I have a question for the members of the community. I'm currently finishing my terminal MS in Chemistry and I going to apply to Optometry school for the Fall of 2007. I received a B.A. in Chemistry in 2004 and while in school, I worked in the Optometric field for 5+ years as a technician, so I have a fair bit of experience in the field.

I was wondering if any students currently in Optometry school have any classmates who pursued advanced degrees (M.S./Ph.D.) prior to applying to Opt. School. With my experience in the field, I can explain my motivation for pursuing Optometry school versus continuing in academia, but I was wondering whether this is a common situation.

Thanks for your help,
Nick

There are always a few students with advanced degrees in each class. I have a close friend with an MS. In the class of 2008 there is a Caribbean M.D. and in the class of 2009 there is a Russian M.D. The advanced degree a plus for you, it definitely show you can handle the course load. The one thing you do need to prepare for the question of why you got an MS in chem and now want to enter a very different field. It will come up, but as long as you have an answer it will not be a problem.

Good luck, you will be in great shape.

I just applied after having been in a biology Ph.D. program for the last 2.5 years.