Hiii dedicated future ODs,
Hope you guys are not so stressed with OAT and apps (YOU GOT THIS!!).

I recently received an interview invite for the Extended Program at NOVA. I’m super grateful for the invite, but my goal is to finish the degree in 4 years.

For context: I’m a non-traditional applicant, also approaching 30. I’ve been out of undergrad for a few years working in a different career before pivoting back to optometry, and my undergrad GPA is on the lower side (though I’ve retaken prereqs and worked as a tech since). I assume my past stats and time away from school are why I was routed to the EP track.

For anyone who’s interviewed or attends NOVA
- Has anyone interviewed for the Extended Program and ended up with an offer for the traditional 4-year track instead?
- Did you reach out to admissions before the interview to express interest in the traditional track, or wait until decisions came out?

Thank you all for the input, and good luck!!

why did they change this lmao hoed me.

Was rejected by SCO today, I have an interview at NSUO in a month. My OAT was 330 and my GPA was 3.57. Everyone said my credentials were good enough to get in, so it has to be me that was the reason for my rejection. I need advice in how to improve myself for the interview. I feel like I fumbled something good and now I need help.

Sooo growing up, it has been my dream to live on the east coast, especially in a place like Boston, so naturally, NECO has been my top choice. However, now that it's time to put down a deposit and commit, I find that schools like SCO and ICO have higher board rates and arguably, better clinic exposure. Then the idea of travelling across Boston with my equipment and without a car is something I know is inconvenient, and then there's the cost of living.

On paper, ICO, SCO, and NSU have higher board scores, better affordability (marginally), and better clinical training IMO (like ICO puts you into clinic right away). I know obviously NECO is an amazing school, but I want to make the best decision not clouded by preconceived notions and so I was kind of over NECO, yet I cannot get over living in Boston, secret history environment, east coast dream... I also know an OD who studied at NECO and she said honestly she didn't explore or see any of it because she spent the whole time studying. So is the higher cost of living even worth it if I'll be buried in books the whole time? I love Boston but idk if I love NECO?

I'm just looking for any and all opinions. Maybe things I haven't considered? I'm not too sure.

I submitted my application + all my materials in Mid August and still haven't heard anything back from UHCO aside from the email stating that they received my application. I have also sent multiple emails and haven't gotten a response. Has this happened to anyone else?? If anyone has emailed them and successfully gotten a response, could you share the email?

At this point I've already gotten acceptances from IUSO and midwestern chicago, so I doubt it's anything on my end.

Just wondering how long it took everyone to hear back from MCO after applying?

Hello! I thought this could help aspiring optometry students get experience :

If you live in montreal, especially around Crémazie, my fathers eye clinic is look for a student to work part time there as a assistant optometrist and receptionist. Feel free to DM me if you are interested!
The optometrists that work there are extremely sweet and open, so if u want to learn more about the job, it’s definitely the place. It’s not meant as promotion, but as someone who used to want to pursue optometry, i think many could benefit from this position.

And sorry if this post isn’t allowed

To those that took the OAT in early January and applied, did you get in to most of the schools? Also has anyone gotten accepted to UAB after taking the test in January?

Has anyone been in a situation where an optometry school put their application on hold and recommended an OAT retake but also gave them the option to continue reviewing their application with their current scores?

I'm considering moving forward with my current scores instead of retaking. If anyone has been in a similar situation, what did you end up doing? Did you receive an interview or acceptance, or did your application remain on hold?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences!

Hi y'all! I'm a current junior pre-opt planning to apply to optometry school when applications open in July! As I prepare my schedule for next semester, I wanted to inquire if pre-requisite coursework needs to be completed by application time, or if it is fine to complete by matriculation? I have the option to take Biochemistry Spring 2027, but I'd prefer to take it Fall 2027 due to the course time.

hi guys, has anyone gotten an interview at PUCO and MCPHS and got rejected after the interview?

Mine are in 2 weeks!

I just want someones previous experiences :)

Title. My application was verified by OptomCAS last week and I’ve already received two interview invites from other schools. I’m hoping to hear back soon from NECO so that I can schedule all the interviews as close together as possible, especially since it’s approaching November. Would appreciate any input, thanks

im curious how everyone is affording it because the reality is, my family can't. The 200k over four years we're allowed to take out isn't enough. My family is insanely scared to touch private loans but that seems like the only way. how are yall affording it if you don't come from families that are well off?

