Optometry Expert Answers

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Below are some frequently asked questions that have been answered by SDN Optometry Experts.

If you have a question that is not answered here, please visit the SDN Confidential Consult forum to ask your question of our expert panel.

Could I get into Optometry school without a bachelor's degree?

MrSmile12

You would need to check the admissions requirements for the optometry schools that interest you and then contact them. I suspect that while a bachelor's degree is not required, the vast majority of your competition will be finishing up with a bachelor's degree or better by the time you ultimately matriculate. That said, all you can do is ask.


Attending optometry school but applying to dental school?

I have been accepted to and will be attending optometry school this fall. However, dental school has always been my first choice, and optometry school like my plan B. I've shadowed and worked settings with both professions, and I chose optometry as a backup because I've applied three cycles to dental school and failed to get in. My last cycle I got two interviews, but no acceptances.

I can see myself being an optometrist but I still can't help but think about dentistry, hence why I'd like to apply again. So the plan now is that I will start optometry school and drop an application for this cycle. Should I be fortunate enough to get in I will then drop optometry school for dental school.

My biggest question now is whether or not I need to disclose the fact I'll be attending optometry school in my dental application and whether this will be frowned upon. Should I be honest from the get-go or is this not a big deal since people do make a switch from different fields.

MrSmile12

Most dental schools will not be happy taking someone who started a different professional school program but then switched over without graduating. You are obliged to be as honest as you can because ultimately your ability to secure loans for your dental school education knowing that you have already incurred optometry school debt is going to be an issue.


Can I get into optometry school?

I am a senior with an overall gpa of 3.15 and wanted to apply for optometry school this summer. Also planning to start studying for the oats and give it in the summer but not sure if my gpa is good enough for this school? Is there any easy optometry schools i can get into?

MrSmile12

While there are about 20 optometry schools, you are deluding yourself if you believe there are "easy optometry schools" for admission. You need to network and ask questions to current students and admissions administrators to get a sense if your GPA is going to be looked at in more detail than just the overall GPA. You could also read up on the admissions statistics to get a sense of what schools will likely be a good fit for you.


How do the 3+4 optometry programs in the US work?

Hi, I'm going to be a senior in a high school in New York. I was wondering if all optometry joint programs (3+4) require you to be the top 7 or top 6 students in your undergrad college (at the end of the 3 years) in order to gain admission into the affiliated optometry schools. Are there joint optometry programs where you gain direct entrance into the optometry school as long as you get into the undergrad college as well as the program and fulfill all the requirements and maintain high grades and not have to be the one of the top 6 or 7 in your undergrad class to get into the optometry school?

MrSmile12

In general, you would need to talk to the undergraduate admissions office about entry into those programs. Usually you have to be accepted first to the undergraduate program but your participation in the 3+4 program can differ. How you describe it though seems to be generally accurate though I'm not sure if you have to be in the top 6 to 10 people in your undergraduate cohort to transition.


Optometry school - what are the pre-reqs?

Are they the same as for medical school or is there anything special?

MrSmile12

Prerequisites for optometry school can be found on the OptomCAS website: http://www.optomcas.org/information-about-schools-colleges/school-college-prerequisites.


Can I get into SUNY optometry school?

Hi. I am trying to get into suny optometry but I want to know opinions based on what I have. When I was in undergrad I messed up big time so I just want some opinions on what I should do and where I should go.

I have a 3.15 overall undergrad gpa I have taken these classes where I have gotten C+'s and below

Genetics Microbiology Chemistry 1 & 2 Orgo 1 & 2 Vertebrae Physiology

But I have retaken all of them at the same school in which I got B+'s and A's.

In this undergrad time I also have taken

Evolution B+ Intro to Psychology A Cancer Cell Biology B

With the other prerequistes (english etc) everything is A's and A-'s

I did some post bacc courses in nursing where my gpa was 3.32

I also have a masters degree in health care administration where my gpa is a 4.0.

I have been working as a healthcare administrator for two years at Northwell Health.

I have yet to do the OAT but I want to know what I need to get in.

