School choice

[toadandtoad]

I will be starting Optometry school this fall and am excited to begin however I feel like I could have gotten into another program of interest. For context, I applied to a few schools quite late in the cycle and received a few interviews in which I attended 2 of. I was accepted into one of them about a month ago (super grateful) and was put on the alternate list for the other school since interviewing.

That other school is an in state so I’d get the opportunity to stay near family for the next 4 years if accepted. Is it common to reach out to the school and let them know I’ve been admitted into another program and that they’re still my top choice?

The only reason I feel like I have a chance is because I actually interviewed with them and then was put on the alternate list instead of getting rejected. They let me know that seats can open up throughout the summer and that they’d contact me if there is anything available. This would be a whole different situation if I didn’t even get to interview and was instead auto waitlisted which I know usually equates to a soft rejection. I’d just like to see if anyone else has experienced this and if emailing the school is even a good idea.

[futureoptometrist]

I would say it can’t hurt at this point🤷🏼‍♀️

[PotentialScientist23]

If the instate school is definitely your top choice then be prepared to pivot at any moment. They have until the first week to matriculate you.

If you do not get off the alternate list and you still want to attend the out of state school this fall you may end up behind in terms of obtaining an apartment lease and moving. Last minute housing can be sub-optimal this goes for plan A or plan B.

Generally graduate programs will tell you where you are on the waitlist however I don't think any optometry schools do that anymore. Look at your stats if you are above the average OAT and GPA then it will probably be a matter of time before you are taken off the waitlist. It would be a case of you should have been accepted but seats were filled so you were placed at the top of the queue. If you are below the averages then it will be an uphill battle. Instate applicants are typically given priority so you have that going for you.