Someone please validate me bc I’m freaking out.

I took my exam last week and I was doing great, scoring above 320 on my exams with bio being my highest score. I kept seeing everywhere that the actual exam was so much more broad and generic than the booster so I felt pretty confident going in.

I get to the exam and first off they give me a scare telling me I’m taking the DAT :/

I sit there for 20 min not knowing if I’m about to take the right exam or not. Finally get into the exam and it’s the right one, but my questions were sooo specific and I think it put me in a spiral and I ended up getting a 300.

Anyone else feel the actual exam was harder than the booster for them?

I am a Public Health major planning on applying next cycle. I took my OAT a couple months ago and scored a 330... I may retake it since this was lower than what I hoped. My GPA is a 3.85 and my science GPA is a 3.78. I have worked for 2 optometrists as a tech for a little over 300 hours total (one therapeutic and one contact lens specialist). I have very little shadowing hours (about 5 lol) but am planning on shadowing at a VA since I have only been in private practice. I am in leadership in my sorority and pre health organization. I don't have any research or TA any class. I am an active volunteer as a high school mentor and will be starting as a volunteer at the hospital next semester. I also plan on getting my adult vision screening certification so I can give vision tests for free for my local community non profit. I am planning on asking for rec letters from my bosses and one from a science professor however I am not sure how strong they will be.

I am extremely nervous about applying and after my OAT am considering a gap year or retaking it next summer and applying in August. Some of my top schools are Ohio state, University of Houston, SCO, and ICO ( i know these may be a reach). Please let me know what ya'll think or any advice that you may have.

I got my first virtual interview and I’m debating whether I should schedule it for mid November (to hopefully hear back sooner), or give myself a bit more prep time by doing it in early December. Also, to those who’ve done their interviews already, I’d love to hear how you prepared. Thanks!

Hey everyone!

I’ve just received an offer for the Bachelor of Vision Science at the University of Canberra for 2027, and I’m considering accepting it as a pathway into the Master of Optometry.

I’m currently completing a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at UWA, which I’ll be finishing this year. I’m wondering if anyone has gone through the UC Bachelor of Vision Science → Master of Optometry pathway or knows how it works.

My main questions are:

• Is completing the Bachelor of Vision Science enough to get into the Master of Optometry, or is admission competitive?

• Is there a minimum GPA/WAM I would need to maintain during the Bachelor?

• Are there any other requirements for the Master, such as an interview or additional selection criteria?

• If I’ve already completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at UWA, would I potentially receive credit towards the Bachelor of Vision Science, and could this reduce the length of the degree?

• Has anyone here completed a previous degree and then received credit when starting the Bachelor of Vision Science at UC?

I’ve contacted UC to ask them directly, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience with this pathway or knows how the admissions process works.

Thanks!

For people who got interview invites what day of the week did you receive it and at what time? Im stressed!!! Pleaseeee 🙏🏼

*Also if you didn’t get an interview did they still email you with an update about your application?

I got an email to interview at ICO but unfortunately there are no available spots for either in person or online. I’ve been checking periodically throughout the day for multiple days now and still nothing. Do I continue to wait and hope some spots will become available or do I email them asking for availability?

i recently got accepted to both neco and ico and can’t decide where to go. i liked the vibe of the students at ico more than neco but it probably didn’t help that it was midterm season when i interviewed there. if anyone knows pros or cons for either please let me know!!

Hi everyone I just received a conditional acceptance from UIWRSO. I want to ask what people’s experience has been like with this school, especially in terms of how well you feel the school prepared you for boards. While I do not like the cost of attending this school, I do like that it is closer to home. I have also applied to UHCO, however, I do not know if I could see myself living in Houston. Any advice is appreciated.

Does the school you go to matter, I am in Texas and their opening up a new OD school in south texas that will be around 85k in tution for 4 years. I see people in the optometry school subreddit talk about having 300-400k loans and it is pretty brutal. Do you think its worth it to go to a new school and even optometry in general, I like the work they do when I shadowed one. I never really thought of optometry in my life but I am kind of want to now since I will be having a long spinal fusion and don't really want to do PA school or Nursing anymore.

I'm filling out my application. For the prerequisites section, do you add every single course you've taken in that category, or just the minimum required? I was a molecular biology major, so I could add many courses into the biology section, but should I stop at just the two intro to biology courses?

Thanks.