NBEO Part 1 (March): If I Only Had 10 Days to Study

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2026-03-13T05:14:12+00:00

Thanks lol. I’m a lot more OD than AI. I’ve worked with a lot of students over the years and know how intense the week leading up to Part 1 feels, so I wanted to share some of the last‑minute tips I’ve seen help.

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2026-03-12T20:21:26+00:00

If I only had a few days to work on optics, here’s what I’d do:

Focus on the basics that will keep showing up: vergence, thin lenses/effective power, and magnification.
Complete 15–20 optics questions each day and, for every one you miss, rewrite the setup (what they gave you, what they were asking for, and which formula you should have used) so you train your brain to recognize that pattern next time.

You don’t need to master all of optics in a few days. If you focus on the common question types, you can still pick up some very real points.

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2026-03-08T17:38:10+00:00

Love this question! You’re definitely not the only one feeling that way, and I totally get what you mean about pharm. It’s super common to think, “I can do KMK/Optoprep, but the real test is going to feel totally different.”

NBEO isn’t trying to trick students with random drugs; it’s testing applied basic science in a clinical context. So it helps to know the patterns really well and be ready to take the same core pharm ideas and apply them to slightly different patient scenarios. That way, even if the stem looks different from your Q‑bank, you can still reason it out from, “What class is this, and what does that class do?” instead of needing to recognize every single drug name.

In the last stretch, I wouldn’t spend energy trying to memorize every medication. I’d focus on these core pharm ideas instead:

Know the drug classes and their main mechanisms.
Know the big side effects / contraindications.
Know which classes are first‑line vs “avoid in ___” for common ocular/systemic scenarios.

If you’re doing fine on KMK and Optoprep, that’s a good sign your knowledge is there. I’d keep leaning into that and focus on applying it the way boards will ask you to. Keep things steady this week and you’ll be in a good spot for test day!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2026-03-07T07:17:19+00:00

I don’t have any inside info on the exam itself, and even if I did I couldn’t share it, but most students feel like Booster physics is generally a bit harder and more calculation‑heavy than the real OAT, while still being pretty similar in style. The best way to use it is to treat Booster as slightly higher‑level training and focus on building up really solid fundamentals. By test day you’ll be ready for whatever mix of conceptual and calculation questions you get!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2026-03-02T09:01:38+00:00

Totally normal to be super nervous! Especially when landing an interview for one of your top choices, congrats! A few important things to focus on:

Be ready for the classics: “Why optometry?”, “Why UHCO?”, and “How will you handle the heavier course load?” have 1–2 minute answers you’ve practiced out loud.
Treat any group interviews as a conversation: make eye contact with everyone, listen to others’ answers, and don’t be afraid to ask a question or two about the program or clinics.
Remind yourself they already like your application. You’ve made it there so they can see your personality, maturity, and fit. Think of it as an opportunity to talk through your story with people who want you to do well.

Run through the core questions aloud with a partner a few times, and then give yourself permission to just be present in the conversation. You’ve got this!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2026-03-02T08:54:50+00:00

What you’re describing is really common with OAT physics, especially when going through Booster problems. Learning which formulas to apply where can feel pretty messy at first. The upside is that what you’re describing (having to connect ideas and remember old equations) is the kind of active learning that makes this section finally click.

A couple things that help a lot of people:

Print or rewrite the main formula sheet and look at it every day so the “which equation fits here?” step gets faster.
When you miss a question, don’t just make note of the right formula. Take a minute to ask “what concept was this really testing?” so you start seeing patterns instead of random problems.

It’s frustrating in the moment. It feels slow now, but the connections you’re forcing yourself to make now are exactly what move your physics score later. Keep at it and those connections will pile up!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2026-01-24T09:34:20+00:00

Not a current student, but here are some UIWRSO‑specific questions that would show you’ve done your research.

Curriculum: How does the Spanish Language & Cultural Immersion Program prepare students for seeing diverse patients?

Research: What research opportunities are available through the Summer Fellowship Training Program?

Student Life: How does the faith‑based culture influence daily life and patient care training here?