If not if anyone can shoot any ideas on what I CAN get into

such as podiatry, dentistry, PT, OT, PhD, MD, DO, etc.

I really appreciate your help.

SamburgerHelper

Hi -

Thank you so much for your question. At the moment, we do not have an expert in Optometry to assist with your question. We recommend asking your question in the Pre-Optometry forum https://forums.studentdoctor.net/forums/pre-optometry.159/. The SDN community should be able to provide additional insights for you.

Thank you, SDN Experts Staff


License Criteria for Foreign Professionals who wish to practice in USA

I am commencing my research regarding the current requirements for licensure in USA, specifically New York State. I am a US Citizen, born and raised in New York, obtained my BS in Biology at Saint Peter's University (Jersey City, NJ), and recently graduated from Pontificia Universidad Catolica Valparaiso in Chile earning a degree known as Tecnologia Medica con mencion en Oftalmologia y Contactologia. I was informed that it's equivalence is an Optometry degree, but I am not familiar with the process of validating my credentials. Can you please provide me with this information or direct me to someone who may guide me with this task.

SamburgerHelper

Hello,

Thank you for your question. At this time, none of our SDN Experts have expertise in this area so we will be unable to assist with your question. Please feel free to check our International Forums (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forums/general-international-discussion.85/) for any additional information on this topic.

Sincerely, SDN Experts Manager


Am I competitive enough for optometry schools?

I am finishing up my undergrad degree in Exercise and Sport Science and my total GPA is a 3.95 (Science 3.90). I recently decided that my passion for optometry is far greater than any career in my major's field. I have already taken most of the pre-reqs for optometry schools excluding biochem, micro bio, and calculus which I plan to take here in the next year. I will be taking the OAT this summer and will apply for Fall 2019. In terms of experience, I have shadowed 3 optometrists thus far and I plan to shadow some more here in the next couple of months. I know that my criteria may not scream optometry, but I was wondering if having good OAT scores would give me a good chance of getting in?If not, what are some suggestions on what I need to do until I apply in the summer for schools? My sister is currently in optometry school and said that many of her colleagues did not work at an eye clinic and still got in.

Mr.Smile12

Hello,

If your undergrad has a prehealth advisor, I would check in with that person/office. With a strong OAT score, you should have no problem with getting interviews, so reflect strongly on your reasons why you are drawn to optometry. No need to apologize for taking a different degree path; as long as you have prerequisites and maybe some of the other upper-level biomedical science classes with a strong science GPA, your application should gain some attention.


Can I get into optometry school?

I am a senior with an overall gpa of 3.15 and wanted to apply for optometry school this summer. Also planning to start studying for the oats and give it in the summer but not sure if my gpa is good enough for this school? Is there any easy optometry schools i can get into?

Mr.Smile12

While there are about 20 optometry schools, you are deluding yourself if you believe there are "easy optometry schools" for admission. You need to network and ask questions to current students and admissions administrators to get a sense if your GPA is going to be looked at in more detail than just the overall GPA. You could also read up on the admissions statistics to get a sense of what schools will likely be a good fit for you.


OAT HELP

I am new to sdn and this is my first post!! I took my OAT today and I am not pleased with my scores. I need overall guidance on the study material I should use and how others have studied. I don't see myself giving up on my dreams to become an optometrist. Below are my scores:

QR: 250 RC: 250 BIO: 230 GC: 260 OC: 260 Physics: 260 TS: 230 AA: 250

Please any information would be helpful. Thanks in advance !!

Mr.Smile12

There is there a forum on OAT discussions at https://forums.studentdoctor.net/forums/oat-discussions.129/. This forum has several people who have recently taken the OAT, and they should be able to give more advice on what they have studied and what has helped them.


How do the 3+4 optometry programs in the US work?

