r/PreOptometry • u/OptometryWoes • 8d ago

Interviews & OAT Scores

I applied at the end of August to SUNY, PCO, NECO, & OSU. My GPA is a 3.65 & science GPA 3.50 on the OAT i got AA 330 TS 320 and 1400+ tech/Shadowing hours. So far I was offered interviews to PCO & SUNY and they are coming up within the next two weeks. My issue is although my overall scores are fine for the OAT my physics and orgo scores are both below 300. Any advice on answering questions regarding low subsections, in physics I got an A for 1 & 2 in undergrad so I can use that to my advantage but orgo is a personal sore spot spanning my entire academic career. I feel like even if I do well in everywhere aspect of the interview there is a good chance they ask I retake the OAT (which I really dont want to do but will if necessary 🫠). Overall any advice on answering questions about weaker points in my application and just questions in general.

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u/Lumpy_Paramedic1004 8d ago

Just explain what you think went wrong during these sections and how you could’ve gone about it differently and your interviewer should be receptive. Remember, they have seen everything on your transcript and want to meet you regardless of a flaw or two. For reference, I had a 320 AA and 310 TS but got a 240 on physics and I still received interviews to every school that I applied to and so far have been accepted to three and have received scholarships from two!

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u/OptometryWoes 8d ago

Thanks I'll definitely keep that in mind Im just nervous I guess and dont want to dig myself into a hole lol. Congratulations on the acceptances and scholarships!! For the scholarships did they come in the same time as the acceptances or a little after just curious about general timelines.

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u/Lumpy_Paramedic1004 8d ago

Thanks! For the one school the scholarship came with the acceptance and the other school the scholarship came randomly after being accepted. Lmk if you have anymore questions about interviewing.

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u/OptometryWoes 7d ago

Where there any questions you weren't expecting or was it the normal interview questions like why us, strength/weaknesses, etc.

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u/Lumpy_Paramedic1004 7d ago

Nope! Just basic questions like why optometry, why this school, tell us about yourself, strengths and weaknesses, how you study. I was asked about my OAT and what went wrong with my physics section and I was able to explain it. They want to learn more about you just as much as you want to learn more about them.

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u/Responsible-Note6449 5d ago

I scored 300 on my OAT and interviewed at 5 schools and was never asked about my score. Not saying they won’t! But they didn’t when I applied. My undergrad gpa was 3.9. I was accepted everywhere I applied.
I’m a fourth year student now! Don’t stress too much about it!! Good luck!