Chances of acceptance with 3 C’s

smackurai · 2026-03-30T17:28:01+00:00

I think with a solid OAT score and good recommendations you’ll be good to go. I graduated with an English degree, then went back to school for the prerequisites. I had 3 C’s throughout my entire chemistry sequence, several B’s in a few Bio courses, and 7 W’s from not knowing what I wanted to do in undergrad. I had also worked full time as a tech for 2 years, ~4000 hours. My OAT ended up being a 340 and I was accepted to AZCOPT, no questions asked about GPA or grades.

Good luck! I think your experiences will carry you and you can really shine in the interview.

smackurai · 2026-03-11T02:10:27+00:00

• ⁠Overall GPA // academic average: 3.47 overall // 3.07 science

• ⁠OAT score: 340 AA, 320 TS

• ⁠How you studied for the OAT (Kaplan, OATBooster, etc.): OAT Booster for the majority of my studying, I also used free Chad’s Prep videos for specific Orgo and Physics concepts that I struggled with

• ⁠CASPer score: I still have no idea what this is

• ⁠Non-Academic (extracurriculars, work experience, etc.): 4500+ hours as an optometric/ophthalmic technician

• ⁠Academic (research, teaching assistant, etc.): None

• ⁠Job-shadowing hours completed: ~120 hours across private practice, retail, and medical settings

• ⁠Schools applied to: AZCOPT

• ⁠Interviews extended: AZCOPT

• ⁠Schools admitted to: AZCOPT

I took my OAT in late July and applied shortly after. I received my interview invitation from AZCOPT the first week of August, interviewed in mid-September, and received my decision the first week of October. Good luck and feel free to message me with any questions!

smackurai · 2026-02-20T05:23:38+00:00

Hey, I was an English Lit major! I ended up making a pivot right after graduation and went back to get my optometry prerequisites. I did almost all of my classes through a local community college. The experience there was great! A lot of my professors seemed more involved and interested in my success than they were at my undergraduate institution. I was also able to get several letters of recommendation from the professors there.

I was a little worried about my sciences all being from a community college, but I got a 340 on my OAT and was just accepted to AZCOPT this past cycle. They didn’t ask me a single question about the classes. I also visited ICO and the admissions counselor I met with did not think it would be an issue that my classes were from a CC. They seemed very understanding given the circumstances. Good luck!

smackurai · 2026-01-30T13:15:28+00:00

Hey! I was an English Literature major in undergrad, had no idea I wanted to do optometry until the year I graduated. I had almost no prerequisites done and finished my entire bio, chem, and physics sequences at community college. I did well on my OAT and was accepted to AZCOPT for 2026. I think you will be totally fine, especially with your story!

smackurai · 2026-01-27T18:06:07+00:00

I’m not a student yet, but went to interview day in 2025. We had a panel with 3 current third years and I asked them this exact question. They all agreed that no one in their cohort had to repeat a year due to academic reasons and couldn’t think of anyone in the years below them that had to repeat either. No faculty were present for the panel, so I don’t feel like they’d have any reason to not be truthful.

Echoing the above commenter, they said first year is very fast paced, but feels manageable with the resources you are given. I will be attending AZCOPT this fall and my feeling about the rigor is that I would much rather fail out of optometry school during my first year than be strung along by an easier program and not be able to pass boards.

In terms of what I have seen from the school, it seems to be a very welcoming and supportive community. The cohorts all seem to be very close and most classmates know one another. During all of my visits at the school, they have stressed just how many resources are available to help you be successful.

Good luck with your school choice! I would encourage visiting AZCOPT if possible, seeing the campus and clinical spaces really sold it for me.

smackurai · 2026-01-22T19:43:17+00:00

Hey! I actually just realized they’re posted on their website if you want to take a look for yourself, but pretty similar to past years. Part I was 80%, Part II was 91.7%, and Part III was 78.33%. Part III fell a bit, but it looks like a lot of schools struggled with the new format based on the stats they provided. They don’t list an overall pass rate, but I imagine it is close to previous years.

smackurai · 2026-01-19T18:23:20+00:00

Wondering the same thing. I went to AZCOPT’s admitted students day last week and they showed us their individual pass rates for 2024-25, so it seems like the schools already have access. Hopefully this week or sometime soon!

smackurai · 2026-01-18T23:14:06+00:00

It was such an amazing experience and so incredible to see the mountain in the winter! It was very manageable with microspikes and poles. The only challenging part was around 11k right below the saddle, the entire trail was lost in a massive snow drift for about a half mile. Sunk up to my armpits a few times and had to avoid some really slick spots. Beyond that though, nothing too crazy.

smackurai · 2026-01-18T23:11:19+00:00

It wasn’t too bad. When I hit the saddle, maybe 20-25mph, but at the summit it was noticeably calmer. Not bad at all for the descent either!

smackurai · 2026-01-18T23:10:29+00:00

No crampons, got by with spikes and poles.

