A couple of questions:

[J.opt]

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I have a couple of questions:
-Most optometrists I have talked to about shadowing this summer have told me that I may shadow them 1 or ? a day. Is it OK to ask an optometrist for a recommendation letter after only knowing me for 1 or ? day? Or do I have to look for an optometrist who would let me shadow him for more than one day?

-Is 1 (or ? day) the norm when shadowing?

-I am going to apply to probably 3 schools. Let?s say that each school requires 3 recommendation letters. Do I need to find 3 people to write 3 letters each for me? Or would I need 9 people to write one letter per person?

I just realized that schools are going to start accepting applications in august and I?m starting to freak out because I?ll be gone for the whole month of July.

Also, I emailed Lee to see if we could get an Optometry School Interview Feedback section. He said that he could add it, which would be awesome because that way we could put in one place all the interview info that is scattered all over the place.

Thank you guys 😀

 

[Tony.]

I have a couple of questions:
-Most optometrists I have talked to about shadowing this summer have told me that I may shadow them 1 or ? a day. Is it OK to ask an optometrist for a recommendation letter after only knowing me for 1 or ? day? Or do I have to look for an optometrist who would let me shadow him for more than one day?

-Is 1 (or ? day) the norm when shadowing?

-I am going to apply to probably 3 schools. Let?s say that each school requires 3 recommendation letters. Do I need to find 3 people to write 3 letters each for me? Or would I need 9 people to write one letter per person?

I just realized that schools are going to start accepting applications in august and I?m starting to freak out because I?ll be gone for the whole month of July.

Also, I emailed Lee to see if we could get an Optometry School Interview Feedback section. He said that he could add it, which would be awesome because that way we could put in one place all the interview info that is scattered all over the place.

Thank you guys 😀

j.opt, nothing against you but, after reading your post, i laughed to myself a little bit b/c i remember going through what you're going through last year!! my stomach kept turning and i felt sick and worried about the OAT ect. (its wierd but once you've been accepted to optometry school, you start visiting the SDN ophthalmology threads....
in any case here is some advice from someone thats already been through what you're going through:
1. it perfectly ok for you to ask for a recommendation letter from an OD that you just shaddowed once. im telling you this b/c thats what i did and they were more than happy to do so ( and whats the worst that can happen, they say no? there are p.l.e.n.t.y of other OD's that wanna help you). although i would RECOMMEND that you get to know the optometrist a little bit more than just a day or so, just b/c you'd feel better in an interview speaking about your experiences with an OD....you know?
2. you ask what the 'norm' is for shaddowing. personally, i suggest you intern with an OD for AT LEAST a couple of weeks. thats what i did last summer; for the whole freakin' summer. i remember just calling an OD in the area, i told her that i'd like to watch her work with patients etc. she was more than welcoming and even let me peek into her slit lamp a few times to show me things......you'd be amazed how welcoming OD's are with students....
so , yeah, bottom line, you can shaddow for 1 or 2 days but i think if you find it interesting enough, you can make time and get to learn a lot more
3. as far as the recommendation letters: pick 3 DIFFERENT OD's to write you a rec. letter. i remember when i did my shaddowing, i was able to shaddow an OD that worked in a low vision clinic, a OD that had his own private practice and an OD that worked in a group practice. seeing the different setting that od's work in will give you a more comprehensive view of the field of optometry.....
3. last but not least; applications. THE SOONER YOU SEND YOUR APPLICATION IN, THE BETTER ! have family and friends look over everthing you submit etc. also, you should send it early b/c you....really want to get it out of the way so you can give yourself time to ONLY think about the OAT and nothing else....
hope that helps

 

[acurael]

dont stress out too much about applying early.....you dont have to apply in august on like the first day applications become available....i'd say november would be a good time

hey i didnt apply until mid january, even mid febuary for some schools...i still got in....i think it might depend on which schools you apply at, some fill up faster, but it might also depend how high your grades/OAT are....

 

[cpw]

but, most schools do rolling admissions so it's easier to get in the earlier you apply (in general)

Shadow as much as you can.. but all three of your letters don't have to come from ODs. Get one from a prof that knows you well, someone you've done research for, and OD, etc. But you can have them write you three copies for the schools you're applying to... you don't have to get nine different people if you're applying to three schools.

 

[J.opt]

Awesome, thanks for your input 🙂 . I shadowed an optometrist Friday and the guy worked in the best practice I have seen so far. It was great; I got to see tons of interesting stuff 👍 .

 

[Potato!]

J. Opt: From my personal experience, I would suggest really getting to know one optometrist if you can, and get him to write you the same letter to all 3 schools. If you volunteer on a weekly basis (say every Saturday), for 2 or 3 monthes, it'll form a strong relationship...and if he/she really likes you, you might be able to work with him after you graduate optom school. I've heard of ppl doing this in the past.

Secondly, as acureal (sp?) said, you can probably get away with applying later, but as all schools go on rolling admissions, why take the extra risk?

 

[acurael]

its acura el...as in the car 😀 ...anyways ya apply early if you can, but dont worry if you dont......thats all im saying
if you're ready to apply do it as soon as possible 👍