best route

[turtledovin]

Hello All

I am very seriously considering going to school for optometry. Maintaining two jobs, I have worked part time for a practice for the last three years as an optometric technician, having started w/o prior experience. Just of late I have realized how much I actually enjoy that aspect of patient care and think it would be very rewarding to be an OD. My question is what is the best track to take? I do have an associates in electronic engineering technology, although unfortunately for me it was acquired through a tech school which means NO transferability of those credits. My pocketbook wants me to take a pre-med program at my local community college but having looked at the admissions requirements for the optometry schools I am not all that confident that that would cut-the-mustard. Although I feel that my number of years of experience working in a practice, coupled with the letters of recommendation that I can obtain (both from an OD and a visual therapist), along with an optometric technician certification that just might be enough? Having already been down the fruitless road of my labor once I abhor the thought of doing the wrong thing. Please advise.

Thanks!
-TD

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[tygrwds]

Can you afford to attend a public university in your state? Can you get financial aid, somehow?

You should contact the admissions officers at several optometry schools for their opinions on this matter. Personally, I don't really think it matters whether you go to a university or a CC for your premed educations, as long as you maintain a high GPA and score well on the OAT (easier said than done, of course). Your observational experiences will help you greatly.

Good luck!

 

[r_salis]

What admissions offices consider to be competitive applications is a (sometimes) ambiguous combination of real-world experience, GPA, college attended (university vs. community college), OAT scores, etc.

If I were you, I'd call a couple admissions offices at optometry schools you're interested in, and talk to them about your situation -- they should be able to give you the best advice.

Good luck!

 

[cpw]

definitely talk to an admissions councelor... they usually very friendly and helpful and ready to talk to anyone interested in OD school.

BUT most schools now do require a BA/BS degree before entering OD school (not just completion of pre-reqs).... so you could start at a CC but would have to transfer to a four year school eventually.

I admire your dedication.... good luck !!