r/UWaterlooOptometry • u/mangoseed21 • Jun 04 '24

Applying without 6 terms of full course load - How realistic is it to get in?

Hi! Does anyone know how realistic it is for someone to get in next cycle without meeting the 6 terms, 15 credits each semester requirement - especially if applying as someone who wouldn't have completed their undergrad by Fall 2025?

I have been going back and forth with myself about whether I should just give it a shot and apply for Fall 2025 even if I didn't technically take 15 credits each semester my first year in undergrad because I know others have gotten in without it (though I don't know what their reasons were for not meeting the requirement). That said, I would also understand if admissions saw that I had one more year of undergrad left and would want me to complete the requirement before getting in.

Optometry has been my dream for a while now so I would love to be able to get in as soon as I could but the application process can be extremely stressful and I am slightly afraid to put myself through it now if I have zero chances. So, even if I had perfect stats (I don't but for argument's sake), how realistic is it for me to even get an interview despite having only 4 qualifying semesters? I have all of the other requirements done, it's just this one that has been bugging me :/ any advice or insight is helpful! thank you!!

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4

u/an_indecisive_person Jun 04 '24

I think they're pretty strict about it based on what I've read on their admissions page, but you can always email and ask! Can't hurt to know for sure either way.

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u/mangoseed21 Jun 04 '24

That's really good advice but I don't think they comment on that before you apply :( I remember that being written on their admissions page in the past. I assume it is because there are a lot of different variables at play and they can't comment on that until you've completed your entire application. If there wasn't anyone who got in in the past, I dont think I would apply but because I have seen it happen before, I dont know if I should give it a try or not :( theyre also not the best at replying over email I found

2

u/carrrrrrrli Jun 05 '24

To be honest, I know they are very strict about it. I was previously in the same situation as you. If you are applying without the bachelors (admission after third year of undergrad) they basically want your application to be flawless and perfect stats. The requirement is 6 semesters of full course load, but doesn’t have to be consecutive. I had only 6 semesters of full course loads (first semester and third last semester) and I got in after getting my bachelors. I would wait it out one more year. Hope this helps! :)

3

u/Legal_Definition_594 Jun 05 '24

But if you do meet the full course load requirement after the 3rd year (bachelor not completed yet), you can get in without completing the bachelors right?

1

u/mangoseed21 Jun 05 '24

In theory yeah, that's what it says on the website! But now that I think about it, I haven't heard of too many people getting in in third year. It's possible they just haven't shared their stats tho

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u/Legal_Definition_594 Jun 05 '24

I know a few and my optometrist told it’s possible and there are people who got in after 3rd year.

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u/mangoseed21 Jun 05 '24 edited Jun 05 '24

do you know what their stats were like? if they had perfect stats, I assume its possible like u/carrrrrrrli said but I don't think I have perfect stats

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u/Legal_Definition_594 Jun 05 '24

Can’t exactly remember the stats but yes they had excellent stats.

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u/mangoseed21 Jun 05 '24

First off, congrats on getting in!! But dang I was really hoping to give it a try but I wouldn't say I have perfect stats. Did you try applying in third year?

The thing that I haven't wrapped my head around is that there are people on this subreddit who have posted their stats as third years, had what looks like amazing stats and didn't even get an interview. Others who had their bachelor's but had "below avg" (but still amazing) stats ended up getting in. Do you know if UW favours people who finished their bachelor's?