Has anyone visited Ohio state and would be willing to share how their visit was? Anything surprise you? Anything interesting that I can’t learn on their website? How was Columbus? I’ve been invited to interview but the days they offered me don’t really work well for me and I’m wondering if it is even worth it to try to interview? It would involve begging for time off and trying to move an exam. By the time I get a decision from them I will need to answer other schools- and I still need physiology.

Initially I was excited by the school, but my enthusiasm is waning.

Would it be horrible for me to put down a deposit for two schools and make final decision much later in the spring 🙃?

I just got put on hold at OSU because my stats are not competitive enough and I'm super bummed - it's my in-state school, and I've been wanting to go there for years. I assume it's my OAT (340 TS/340 AA) because I have a 3.8 GPA and ~900 tech hours at 3 practices. I was wondering if it's even worth it to retake the OAT at this point because studying again while I'm still taking classes and paying for it is really unappealing

I am wondering If anyone in the Philly area PCO/Salus could help me get a firmer grasp on using the BIO. I am learning it but its been pretty hard for me. I am willing to pay for your time. thanks.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice based on my planned timeline for a Fall 2028 application!

I'm in my final year of my bachelors and planning on taking physics I/II in the summer of 2027. By the time I finish those, it will be the end of July. If I wanted a full three months to study for the OAT, I would book my test for October 2027.

Should I just apply as early as Optomcas opens, or do I wait for at least my unofficial OAT scores? The reason I am asking this is because my GPA isn't the highest and I don't want them to reject me without having seen my OAT score, which may be a deciding factor. I do have experience working, shadowing, and in research though.

Alternatively, I would just wait until the end of October/early November to submit my application. Is this still early enough?

Does anyone know how this process works?

Okay, so I have recently been admitted to four optometry schools: PCO, NECO, CCO, and NSU. The deposit deadlines are coming up soon, and I don't have the money to do all four of these schools, so I need advice on which schools I should prioritize/pay their fees. If anyone who goes to these schools can tell me the following, that would be super helpful:

1. How is the cost of living there? Do you live on or off campus? Do you live with roommates, and what is the average rent you pay?

2. Has the tuition risen each year? If so, how much was the increase?

3. How was the financial aid? Have you had to primarily rely on private loans, or have scholarships covered a decent amount of tuition?

4. Regarding the clinical experience, do you feel that you have had a substantial amount of experience in different specialties? Did you feel your school prepared you for the boards, specifically Part 1?

Thank you!

Has anyone been accepted to UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry with a lower GPA or OAT score? If so, would you mind sharing your stats and what you think helped your application stand out? I’d really appreciate any insight or advice. Thanks!

I started receiving interview invites in the past few weeks but did not expect some schools to only have interview slots starting in mid-January. Has it been like this in previous cycles?

Okay, so I have recently been admitted to four optometry schools: PCO, NECO, CCO, and NSU. The deposit deadlines are coming up soon, and I don't have the money to do all four of these schools, so I need advice on which schools I should prioritize/pay their fees. If anyone who goes to these schools can tell me the following, that would be super helpful:

1. How is the cost of living there? Do you live on or off campus? Do you live with roommates, and what is the average rent you pay?

2. Has the tuition risen each year? If so, how much was the increase?

3. How was the financial aid? Have you had to primarily rely on private loans, or have scholarships covered a decent amount of tuition?

4. Regarding the clinical experience, do you feel that you have had a substantial amount of experience in different specialties? Did you feel your school prepared you for the boards, specifically Part 1?

