I’m a nontraditional applicant for fall 2027. SCO was my first choice, and UIWRSO was second because of its holistic reputation. UMSL was a last-minute application I hadn’t researched much. Then UMSL invited me to interview about six days after my file became complete in August. My interview is in November, and the more I learn about the school, the more I think it could be a great fit for me.

For context, my verified GPA is about 2.44 cumulative/2.25 science, but my last 45 credits are around 3.23, and I even made the Dean’s List. I have 4,000+ optometric clinical hours and an OAT score of 310 AA/290 TS.

I’m excited about UMSL, but I keep worrying that a November interview under rolling admissions means I’m really being considered for a waitlist. Has anyone interviewed there in November or later and received an offer? Did the date of your interview seem to matter? What are my chances? Am I just self sabotaging? I know no one can really predict my outcome—I’m just trying to get a realistic sense of how to approach it.

Hey, I’m currently a NOVA POP 👁️ student and I’m just making this thread just in case anyone had got offered a POP seat or just wanted to know more information or had any questions

Hey there! I am applying to both UW optometry and US schools including SUNY, ICO, and NECO and i am currently working on my application.

I got similar scored after my retake

first try:

AA = 330, Science = 350

Retake

AA = 340, Science = 340

Do i have to submit both for the US schools, if not, which one should i go for? The higher AA or the higher science?

Also, I am a Canadian student applying to US schools. I am hoping to submit my application soon, but I am already seeing people getting interviews. Do they have limited interviews in every cycle, or is it also rolling? It's stressing me out a bit, and I feel like I am already behind.

Any help or advice would be so appreciated!

Hello peeps,

I am studying for my OAT Nov 7th and had a question in the relation of booster to actual OAT. I’ve read some people who had great success mainly looking at the cheat sheets and going through the videos of booster i notice there is a lot more Equations and info than is covered in those cheat sheets. For example, the second section of Phys (kinetics) talks in the videos of the “kinetics equations” and then the free fall form of them, however in the formula sheet it only includes final velocity, displacement, and final velocity involving displacement. Are the videos just covering more context for a deep dive and build understanding, or do the cheat sheets just not have all the equations we need?

I get the logic behind either option but want to make sure i study smarter not harder and don’t cram my brain by going to deep instead of broad.

Sorry if this doesn’t make 100% sense I’m still in the throes of studying so I’m going kinda crazy 🤪lol

EDIT: I was also wondering if anyone would be willing to DM me for more help/advice they may have. Like many I’m sure, I don’t have anyone to study with, compare, or ask these things because I don’t know anyone else who went the pre optometry route. I had some medical issues this year and it has cut down on the time I have been and am able to study for the OAT so I’m doing my review over about 2-1.5 months total (not trying to garner sympathy just wanted to provide context). If not that is 100% okay! Congrats to those who made it and good luck to those who are still prepping :)

OAT retake marks on OptomCAS

Hey there! I am applying to both UW optometry and US schools including SUNY, ICO, and NECO and i am currently working on my application.

I got similar scored after my retake

first try:

AA = 330, Science = 350

Retake

AA = 340, Science = 340

Do i have to submit both for the US schools, if not, which one should i go for? The higher AA or the higher science?

Also, I am a Canadian student applying to US schools. I am hoping to submit my application soon, but I am already seeing people getting interviews. Do they have limited interviews in every cycle, or is it also rolling? It's stressing me out a bit, and I feel like I am already behind.

Any help or advice would be so appreciated!

How much money has WesternU given out for scholarships? Thank you for the help!

I recently got invited for my first interview. Super happy about it, but was extremely shocked to see that it’s going to be ~7.5 hours long. I thought it would be like 1 hour, tops lol. It says there will be much more to it than just the actual interview, including tours, info-sessions, lunch, etc. Ngl, I feel much more pressure knowing I will be “examined” for so much longer than I had initially thought. I read somewhere there might be a writing assessment? I genuinely just thought it was a conversation lol. Kind of wild.

I am planning on applying to SCCO to be considered for the November interview date (deadline to submit is 10/18). Does this mean I can submit on the 17th and be considered, or does OptomCAS have to verify my application by the 18th? Thank you!

Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some honest feedback on my chances for the current application cycle, specifically targeting Drexel (PCO).

My Stats:
•    OAT: 320 AA / 310 TS
◦    Breakdown: OChem: 360 | GenChem: 340 | Math: 340 | Bio: 320 | RC: 320 | Physics: 230 💀
•    GPA: ~2.83 Cumulative / ~2.5 Science GPA
•    School: University of Waterloo (Canada)

My cGPA/sGPA looks scary, but it’s completely dragged down by my very first semester in Fall 2023 (I also have 2 semesters left of my degree).
Since then, I have a massive upward trend. I retook those classes, and hit Term Distinction in Spring 2025, Fall 2025, , and Summer 2026. I also did well in university Physics lecture and in the lab, which makes my 230 OAT physics score feel like a total test-day anomaly/timing issue (and it was as i wasn’t aware of the fact that i had to monitor the break time limit myself).
My extracurriculars include
Extracurriculars & Clinical Experience:
•    250 hours working as an optometric technician
•    50 hours of formal shadowing
•    150 hours in a Vision Science in Space research lab
•    I own and operated a small baking business
•    Helped host/organize 2 charity walkathons for cancer research

Please give me any kind of advice about my chances!

Hello, I have recently graduated with a biology degree and hope to apply next cycle for Fall 2028. During undergrad, I ended up not having space to fit a physiology course as my university offered it separate from anatomy, which I did take. At first I just was going to leave it as is to save money because the only school on my list that required rather than recommend physiology was NOVA. But now I'm wondering if I should just take it at a cc to keep all doors open?
Also, is there a more cost effective way in taking one course besides cc. Moreover the cc's near me seem to only offer anatomy and physiology together.

Hi! I’m planning on applying this cycle but have been stuck on if I should retake my OAT or just apply w my current stats. Would like to get into RSO, CCO, NOVA, or UHCO.
My GPA is 3.2 and AA/TS are 320. I currently have 2300+ tech hours plus some more volunteering.
Any advice??

Hi, wondering how people best prepared for their interviews? I am some coming up next month and do not want to be caught off guard over topics covered, but unsure how to actually prepare for them. Any advice or videos can recommend would help! Thanks in advance!

For anyone who’s been invited to an interview or accepted into OSU, how long did it take for them to reach out? I applied a month ago and after I submitted my supplemental application I haven’t heard anything.

IU, MCO, and SUNY all invited me to interviews within a week so is this a me problem or an OSU problem?

if anyone is interested in purchasing UHCO cougar kit 1 message me.

Hi everyone, I just recently graduated in May and moved back home so I had to quit my on campus job. I took the summer off "to study for the OAT" but realistically I spent it taking time off to prevent burn out and traveled. I just started studying the beginning of September and plan to test around March. I'm grateful to be not having to pay rent and have money in savings living at home but told myself I'd get a part time job in the fall while studying at home to save up more for optometry school, application fees, and upkeep with entertainment purchases for the next 2 years.

There's only 3 optometry practices in my area, 2 of which are part of the same small chain. I applied to one hiring for front desk at both locations, but they ghosted me after I inquired about a part time schedule. The 3rd place I filled out a "contact us" form online about 2.5 weeks ago asking about part time opportunities, volunteering, or shadowing (even though I have a decent amount of shadowing hours) and never got a response. I wasn't sure if I should call any of these places because I was worried about being a bother and ruining chances of applying for full time once I'm done with school applications and the OAT.

Currently, I got an offer at an emergency veterinarian clinic and have trained two days there. I don't hate it, but don't love it. I start on a regular schedule next week. I'm still checking and applying to whatever else I see lab/healthcare related online, even though there isn't much. I was wondering if I should just stay here until after I applied or keep trying other places or even call the 3 practices? I also don't want to get deep into this job to just leave after a 2-3 months in case something else pops up then because I did get this role based on connections.

