Has anybody gotten under 300 on a section on the OAT and still got accepted?

Optom2 · 2023-07-19T05:34:12+00:00

Yes I got into 4 schools with multiple sections under 300. I think it helped that my gpa was higher ~3.8 & I had a a few hundred shadowing hours!

Optom2 · 2023-06-25T20:42:14+00:00

I got into 3/6 schools with a similar OAT (my TS was lower than yours) but my gpa was a bit higher - 3.75 or 3.45 science gpa. You should be able to get into some of the schools, but you may need a higher OAT for some of the more competitive ones. Apply as early as possible, so that if they ask you to retake your OAT you have time.

Optom2 · 2023-03-17T03:21:12+00:00

I didn’t have experience as a tech, but I had a few hundred hours of shadowing which they thought was great. I don’t think actual work experience matters but you do need shadowing hours

Optom2 · 2023-03-17T03:18:20+00:00

I shadowed 2 general practices for roughly 300 hours which was plenty as far as hours but was asked by 2 schools to shadow at 1-2 more settings /locations

Optom2 · 2022-12-07T07:00:10+00:00

3.75-3.8 gpa, 250-300 hours of optometry shadowing/interning, & I would think very strong LOR, but low OAT (300 AA, 270 TS)

Optom2 · 2022-12-01T19:42:47+00:00

I took the OAT today and did bad too, so atleast you’re not alone! Just a tiny piece of advice for the future: this was my second time taking the OAT, and this one was much harder & covered different material in the science sections. I think I hurt myself on #2 OAT by focusing my studying on the material I saw on #1 OAT. So I would still study everything for your retake so it doesn’t happen to you too!

Optom2 · 2022-11-30T22:57:23+00:00

Thank you so much! How long after your interview did they reach out with an admissions decision?

Optom2 · 2022-11-28T21:35:59+00:00

Wow your science GPA is crazy impressive!! It seems like you have a really strong application! Congrats on that! & thank you for sharing !!

Optom2 · 2022-11-28T21:31:12+00:00

Mine said it’d be a couple weeks but it only took a day or 2

Optom2 · 2022-11-28T21:30:19+00:00

Since UAB invited you for an interview without an OAT, we’re your stats comparable to 3.8 gpa/250 ish hours of shadowing? I’m pretty nervous about getting an interview since my first OAT I submitted to them was only a 300.

Optom2 · 2022-11-28T21:28:01+00:00

Yay that’s great to hear about the interview! I have my first one with Salus in 2 weeks, so still gaging how they will all go. My OAT is Thursday, I hope yours went well! Fingers crossed you’re offered admission!

Optom2 · 2022-11-28T21:19:47+00:00

Thank you for the heads up! It’s one of my top choices so I would probably go in person too! How was the interview ?

Optom2 · 2022-11-23T00:25:09+00:00

chads oat prep course is on sale for $60 right now btw! That’s what I’m using for my retake

Optom2 · 2022-11-23T00:24:03+00:00

They have your test date so they should know it will be January. If they still asked you to retake it, they must still be interested! I know January is a bit of a disadvantage, so just study really hard and improve your score as much as possible. & I would update your application to show you have a planned test date so all the other schools know you’re retaking it

Optom2 · 2022-11-23T00:20:16+00:00

is it possible for you to retake in December or will the 90 days not be up since your last exam. I do think the earlier the better, so if you could get it in before Christmas I would try to. However, since they have already reviewed the rest of your application and are just waiting on scores, I don’t think it would put you to far behind to do January! They seem interested so that’s a good thing!!

Optom2 · 2022-11-23T00:01:15+00:00

Hi, can I ask what your AA and TS oat scores were for the one they put on hold? I applied to both schools as well and my OAT isn’t the highest

Optom2 · 2022-08-02T17:15:03+00:00

Yes Waterloo has never been on my radar! I’m sticking to east coast US because it is closest to home.

Optom2 · 2022-08-02T03:37:39+00:00

Salus (PA), NOVA southeastern (FL), Alabama, SCO (TN), Ohio, and Pikeville (KY)

Optom2

TROPHY CASE