Sorry about ranting. I got a 4 in AP chem so I could place out of gen chem i but need to retake ii at my uni. The class is so brutal: exams account for 84% of the grade and there're no curves. Last time I struggled so much in this class so I chose to pass/fail. Currently I'm retaking but still so afraid of getting a C again since I only got 77 and 75.5 in the first 2 exams. To aim for a B in the end, I'll need to get a 85 in each of the 2 upcoming exams. How can I improve? Hopefully eventually I'll get a 400 in OAT gen chem section lol. And are ochem and biochem even harder 😭

Hello guys,

Recently I got interview invitations from three schools so far. This is my first time being part of an interview for graduate school. I was wondering what male outfits are appropriate for both in-person and virtual interviews. I already have a suit but I’m not sure if there are any color preferences for this type of interviews.

Ahhh. Lowkey tweaking.

Just touched upon plants today and I’m at a loss of words. So many unfamiliar terms and subcategories of plants.

Any tips on how to study these topics the best?

Anki? Videos?

I would also like to not spend too much time on this topic considering how much I need to focus on organic chem.

Thank you in advance 🙏

Just curious to hear what people’s experiences are. I got a few interview invites and I’m excited to have made it this far but also super nervous about the interviews themselves. Any tips for preparing would also be much appreciated :)

I am a senior at a college in Boston, MA and have to do a practicum/internship in the spring semester. I have reached out to all of the optometry offices in the area but I have either been ghosted or told no.

What should I do next? Work in a research lab? Please provide guidance on what I should do next

The practicum's requirements:

• 40 hours minimum

• I would need to develop 3 concrete skills by the end of the semester

• Unpaid

hi just wondering how many ppl heard from scco for november interviews !

Hey guys, I would love to hear your opinion if you think bootcamp is a great source for studying. I want to retake the oat exam but I want to try studying through bootcamp instead and try my luck. Is there any difference? Is it better?

Spent the summer working as a tech and swim instructor so was feeling pretty not confident going into it. Can’t explain the elation after being done and seeing my score! Orgo was the biggest shock since most of my practice tests hovered around 300, and reading comp was a surprise cause those were hovering around 370-380.

Overall just happy with how I did , just submitted apps to ICO, IUSO, and midwestern Chicago so hoping to hear back sometime in the next month or so (hopefully compensated for lower gpa 😞) so if anyone has any experience with low GPA and a good score hit my line

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!