3/4 Joint Degree Program AT SUNY

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cmec429

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Hey I'm a high school junior and was wondering who are currently enrolled in this program. How was it like? is it a program i should apply for?

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Hey I'm a high school junior and was wondering who are currently enrolled in this program. How was it like? is it a program i should apply for?
There were a few students in my class who did the 3-4 program. It's a nice way to shave a year off of your undergrad time if you know you want to go into optometry. My feeling is that unless you're 100% certain about it (you're inheriting your family's practice, you wanted to be an optometrist since you were 4, you've worked part-time for an optometrist for 17 summers and loved it, etc.), just enjoy the 4 years of undergrad time. There's really no rush to get into the real world!
 
Go ahead and go for it. Why study and do unnecessary work for another year unless you have to? Forget the whole experience thing. Might as well be making a decent income for a year instead of being a student for another year.
 
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I am in the joint-degree program...
Adelphi University Class of 2009
SUNY Class of 2012
I am starting SUNY Optometry in the fall, and I'm so excited!

I am the president of my ultimate frisbee team, and I'm sad to be leaving them, but I'm very happy to be cutting a useless year at Adelphi out.
I took 15-17 credits at Adelphi every semester, and I came in with 10 credits due to AP classes, etc.
I paced myself, with my general education requirements, major requirements, and the SUNY pre-requisites, and it worked out perfectly. I could take a few "fun" classes, and had time to do SGA (student government), Christian Fellowship, Ultimate Frisbee, and a some tournaments on the weekends.

I am 20 now, and will graduate as a 24-year-old optometrist.
I've known i wanted to be an optometrist since i was in 8th grade.
I'm glad to start my "real life" a year sooner. I don't regret it at all.

Good luck!!!!
 
dont give up you youth....seriously...
 
I am in the joint-degree program...
Adelphi University Class of 2009
SUNY Class of 2012
I am starting SUNY Optometry in the fall, and I'm so excited!

I am the president of my ultimate frisbee team, and I'm sad to be leaving them, but I'm very happy to be cutting a useless year at Adelphi out.
I took 15-17 credits at Adelphi every semester, and I came in with 10 credits due to AP classes, etc.
I paced myself, with my general education requirements, major requirements, and the SUNY pre-requisites, and it worked out perfectly. I could take a few "fun" classes, and had time to do SGA (student government), Christian Fellowship, Ultimate Frisbee, and a some tournaments on the weekends.

I am 20 now, and will graduate as a 24-year-old optometrist.
I've known i wanted to be an optometrist since i was in 8th grade.
I'm glad to start my "real life" a year sooner. I don't regret it at all.

Good luck!!!!

WTF, a frisbee team....🙁:laugh:
 
Im in Class of 2009 at Manhattan College
and will be class of 2012 at SUNY

This program is awesome but it depends on the type of person you are and of course if you deff know this is not something you will regret. I always grew up a little faster than most people and I've always thought about the next step that I was going to take. For me, personally this was a great choice for many reasons, the most important though is that I researched the profession and knew what I was getting into. Not having my senior yr at MC was fine with me because for the most part all my friends were older and it just didnt matter to me to stay here for another yr. Its a great school but Im totally ready to move on with my life and my education. But thats just me and thats why this has all really worked out for me, but everyone is different and everyones situation is different too. However, people are right "dont grow up too fast" and "enjoy your youth", but for me those things just dont apply because ill always enjoy whatever part of my life Im in. Optometry school is going to be haaaaaaaard but it should be enjoyed and life will still be good, lol... life after undergrad is ok it can even be better!!
As for the classes and undergrad work you have to do its not bad. I mean its alot some semesters taking all the coursework but its doable and I worked every semester while taking classes its really not a big deal.
Good Luck - Hope this helps
 
unless you went to an undergrad where you were beaten everyday, there is no way going to suny will be considered greaaaaaat.

life after undergrad at suny is going to suck, prepare accordingly.

out of everybody at this school, ill say one person wakes up everyday thinking "HOT DAMN, its optometry time! life is great!"

i am totally serious


good luck (seriously)
 
hmmm...it would be so nice if I graduate optometry school at the age of 24....I would be 30 by the time I finish (just got in this year..starting this fall)...awww...it took me stumbling a couple years as an undergrad, and working as a tech for a year to figure out that I want to do optometry....but I am the kind of person that would like to find out as much pros and cons, and have lots of exposure before I make the commitment.

I am happy now, but would be happier if I can finish earlier like you, cmec429. 🙂
 
1 less year of schooling = 1 less year of debt

Simple as that


One caveat: Just make sure that you really do want to do optometry before you commit.
 
Thanks for all ur replies! It really helps me alot! I think I'm gonna go for it! 🙂
 
which undergrad schools are better for this program? is lehigh good? or binghamton? i heard that CUNY has a really strong program for this... but i just wanted to hear other people's perspectives on this
 
I did the 3-4 program with binghamton, and I'm currently a third year in SUNY. I really don't think it matters what undergrad you go to because you take so few science courses there, most of the sciences courses that you take (to fulfill your undergrad degree) is at SUNY.

I would really recommend the 3-4 program, it saves a years worth of tuition, and a year of your life! I'll be 24 years old when I graduate with an OD (just shy of my 25th birthday) And i feel like i have not wasted too much of my life slaving away at the books. =)
 
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