Hi, I'm going to be a senior in a high school in New York. I was wondering if all optometry joint programs (3+4) require you to be the top 7 or top 6 students in your undergrad college (at the end of the 3 years) in order to gain admission into the affiliated optometry schools. Are there joint optometry programs where you gain direct entrance into the optometry school as long as you get into the undergrad college as well as the program and fulfill all the requirements and maintain high grades and not have to be the one of the top 6 or 7 in your undergrad class to get into the optometry school?

casedentalmed

In general, you would need to talk to the undergraduate admissions office about entry into those programs. Usually you have to be accepted first to the undergraduate program but your participation in the 3+4 program can differ. How you describe it though seems to be generally accurate though I'm not sure if you have to be in the top 6 to 10 people in your undergraduate cohort to transition.


should I push back my OAT?

My current GPA is a 3.37 and I am currently going into my senior year of undergrad, I am applying to opt schools this summer and taking my OAT on July 10th. I had to retake physics this summer which really cut back on my OAT study time, however I studied daily during May and currently studying daily until the test. I am nervous that I did not study enough but don't really have the time to push the test back because I start my internship on July 11th....should I just study as much as I can and take the test as scheduled and possibly have to retake in 90 days or should I try and make time to push back the test? sincerely,

a very stressed out student

casedentalmed

If you don't feel like you took enough time to study, why would you not reschedule your exam? It is better to be in a strong position with good scores than to play catch-up and worry about how schools will look at your first bad scores upon retaking. When possible, a first impression is better as an only impression. And it always takes less time (and money) to do it correctly the first time.


any hope for a previously depressed student

Hi, My current situation is a bit tricky. I've always wanted to become a doctor and science and math have always been my comfortable subjects. However, I recently just got out of a 7-8 year clinical depression. I was very sick to the point of even considering taking my life (completely foolish and stupid). Now that I'm much better, my priorities are much clearer. I'm obtaining my associates in biology soon. However I want to become an optometrist or even an opthamologist. I know I can do it. However my grades had suffered due to my recent sickness. My question really is how to get from point a to point b at a competitive level. Would the schools understand the circumstances? Thank you

casedentalmed

If you are just getting your associate's degree, I would encourage you to continue the treatment you need while also continuing with challenging upper-level biomedical science and prerequisite coursework (leading to at least a bachelor's if not higher level degree). Anyone who can see that you can succeed while you are under control of your illness will likely be more understanding of your circumstances when you are ready to apply.


Things needed to get into optometry school

I'm currently a sophomore In Penn state. I have an average GPA of 3.4, and I'm an international student. I don't have much extracurricular activities and haven't experienced optometry related works, at least not in US. my advisor told me to do shadowing in some optometry facilities but I feels I need to do more than that. What other activities I need to do? And, is it hard to get a shadowing opportunity? Also, how many recommendation letters do I need to apply an optometry school? And should I start to study for the OAT exam?

Well, that's lots of questions... really appreciate the helps!

casedentalmed

If you are interested in optometry and haven't gotten an opportunity to know what it's like as a career, you should arrange for that. While you may want to do more (like community/volunteer service), it's important, but in the end, the shadowing/observation experience is very important for your application and to solidify your career choice. You ultimately should consider studying for the OAT, but be really sure the career is what you want before you spend any time or money thinking about test prep for the OAT.


Could I get into Optometry school without a bachelor's degree?

Hi. I am currently a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am hoping to get into optometry school after my junior year with all my prereqs done and over 90 credits. If I have a 3.45 GPA, have a job as a student medical assistant, volunteer once a week, and shadow an optometrist, do I have a chance of getting in? I am taking all my classes needed to prepare for the OAT this summer scheduled for next semester and plan to get an OAT tutor for this summer too. I feel as if I could potentially be a good interviewer, and am only unsure about my GPA considering I am also trying to apply early.

casedentalmed

You would need to check the admissions requirements for the optometry schools that interest you and then contact them. I suspect that while a bachelor's degree is not required, the vast majority of your competition will be finishing up with a bachelor's degree or better by the time you ultimately matriculate. That said, all you can do is ask.


Optometry school - what are the pre-reqs?

Are they the same as for medical school or is there anything special?

casedentalmed

Prerequisites for optometry school can be found on the OptomCAS website: http://www.optomcas.org/information-about-schools-colleges/school-college-prerequisites.