I want all of you to know that I understand all of the concerns and red flags that may worry all of you. But just because i might of scored a 200 on my RC DOES NOT make me a ***** or less competent or even going to make me less of a knowledgeable doctor than any of you.
Nobody called you a *****. What we said is that a 200 is more than a "red flag." It is extremely compelling reason for a program to believe you will not succeed. As other stated before, if you get slightly better than "random guessing" you would have above a 200.
No one has the right to judge me when they don't even know my full academic profile. but since i started this thread in my defense i have graduated with semesters being on the deans list and i have taken 4 or more science rigorous classes which definitely shows i am ABLE to read and handle the load of work in optometry school. I have my own reasons not to take the OAT again and apply next year. I have been accepted to IAUPR because i did meet there AA OAT score and GPA requirements. So i got accepted legit.
And that is just it. I am not saying you personally shouldn't have been accepted to any program. You are correct, I did not have the displeasure of being on the admissions committee and make the difficult decision to admit or reject you, I don't know anything besides the OAT scores you posted. An applicant is much more than a series of numbers.
The troubling thing is you met IAUPR's minimum requirement, you WERE NOT an EXCEPTION to their admissions, you are on point with the rest of the applicant pool there.
I am not going to criticize their program too much, because honestly I don't know much about it besides the info ASCO gives. I am sure if you have the drive and motivation, you can complete the program there, pass the NBEO, and become a competent OD. However, do not kid yourself to say IAUPR is on par w/ the rest of the colleges of optometry out there. Look at the numbers and speak with their students and alumni. If you decide to dedicate the next 4 years of your life there, more power to you.
One point I would like to point out is that there are MANY students that get accepted with above average OAT scores and ABOVE REQUIRED MINIMUM GPAs that fail out, don't pass the boards, and CAN NOT handle the work AND are jerky optometrist.
This is pure heresay.
Dont forget once we start first year in optometry school WE ARE ALL EQUAL like it or not.
Don't go on the offensive. Take what we are saying, digest it, and see if it makes sense. We are not here to bash on you, or IAUPR.
But fact is, we are not all equal. I will only enter a program that is committed to excellence. One where the faculty not only cares about my well being, but will be there to help me succeed. They will not be there just to make sure I meet the minimum to be an OD, but will push me to become a leader in my field. My classmates all have proven their capabilities by demonstrating excellence in undergraduate and exam scores. Odds will be in my favor.