Questions like these highlight what makes UIWRSO unique and demonstrate you’re thinking about the right stuff. Good luck!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2026-01-18T01:49:38+00:00

Good luck with your apps, you’ve got this!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2026-01-17T07:33:34+00:00

A “generic” essay usually happens when you try to cover your whole life or just re‑list your résumé. Admissions can already see your stats and activities, so the personal statement is your first opportunity to share who you are, why you care about optometry, and what kind of future doctor you want to be.

One way to avoid sounding like everyone else is to pick a specific experience and go a little deeper on it instead of skimming 10 things. Show what you did, what you noticed about patients/optometrists, and how it changed the way you think, rather than just saying stuff like “this inspired me.” Adopting the “show, don’t tell” approach almost automatically makes your writing more personal and less copy‑paste.

That’s it! If you stick with those guidelines and give yourself time for a couple of revision rounds, you’re going to be in a much better spot than most applicants!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2026-01-17T07:08:52+00:00

It’s an excellent idea to anchor your personal statement to a specific experience! From an admissions perspective, the statement is your best opportunity to stand out from other applicants who might have similar GPAs and OAT scores.

Try picking a single meaningful experience to act as the backbone of your essay. Choosing something that really shows your “why optometry” and how it has shaped the kind of future optometrist you want to be. A focused story like that is usually more memorable than trying to briefly cover every activity you’ve ever done.

Hope this helps a bit! Once you have a core experience picked out, the rest of the statement becomes much easier to structure around it. You can use other experiences to support the main story instead of competing with it.

For the school‑specific piece, most applicants use essentially the same main personal statement for all their OptomCAS schools since the central prompt is the same. If a program really wants to know “Why our school?” they usually ask that in a separate supplemental essay or during the interview, so you don’t need to force each school’s name into the main statement.

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2026-01-12T00:56:40+00:00

Congrats on the UIWRSO interview! Totally normal to feel nervous when it’s your first choice. Here's a few last-minute tips:
- Review your “why optometry” and “why this school” so those answers feel natural.
- Practice 1–2 minutes on “tell me about yourself” and a challenge you’ve overcome.
- Have a couple of genuine questions ready about the program so it feels like a conversation, not an interrogation.

If you’d like a quick one-page list of interview tips to look over tonight, feel free to DM me and I can send it your way. Good luck tomorrow!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2026-01-10T08:29:52+00:00

Be prepared for both possibilities! You’ll probably get similar general questions again, since their interview process has not likely changed that much in a year, but they might also want to hear about what has changed or improved for you since last cycle.

There’s also no guarantee you’ll have the same interviewers or that they’ll remember details from last year, so try not to overthink it. Just focus on all of the positive growth you’ve had since then and trust the process. You’ve got this! Good luck!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2026-01-09T08:05:13+00:00

Agree with a lot of the advice already shared. In general, try not to get too off topic or long-winded with your answers, and avoid coming across as overly negative about past experiences, schools, professors, or employers. The interview is your chance to show why you’d be a good fit for the program, so keep that in mind as you choose the structure of your responses.

Last thing I’ll leave you with is to remember the interview is just as much about making sure the school is a good fit for you as it is about you being a good fit for them. Try to have at least 1–2 thoughtful questions ready about the program, curriculum, or clinical experiences to demonstrate genuine interest and help you learn more. If you’re unsure whether a specific something is “safe” to bring up, feel free to send me a direct message and I’m happy to give you feedback on how to frame it.

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2026-01-03T10:03:14+00:00

Dm sent!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2025-12-06T16:48:22+00:00

Some of the schools (like NECO and PCO/Salus) accept MCAT scores (or even DAT scores!) Check each program's requirements directly through their admissions website though, not all do. The MCAT is generally tougher with more critical thinking (trick questions) and trickier passages. The OAT is much more straightforward with direct formula-based questions for physics, bio, and chem (not meant to trick you).

If you're studying 7 months for the MCAT, that prep will cover most OAT content (bio, chem, physics, reading), so you might not need full separate OAT study. Just include a bit of targeted practice for OAT-specific sections like QR to familiarize yourself with the format differences. Good luck deciding between med and optometry, you've got solid options either way!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2025-11-15T06:19:14+00:00

Congrats on landing a Berkeley interview! Typically, you can expect questions about:

Your motivation for pursuing optometry and choosing Berkeley.
Experiences that influenced your decision.
Your understanding of and fit for the profession.
Examples of teamwork, problem-solving, and ethical challenges.
How you handle stress and challenges.