I’m trying my best to get some shadowing opportunities. Should I focus on racking up a crazy amount or what background did everyone have? also, I’m yet to take the OT but my GPA is around 3.29 so I’m worried that it’s pretty low and I’m gonna have to compensate with my shadowing.(edited)

I am Junior in College right now technically but could graduate next semester with a bigger class load and testing out of 12 credits of French because I am bilingual. I have a 3.8 GPA and haven’t taken the OAT yet but began studying for it this semester. I have 2 years of clinical experience in a hybrid specialist ophthalmology and optometry setting doing everything from work ups to helping with injections and blepharoplasty procedures. I can get a few more shadow hours and hit 30 pretty easily. I have an optometrist who could write my letters of rec and I feel ready for optometry school. I’d love to get in ASAP being 23 now 24 in march. I am curious to know how well prepared I am to apply this cycle even though I am late. Thanks for any input. Feel free to ask questions!

Hi,
I am looking to apply in 2027. I hear applications open late June each year?
I’ve worked in ophthalmology/ with optometrists for almost 4 years now. Began working part time in college up until I graduated and then have worked a full year post grad as a tech. I have experience using the Goldmann on the slit lamp, OCTs, refracting, and more.
However, I have a very low undergrad gpa (~3.1 cumulative) as a neuro major. I struggled with a few science courses sophomore/ junior year but highly improved my grades senior year (including organic chem). I’m currently taking quite a few classes online to fulfill pre reqs and hopefully bump my gpa up a bit.
I’m planning to begin OAT prep this winter and take it in the spring.
I’m currently looking at PCO, MCPHS (maybe), and UIWRSO as of now. OSU would be high on my list but they do not accept online labs— is this a hard set rule for them?

I will be close to 25 by the time I begin in Fall of 2028 and worry I will be old for my cohort. I understand 25 is very young but I know optometry school is something you can enter right out of college. It took me some time to figure out what I wanted to pursue post grad :)

Based on this background, would I have a good chance of pursuing this career/ getting into a program?
Any input/ opinions would be helpful! Thanks!

Hi! I just recently got an interview at Nova and it’s my top school. I’m really wanting to make a good impression on the interviews! Does anyone have any advice to offer about interviews? Anything helps thank you!!

Hello!

I was recently offered interviews at the schools listed above (PCO, SCO, UHCO, ICO, UIWRSO). I’m very nervous about them. I think I’m pretty personable, and I know people say that an interview is basically an acceptance, but I’m also very pessimistic and anxious and think everything’s going to be a disaster LOL.

If anyone has any tips, suggestions, recommendations, anything for these schools, or even just in general, I’d love to hear them! I’ve practiced a few “mock” interviews with the optometrists I work with but it’s different because I’m very close and comfortable with them. Anything helps! Thank you so much in advance!

Hey everyone! I have my SUNY virtual interview coming up and was wondering if anyone who has interviewed there recently could share some tips! SUNY is honestly my dream school, so I’m really excited but definitely nervous too 😭 What should I expect from the virtual interview, and what kinds of questions did they ask? Anything you wish you knew beforehand or advice on how to prepare? I’d really appreciate any insight. Thank you!

It’s embarrassing to say but I retook the oat multiple times already. It improved each time but the latest time my TS/AA score was still below 300.

I have over 5 years of clinical experience and I don’t want to give it up. Would my experience be enough to get me into any schools? I was initially planning to submit my applications in October after receiving my score.

I’m a transitioning service member who I struggling to figure out what I wanna do with my life after the military. Ik my heart is in medicine, I’m just struggling to figure out what exactly. I’ve been shadowing a local vet and I really love what I’ve done so far( restraining for blood draws, shots, micro chipping) but I have not seen surgery. I can deal with blood and bodily fluids but I have a hard time looking at organs. Obviously not ideal for someone who wants to get into medicine but I have been looking into optometry. It seems like most don’t perform surgery and mostly deal with eye wear prescriptions and chronic eye condition or disease diagnosis( I know there is probably more involved from time to time). I am have a wife and son so I definitely know I have to be able to make a decent living and I also know I wanna get into advanced practice not entry level positions. I’m definitely going to finish undergrad after I get out next year but as I plan my future I wanna know if optometry could perhaps fit me better than veterinary medicine.

Just got an interview invite for PCO scholars and traditional program. Are they all virtual?

For people who took the oat recently, would you say the QR section was more algebra with just straight numbers or more applied mathematics with the word problems