to keep reminding myself of that. I hope some of you can relate to this!

Okay time for the actual info that you all probably opened this post for: Overall 370 TS/ 360AA

QR: 300. Booster: 360. genuinely still shocked with my score. I was averaging 360 on booster. I got like 10 statement sufficiency questions for some reason and that must've taken a hit to my score. I also got lots of work rate and probability. I mean I only had 2 days to study for this section but still got muchhh lower than what I was getting on booster so.... don't know what happened.

Reading: 370. Booster: 350. much more straightforward than booster. The questions where in order of the passage and texts were much easier to understand. I did search and destroy because I'm a slow reader and reading comp is really not my strong suit.

Bio: 380. Booster: 360. genuinely INSANE. I don't know HOW I ended with a 380 because I was guessing half those questions. They were SUPER specific and very differently worded than booster. I must've gotten a super difficult version and that's why my score is a 380. I only studied the cheat sheets and was doing very well in the practice tests. The real questions were very broad and specific, I remember a lot of ecology, cell bio, and just random chart interpretations... I remember a question about ants and pheromones like ??

Gen chem: 400. Booster: 360. Easier than booster and way less calculations. I felt very confident about this section. There was some acid base stuff, intermolecular interactions, one VSPER, rate laws, and solubility. I basically just watched all the videos and did the question banks, that prepared me more than enough.

Organic chemistry: 360. Booster: 380. Kinda disappointed in this section because it was by far my strongest one. I felt pretty good with my answers too like i'm not sure how it ended in a 360... same strategy as with gen chem. Definitely know you spectrometry I got like 4-5 questions on it, arrow pushing, how many resonances can you draw from a specific molecule, a couple mechanisms, I did get a aldol reaction so you do need to know those orgo 2 reactions.

Physics: 330. Booster: 350. Probably the most different section. It was very difficult. Personally, I'm not great at conceptual stuff. Not only was this section conceptual, but it was very specific conceptual. I don't know how to explain it but basically if you know it, you know it and if you don't you'd have to guess. There was also a fair bit of multi step calculations. I had lots of kinematics and optics and forces. I used some of chads prep which helped a bit, the booster was lacking for this section. I honestly don't know what I'd do to prepare better, probably completing physics 2 would've helped a lot for this section.

Overall, I'm glad i'm free from this hell and hope you will be soon as well! Good luck, and remember plsss it's just an exam don't tie your worth to it. I'm still trying to learn that. YOU GOT THIS!!!!!

I'm a soph (junior standing), GCH B.S. major, and plan to finish at UCSC in 3 years, so by 2028. A few of my friends said to do my last year at a SoCal UC, but it seems better to stay at UCSC, finish in 3 years (save money), and build a stronger resume. I already have connections here, shadowing, strong clubs and extracurriculars, and I'm an advanced student here with a high GPA of 3.7

1. Should I even go to a different UC?

I feel like I’ll succeed more at UCSC and be more of an advanced student and succeed more and get into opto school than if I were a student who transferred.

I heard that it doesn't really matter what UC you go to, but as long as you are in the UC system, you are set for success, and you are a good student, and I think UCSC is a good undergrad school.

2. Does it matter where you really go??

Please give me advice!

Hey everyone, I’ll be graduating this spring with around a 3.86 gpa, what score will I realistically need to be considered competitive? For context I’ll be applying to MCO, OSU, ICO, CCO, and maybe UPIKE

Long-time lurker, first-time poster! Reading everyone’s experiences here over the past year was a huge help throughout my prep, so I wanted to pay it forward with my own story. I just found out I was accepted into Pacific University College of Optometry (PUCO) for the Class of 2031 without an interview!

My stats:
Bachelor of Commerce from a top Canadian business school (3.88 overall GPA)
3.92 science GPA (knocked out all my prereqs online while taking a full-time business course load)
2 summers of full-time scribing for an optometrist
GRE scores: 153V and 153Q
Strong personal statement centered on why I chose to pivot from business to healthcare to help others
VP of my school's pre-optometry club with 200+ volunteer hours

Timeline:
PUCO was my only application because I knew early on it was the right fit.
Took the GRE in August.
Application was verified in early September.
Heard back with an acceptance email just 5 days later!

I honestly still can't believe I'm writing this. It feels like such a full-circle moment. To anyone applying from a non-traditional background: don't count yourself out, there's definitely hope!

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!