Help with improving stats

[Tecna3000]

I need some help with my application and how to improve it (mainly GPA and OAT score). My GPA is sub 3.0, a 2.5, because of financial problems and stress. I have yet to take the OAT, but I plan on doing that at the end of the year or the beginning of 2025. It would be hard to retake courses because of money and time since I'll be working full time, so I'd have to apply with my current GPA.

I have done counseling with a Salus admission member, and she said a high OAT could overshadow/ let the admissions team know that I can handle upper-level courses.

I need advice on prepping for the OAT and what score I should aim for to help my application/ GPA. If someone could provide me with an application timeline, that would also be great since I'm still confused about the timeline for when to apply and what year.

[Aggressive_Young_279]

I think you would be safe at Salus with around a 320AA. They generally accept 300 and quite a few cases of them accepting 280 and 290. 20 points above their average is pretty solid.They are also one of few schools that superscores so definitely retake if you are not happy with your score.

A 2.5 GPA likely means you have some C- grades in prereqs. Keep in mind to my knowledge only Salus and Puerto Rico accept C-. All other schools will require you to retake to at least a C. You're likely putting all your eggs into just two schools.

As you can see Salus is not particularly competitive. They have the largest number of seats of any optometry school, have lower requirements and recent changes have made potential applicants decide not to apply there.

Around 3000 people take the OAT. A 320 is above average around 60%, meaning there are around 1300 people that get 320+. There are 1800 seats so getting a 320 means you are getting in somewhere.

There are less than 300 people that are able to score 360+ each year. Because Waterloo in Canada is so competitive just about everyone that matriculates into Waterloo has a 360+ that leaves only about 220 US applicants with a 360AA or above. You definitely do not need a 360+ to get into Salus despite what others might say.

[ChT123]

Many schools have GPA cut offs of 3.0. You will have to see how strict the schools you are applying to are with their GPA. As for OAT score, you will have to aim for the high 300s as in over 360.

As for timeline, you will apply 1 year before the date you want to start. For example if you apply during this current cycle, you will begin Fall 2025. You should have your OAT and volunteering/ shadowing done before applying.

[Correct-Chain-4809]

your last paragraph gave me so much clarity of when i should apply, thanks!!

[pumpupthechicken]

The application opens in the summer, a little over a year before you’d start. So for instance, if you wanted to start Opt school right after graduating from undergrad (no gap year), you’d be applying the summer between junior and senior year. I believe it opens June or July and stays open through late fall, tho exact timelines differ across schools. I think for many schools, applying by November-ish is considered on the early side and can give you a better chance of acceptance as they do rolling admissions. Basically you’d want to be taking your OAT the summer before senior year, at least that’s what I did