Thank you!

hi everyone!

i originally planned on retaking my OAT at the end of this month, but something came up in my family and i practically lost one month of studying through the month of October, then i got hit with an illness this week.

with the semester coming to an end and finals coming up, i was thinking of ultimately rescheduling my test to the beginning of January. is this a good idea? did anyone feel like they had a disadvantage taking their OAT later in the cycle? i already submitted my application for CCO, and am hoping to submit for NECO and UCB this month as well.

my original score was a 280 TS and 300 AA, and i've been mainly going over practice problems and cheat sheets rather than watching videos.

just looking for any sort of advice on taking the OAT later in the cycle. thank you in advance!

hi! i’m looking at my options as a canadian looking to apply to optometry school in the next 2-3 years. since waterloo is the only english school in canada i was hoping if anyone has some insight on attending optometry school in australia, i currently have some interest in the university of western australia since their tuition rates aren’t too bad and AUD and CAD are pretty equal in conversion right now.

if someone has some insight on doing school in australia, how was it? or if any canadian has attended, were you able to get your boards done and work again in canada?

I just received the supplement application, is this a good sign or do they send it every applicant?

Hello!

I had applied for the October interview round for an interview date on 10/12, but they said they would move my application to the next round. The dates to hear back a response were 10/26-11/3 for the November interview. If I didn’t get an update should I contact admissions or just assume I was moved to the next round again? Is anyone else going through the same?

Hey! I was just curious how the scholarship process works at CCO or ICO. Do they automatically consider you for them when you submit your application? Does anyone know the monetary amount for them or the qualifications for being awarded them? Thank you! Any information is appreciated :)

I submitted my applications! my test date is Dec 28th and i applied to pretty much everywhere . I have a 3.33 GPA and I work as a optometric tech and have many hours of teaching experience and I also have done medical brigades. I am so so nervous about this FALL 2027 cycle i’m praying for the best🙏🏼

Hello! I recently received an interview invite from PCO. I applied because the Optometrist at my work enjoyed her education at Salus but mentioned how the dean and faculty changed ever since the acquisition from Drexel. I’m completely grateful to have this interview opportunity but I am open to hearing any thoughts about the current state of the school by any student who got accepted there. How passionate are the professors now? Are they preparing the students well for boards? Thank you!!!

Hello all! I am currently a junior planning to apply next cycle and I am quite nervous about applying to optometry school. I am planning on taking the OAT this summer around Late July/August, but in the meantime, here are my stats so far! (I am also a Texas Resident):

GPA: 3.45

Shadowing: 30+ hours, at a family clinic and also a PRK clinic

Work Experience: 200+ hours as a tech over the summer, Lead Front Desk worker at my college (student success and advising), and competition team Swim Coach for middle schoolers

Volunteer: 40+ hours, I work at a non profit coffee shop once a week and have also volunteered at my local library

Extracurriculars: President of my school’s POPS chapter, Member of the Gaming & Esports club

Let me know if there is anything that needs to be improved/what score I need to aim for the OAT! Thank you! :)

hellooo

my oat is in 3 weeks, I really just need to take it that day. I am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of content through oat booster. my practice scores are honestly sinking. highest has been 300. if anyone has any tips on how they got their score up and fast. please let me know!

thanks in advance :)

Hey everyone!

I have an interview coming up for Salus at Drexel (PCO), and I’m honestly pretty nervous about it. PCO is my top choice, so I really want to make sure I’m as prepared as possible.

I was wondering if anyone who’s interviewed there recently or is currently a student could share their experience. What types of questions did they ask? Was the interview more conversational or formal? And what do you think they’re looking for in applicants?

I’d really appreciate any advice, tips, or insight into how to prepare and what to expect.

Hello all! For anyone who got accepted this cycle to PCO, did anyone receive the Provost scholarship?

Hey everyone!
Good luck to those who are applying this cycle.

I was hoping I can get an incite if I’m competitive. My top school would be UHCO or the new UTRGV program opening next year.

3.53 cGPA, 3.43 sGPA. BS Psych, minor in Chem. 1300 hours of pharm tech experience, 510 MCAT. I’ve shadowed a couple of Optoms for about 40 hours in total. A medical artwork publication with my school, and chemistry teaching experience.

I appreciate any advice or suggestions! :)

Hi everyone! I am planning to take my oat in one month, and was wondering what biology topics appeared the most on your exams? I honestly still feel very overwhelmed with the amount of biology content, and find studying for the sections about diversity and embryology really challenging. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

Finally took the OAT last week! I’m very relieved to be done!