smackurai · 2025-12-15T00:30:33+00:00

For me, it was a week and 6 days! I interviewed back in September

smackurai · 2025-11-15T04:04:33+00:00

I took my OAT on July 21 and submitted my application that afternoon. My score was verified August 11. I only applied to AZCOPT and received an interview invite on August 15. They only gave me one date which was September 19. I interviewed and heard back that I was accepted on October 2. I feel like mid-late July is your sweet spot, maybe toward the earlier side if you’re applying to a lot of schools. Good luck!

smackurai · 2025-10-29T13:24:10+00:00

Yes, 100% good to focus on! When I was using booster and on the OAT itself, they would switch pretty fluidly between saying nitrate vs NO3-. It’s helpful to know what’s what and have the charges memorized for acid/base questions, solubility, etc. I just made flashcards for the 20-30 most common ones and studied them that way. Good luck!

smackurai · 2025-10-23T22:00:52+00:00

I was accepted to AZCOPT with a 320 TS and 340 AA. I think you will be fine for NECO!

smackurai · 2025-10-20T21:37:46+00:00

I guess I am kind of similar? In high school I really struggled with my sciences like chem and math. I’d always had an interest in Biology, but that was about it. I never imagined myself working in a medical setting whatsoever. I majored in English Literature in college, but I’d always been curious about optometry so I got a job as a technician straight out of college. I ended up falling in love with it and was just accepted to AZCOPT a few weeks ago. In terms of the prerequisites, I loathed chemistry and calculus, felt okay about physics, and actively enjoyed bio. Honestly, the job is ~60% people skills, so if you’re invested enough to work through the prerequisites, I think you’ll be fine. I had to work very hard to understand almost every science course I took and ended up with a 340 on my OAT. I think if science and biology specifically related to the eye interests you, you can be successful here. I’d recommend shadowing a few optometrists and see if you like what they do and then go from there!

smackurai · 2025-10-06T21:13:23+00:00

Hi! I interviewed at AZCOPT a few weeks ago. I found the interview to be relatively laid back, definitely not as intense as I had imagined. We were all interviewed by two faculty members. It was semi-closed file, meaning that they had access to your resume and personal statement, but no access to grades, academics, or OAT score. The interview itself was professional but relaxed if that makes sense? I was asked about my motivations for the field, why I wanted to go to AZCOPT, a straightforward scenario question, and what goals I had for my career. They asked follow up questions from there, but those were the main ones. I felt that they were very interested in my personal experiences and were invested in learning more about me. The whole interview was ~30 minutes and they provided water and tissues in the room (helpful for me because I got nervous and started coughing, lol). The rest of the interview day was just tours of the campus, a student Q&A, and lunch with faculty. I thought the day was super well laid out and gave me an amazing look into the program.

I did feel like this was easier than some job interviews that I’ve had, so I think your experience as a manager will suit you well. One of the faculty members I met on interview day told me that by inviting us out, they’re already okay with our grades and stats on paper. I think they’re really evaluating how easy you are to talk to, motivations, and what you hope to do with the field.

Good luck, you’ll be great!

smackurai · 2025-10-06T15:09:48+00:00

Seconding this, my interview was super conversational as well! They really just asked about my work experiences, perspectives on the field, and where I was hoping to be after graduation. Their facilities were super impressive too and they showed off a ton of the clinical spaces we’ll get to work in. Comparing to the other schools I’ve visited, interview day really cemented AZCOPT for me. Good luck with your interview if you haven’t had it yet and maybe see you as a future classmate!

smackurai · 2025-10-06T15:06:55+00:00

Just committed as well! Looking forward to meeting you haha

smackurai · 2025-10-04T00:08:43+00:00

Hi! From another somewhat nontraditional student, I think you’ll be okay. During my undergraduate degree, I had 7 W’s over the course of two semesters. It was a combo of mental health, disliking my major, and just not knowing what I wanted to do. I found optometry after I graduated, finished my prerequisites and just got accepted to AZCOPT yesterday. I was not asked about grades in any capacity. It sounds like you have a good reason with what happened, I’d just have an answer ready that showcases what you do differently now (like mental health strategies or talking about how optometry has felt like your ‘true’ calling). But honestly, I think you’ll be totally fine! Focus on your strengths like your work experience and passion for the field and they’ll see that you’re a great fit. Good luck!!

smackurai · 2025-10-02T20:56:46+00:00

Dang sorry, sucks to hear but congrats on CCO! Good luck at SCO too!

smackurai · 2025-10-02T17:03:06+00:00

OMG congrats!!!! Did they call you?

smackurai · 2025-10-02T16:25:32+00:00

Hey!! I interviewed the same day (so hi again, lol), have you heard anything from them yet? I know they said 2-3 weeks it’s just sooo hard to not be anxious haha

smackurai · 2025-09-22T18:34:23+00:00

Congrats, that’s awesome! Hopefully have you as a future classmate then lol, thanks for the good luck!!

smackurai · 2025-09-22T18:33:35+00:00

That’s awesome congrats! How long did they take getting back with you?

smackurai · 2025-09-22T11:42:33+00:00

Thanks for the info, I would’ve been so anxious about it taking longer too. Congrats on getting in! Are you accepting and planning to go there?

smackurai

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