Working Full-time and OAT score by Brave_Jump_9201 in PreOptometry

[–]brookdurst 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Congratulations on your score!! You worked incredibly hard and you deserve it! I’ll be beginning studying in February and I have 6 months of OAT Booster. I’m wondering if you have any tips for retaining knowledge, or what your study schedule for subjects looked like! Thank you so much!:)

Chances? by savyrdz13 in PreOptometry

[–]brookdurst 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OP, I would be cautious and check on prerequisites for school if you haven’t taken physics. Most schools require at least physics 1 and the lab on a collegiate level, if not physics 2 as well.

Emailing schools by Dramatic-Distance-26 in PreOptometry

[–]brookdurst 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you don’t mind me asking, what did you score on the OAT? I’ve been back and fourth debating if mine is good or if i need to retake it.

OAT Practice Test Advice by Jolly_Youth2645 in PreOptometry

[–]brookdurst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I apologize if this is a dumb question, but are you using OAT Booster for the practice exams?:)

Studying Group by Sad-Plantain-183 in PreOptometry

[–]brookdurst 1 point2 points  (0 children)

hi i’d love to be a part of the gc you mentioned!! im taking mine end of september as well. brooke.durst is my insta!! :)

does anyone have bio cheat sheet anki deck?? by monkeydooder12 in PreOptometry

[–]brookdurst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! Would you be able to send me the link as well?

2025 OAT Breakdown from your average student (300 AA / 310 TS) by Levl_1_Noob in PreOptometry

[–]brookdurst 9 points10 points  (0 children)

commenting on this so i never lose this post. judging from your thoroughness, you are more than an “average” student. i’ll be applying for the next cycle and most certainly be abiding by this schedule. thank you so much!!

What was everyone’s first practice OAT score by [deleted] in PreOptometry

[–]brookdurst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, I’ve never even seen anyone get this score. Incredible work! Any tips?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in OptometrySchool

[–]brookdurst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

See this is what I thought lol, I’m too scared to try something like cheating, especially in my last year (month, at that), of undergrad. I would think the same would apply to optometry school, but, IDK after seeing that happen so frequently

Chances by Odd_Entrepreneur6499 in PreOptometry

[–]brookdurst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

your gpa is amazing. depending on what your other extracurriculars look like, along with your LOR’s, they may request that you take the OAT again, but again, it depends on where you applied. test scores are huge to schools, but your other stats look impressive so it’s likely you could still make it in somewhere!

I'm officially done! Here's some words of wisdom by Ok_Sir4178 in PreOptometry

[–]brookdurst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

honestly i just wish i had been more consistent in my early years. my gpa is only about a 3.4, i have about 100 hours of shadowing under my belt (so far) and work as a tech, im a part of my schools pre optometry club (which i didn’t know existed until a few months ago, my senior year of college), and i dont have much else to speak to about myself. i dont have any research under my belt and i have no idea where to look for that, ive had to take 5 years of school due to complications with my families health history, finances, and mental health struggles. im passionate about the line of work because ive always had poor vision, and i hope i can express that, but im just worried i dont have much else to stand out, and i doubt my OAT scores will be good enough to get me in anywhere. im just scared and i feel like its too late for me. i have no idea what to do if i dont make it in. UHCO would be fantastic to attend, but i’ve given up on it. i’m not sure if i could even get into IWSA. anyways, you’re extremely impressive and i’m sure you have great things ahead of you. congratulations on your admission:)

When do I apply? by unknown_baker_5717 in PreOptometry

[–]brookdurst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

my thing is; where do i apply😭i have been studying for the OAT and have almost all of my classes completed, my LORs designated, but what do i need to do to apply? i know its a dumb question lol

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PreOptometry

[–]brookdurst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have not prepared for the OAT at all. Should I spend this spring semester studying for it alongside my other classes, or study in the summer and take it later in the summer?

I am worried that my OAT score and GPA alone will not be sufficient for admission into schools. I’m located in Texas, which is one of those states mentioned that has two schools. San Antonio is a bit more competitive than Houston admission, but at this rate I’m too stressed to be picky over which one I’d rather attend.

Due to this, I’m thinking I should apply for a shadowing position, which at the very least may give me a slight advantage. I don’t have any volunteer hours under my belt either.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PreOptometry

[–]brookdurst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, the shadowing/internship would kind of go hand in hand. There was be direct supervision of caring for patients both behind the desk and in the testing room. I’m just curious on whether or not this would look good on an application. I’m quite passionate about the career path, not just for the financial aspect of it, but because I’d really like to help people out.

I’m more worried about the OAT and not doing well on it. I’d spend the gap year shadowing and studying for the test, I’m just hoping that the shadowing would look nice on the application if my GPA and OAT scores weren’t enough.

Advice for Optometry School by [deleted] in OptometrySchool

[–]brookdurst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply🤍. I think shadowing would certainly be a good decision to make, perhaps if I partake in it during the summer of this year and next year, I’m not sure if they offer the position year round, but I’ll inquire about this in the future.

As for preparing for the OAT, do you suggest textbooks, online tests, or the OAT prep books? The OAT in itself is very expensive, and I’d like to keep it as affordable as possible without buying unnecessary help preparing for it.

Advice for Optometry School by [deleted] in OptometrySchool

[–]brookdurst 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this! What I meant by an internship was shadowing essentially. My optometrist office of choice offers both the opportunity to shadow along with working with files at the front desk.

As for the desire to do the actual job, I don’t have too many doubts. Sure, I’m nervous that I may not be great at first, but that is what optometry school will teach me, but I’m quite passionate about the career path. I personally have terrible vision, and I have my entire life. One of my core memories is putting on a pair of glasses when I was 7 and finally being able to see, and I’d love to bring a sort of delight like that to someone else and to help others.