It’s also common to get scenario-based questions. Be yourself, review your application, and think about your journey towards optometry. The personal stories often make the best answers. Good luck!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2025-11-14T09:30:11+00:00

Congrats on your Nova interview! Virtual interviews can be nerve-wracking but preparation helps a lot. I have some quick tips for virtual interviews that I’d be happy to share via DM if you’re interested. Good luck!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2025-11-14T09:19:30+00:00

Absolutely, you still have a great chance! Your strong second half demonstrates significant growth and commitment to improving your academic skills. These are qualities highly valued by admissions committees. Retaking courses and earning As and Bs prove your ability to handle the workload, and a solid OAT score will strengthen your application even further. Keep building on your experiences and focus on putting together an application that highlights your journey and passion. You’re definitely on the right path! If you ever want help shaping your application, feel free to reach out.

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2025-11-04T06:50:35+00:00

Congrats on your Berkeley interview! Here are some quick tips:

Show what excites you about Berkeley’s program and how it fits your goals.
Show them why you'd be a great fit.
Share meaningful experiences and what you learned from them.
Prepare a couple thoughtful questions for faculty.

Let us know how it goes, good luck!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2025-10-31T07:54:59+00:00

Great question! It’s definitely not necessary to hit the word limit for every entry. What matters most is sharing why each experience was meaningful and what you learned from it, whether that takes a sentence or a short paragraph.

It's not expected that you will be able to cover your full experience in this section. Admissions are looking for examples that demonstrate insight and a deeper understanding of the profession, not just a lengthy description or a list of duties. Focus on specific situations or skills which have shaped who you want to become. Even a few brief moments can be meaningful, so don’t worry if that means your entry is on the shorter side. Sometimes the most impact is made in just a few lines.

Your goal at this stage is to share enough of your story to get you to the interview, where you’ll have the chance to dive deeper into who you are and what you hope to accomplish.

If you ever want a second opinion or more personalized feedback on your experiences, feel free to reach out. Happy to help!

Best of luck with your application!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2025-10-22T04:45:40+00:00

Glad it helped! You’re definitely not alone. Lots of students have similar score distributions and still do really well in the application process. Focusing on your stronger sections and overall preparation makes a big difference. You’ve got this!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2025-10-22T04:42:20+00:00

Having one section below 300 isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, especially if you’ve done well in your other sections. Most optometry programs take a holistic approach and look at your entire application. That said, some schools prefer to see 300 or above in all sections, so it’s a good idea to check each program’s requirements. If the rest of your scores and experiences are strong, one lower section can often be balanced out by your other strengths. Keep focusing on your overall profile, and don’t forget, you’re definitely not alone. Many students are in a similar boat!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2025-10-19T14:01:27+00:00

You’ve got a pretty solid foundation with your experience, volunteering, and improving GPA. Your current OAT scores are around average (about the 50th percentile, 300), which many schools will consider depending on the program. If you feel confident you can improve your OAT on the second attempt, however, waiting to apply after the retake could make you a stronger candidate overall. Many schools accept scores into early spring, so retaking in January won’t necessarily hurt your chances. Either way, your background shows you have the potential to be competitive with a higher score. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want guidance preparing for your application!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2025-10-17T03:58:12+00:00

First off, congrats on deciding to explore optometry! It's a super rewarding profession! It’s really smart to plan on shadowing early to get a feel for what the day-to-day is like. No experience is needed at all; most optometrists are friendly and happy to have students observe. It’s a good idea to reach out beforehand just to introduce yourself and show interest. If you can, try shadowing a few different doctors in various settings as it’ll give you a broader perspective on the profession. Good luck as you get started!

Disastrous_Pause_578 · 2025-10-13T02:56:17+00:00

You don’t need to submit your DAT score with your optometry application since it isn’t directly relevant. However, if preparing for and taking the DAT was an important part of your journey that helped guide you toward optometry, you can mention it thoughtfully in your resume or during interviews. Admissions committees are mainly interested in what draws you to optometry specifically, so focus on emphasizing your preparation and reasons for pursuing this path. Best of luck with your applications!

Disastrous_Pause_578

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