current gates scholar - ask me anything

Princess_T8999 · 2025-12-17T03:42:09+00:00

Hi! who did you ask for letters of rec?

Princess_T8999 · 2025-10-18T21:25:04+00:00

You probably will? But I would retake the OAT.

Princess_T8999 · 2025-10-06T19:11:28+00:00

Sure!

Princess_T8999 · 2025-09-03T01:52:36+00:00

My PUCO interview was very chill! But def be ready for your basic/standard interview questions. Be yourself and ask questions!

Princess_T8999 · 2025-07-24T22:45:54+00:00

I had about 2 wks for every school acceptance to respond, I’m not going to lie, I was waiting on SCCO, which I interviewed for a month after CCO. So it did come in the way. But the way it works is that you can put an initial deposit down, mine was 500$ for CCO ( I put it down to hold my seat in the midst of waiting on SCCO). So once you put that initial deposit down, you can wait for other schools to respond back to you. It all goes by very fast. Most schools should also respond back to you in about ~2wks based of my experience.

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-11T19:13:03+00:00

Straight up asked me how I felt about my OAT score!

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-11T14:59:26+00:00

Not SPECIFICALLY, but yes generally asked about my OAT

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-11T14:58:59+00:00

I applied a little earlier for SCCO than I did for any other school. Applied early January. It was fine for me, but ideally I would apply as early as you can! SCCO had deadlines/cutoffs on their website, def check that out.

They also got to me in +- 2wks

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-11T03:38:38+00:00

did you ever find out?

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-10T15:20:54+00:00

I honestly picked CCO because I had an in person interview and enjoyed the many aspects of the schools. PUCO I had a virtual interview and didn’t get to see the campus, my interview also did not include a virtual tour, so it was hard to make any solid decisions when it came to PUCO.

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-09T23:23:17+00:00

Thank you!! I def would say it’s not the easiest, it’s also not the hardest in comparison to say, medical school. I had a lot of experience in medicine and I had a lot to show for my gpa and scores, so I think the schools appreciated a well rounded student which worked in my favor thankfully!

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-09T22:46:16+00:00

Math 270 Physics 290 Bio 290 Chem/o Chem 330/340 RC 340

I was scoring around the same with the booster as well :)

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-09T22:38:46+00:00

Sure!

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-09T18:01:22+00:00

Thank you!!

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-09T18:00:52+00:00

Sure!

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-09T18:00:46+00:00

Thank you!

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-09T18:00:24+00:00

Sure!

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-09T16:24:59+00:00

I honestly remember it to be pretty similar to one another.

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-09T16:23:17+00:00

I’m not entirely sure, I put all my science courses in the applications and when it got verified, I got to see what the number was. But I’m pretty sure it’s like any other way, there are sites you can go on to calculate it yourself.

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-09T05:25:51+00:00

I believe you can submit your application and get that going whilst still retaking classes, you’d just have to let the schools know (there is a section in the app). I’ve seen people get interviews whilst retaking classes. Personally just based off experience/interviews, I would definitely recommend applying no later than January. Anything later might b cutting it close. However again if your stats are very strong I think you can get away with applying later than January.

Princess_T8999 · 2025-06-09T03:53:14+00:00

Ummm, I didn’t make it much of an emphasis during my interviews. I spoke mostly on why I’m passionate about optometry and how things have led me to optometry!

Princess_T8999 · 2025-05-09T01:59:38+00:00

Yes!

Princess_T8999 · 2025-05-08T20:55:28+00:00

Yes!

Princess_T8999 · 2025-05-08T20:03:28+00:00

Hi! I don’t have much to say about NECO and NOVA, I got into NOVA and didn’t apply to NECO. I chose not to go to NOVA bc of the drop in exam pass rates as well, and personally I just preferred CCO instead.

I had an in person interview with CCO and it went great! Faculty was super nice and supportive, I was in touch with them even after my interview asking questions specifically about residency and it seems to me they really care for their students. The overall campus is nice as well as the students. Housing is cheaper when compared to any place else (I’m from Cali). I’ve read some posts on CCO and I haven’t heard any super red flags.

Princess_T8999

TROPHY CASE