3 years or 4 years

[AfterMath]

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I was wondering how many people just took three years of pre opt and how many have their bach degree. I would much rather just take the three years of pre optometry classes, is that a bad idea?

 

[luvthemhogs]

I went for four years. A few in my class did it in three. I'm glad I went four years, since I could kind of slack off my school work after I was accepted and had my most fun my last year. From a financial perspective, it makes most sense to go three years, obviously from one less year of undergrad expenses, but also because of the opportunity cost. You'll graduate a year later than you could, causing you to lose a whole year's salary if you do go a fourth year. But at this point in my life, I'm glad I did live it up while I still could.

 

[cunikki]

i would have to say that not having a bachelors degree unnecessarily hinders your ability to get into school. schools are much less likely to admit students without a bachelors degree, many schools will not even consider an applicant unless they have a bachelors degree. if you are an exceptionally strong candidate it probably means you are getting reallly good grades in school so why wouldnt you just graduate? patients already have a hard enough time dealing with 'doctors' that appear soo young; so you really arent helping yourself out there. i really dont understand why you need to be in such a rush? what are you gaining besides losing a year of college (one of the funnest times in your life).

 

[aam0050]

I received my BS in about four years (graduated last August) and took this past year off from school to just work and relax before starting optometry school. I'm not the type to take a break (I took every summer session in undergrad!) but I needed to take this one because there was only a week between graduation and optometry school if I entered last year, and I'm not THAT crazy! Good luck in figuring out which route you want to take... either choice will work out fine.

 

[JMU07]

I graduate in December, thus giving me my BS in three and a half years. (I did summer session every year too!) I'm looking forward to having a break in between schools where I can just work and save up money. Would I take a year off if I were graduating in the spring? I don't know. But here's what I think: It's always good to have a degree under your belt, in case optometry doesn't work out for you.

 

[jefguth]

I was wondering how many people just took three years of pre opt and how many have their bach degree. I would much rather just take the three years of pre optometry classes, is that a bad idea?

I entered ICO after three years of undergrad without a degree. As long as your grades and OAT scores are decent no one is really going to care b/c it will not influence your optometry school performance.

 

[alleigh79]

What are the chances of one getting in without a BS? Do you basically have to have 4.00 gpa and excellent OAT scores?? I would love to get in after 3 yrs b/c I am a non-traditional student and not going into optometry school @ 21-22 yrs old.... I'll be 30 which; no - is not old 🙂 but I'd like to get my career started!

 

[sniklegem]

No degree: 1-2% is a good percentage for SCO just about every year. My class had 3, I think the entering class is about 2, if that. It's rare, let's put it that way.

My class had 124, if you wanted to know.

 

[rallthenamesgon]

What are the chances of one getting in without a BS? Do you basically have to have 4.00 gpa and excellent OAT scores?? I would love to get in after 3 yrs b/c I am a non-traditional student and not going into optometry school @ 21-22 yrs old.... I'll be 30 which; no - is not old 🙂 but I'd like to get my career started!

I agree with alleigh79, not every applicant for Optometry school is a 22 or 23 years old graduate. For those who are in their late 20s or early 30s, completing 3years of undergrad and then going on to Optometry school is more convenient. So I would say apply during your third year and if you get accepted great, if not then you can still finish your degree for the next year's cycle.