Backup plan suggestions

[RLK]

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I didn't get in to optometry school last year, but I'm going to reapply as soon as possible. If I cannot get in again, do you have any backup plan suggestions?

I was going to apply to pharmacy school, and I guess I probably will but I really want to go to optometry school. I work at a pharmacy and it doesn't seem nearly as interesting to me as optometry did when I did some shadowing.

This is frustrating for me because I'm not too sure what to do.

 

[drbizzaro]

I didn't get in to optometry school last year, but I'm going to reapply as soon as possible. If I cannot get in again, do you have any backup plan suggestions?

I was going to apply to pharmacy school, and I guess I probably will but I really want to go to optometry school. I work at a pharmacy and it doesn't seem nearly as interesting to me as optometry did when I did some shadowing.

This is frustrating for me because I'm not too sure what to do.

you would be best not to try and go another route... otherwise you'll probably have a grudge against the whole curriculum (since it'll be your #2 choice instead of #1)... i say apply to more than 4 schools, and i'm pretty sure you'll get in... if things look bad, apply to inter american (purto rico), as it's easier to get accepted there

 

[RLK]

you would be best not to try and go another route... otherwise you'll probably have a grudge against the whole curriculum (since it'll be your #2 choice instead of #1)... i say apply to more than 4 schools, and i'm pretty sure you'll get in... if things look bad, apply to inter american (purto rico), as it's easier to get accepted there

You're probably right. While I've been thinking of what to do about pharmacy I've been posting msgs in the pharmacy forum. I don't seem to be making many friends there. I guess no one wants to hear of their profession as someone's backup plan or second choice. I can understand that. There are probably 2 or 3 times as many pharmacy schools though so I would imagine I'm not the first person who's thought of it as their backup choice.

I'm still not sure what the heck I'm gonna do. I just don't want to keep taking undergrad classes forever and not go anywhere.

 

[heatfenn]

It's a smaller profession, but have you ever heard of Orthoptics? That's what I did after undergrad. I got my Masters in Clinical Vision Science and did an orthoptics degree....you become and eye muscle specialist and treat children with amblyopia and strabismus (turned eyes and lazy eyes). You would work in a hospital setting and it's a really great career. If eyes are your thing and optometry isn't working out, perhaps you should check this out. My boyfriend is an optometrist and it's amazing how much the two professions overlap. Good luck

I didn't get in to optometry school last year, but I'm going to reapply as soon as possible. If I cannot get in again, do you have any backup plan suggestions?

I was going to apply to pharmacy school, and I guess I probably will but I really want to go to optometry school. I work at a pharmacy and it doesn't seem nearly as interesting to me as optometry did when I did some shadowing.

This is frustrating for me because I'm not too sure what to do.

 

[RLK]

It's a smaller profession, but have you ever heard of Orthoptics? That's what I did after undergrad. I got my Masters in Clinical Vision Science and did an orthoptics degree....you become and eye muscle specialist and treat children with amblyopia and strabismus (turned eyes and lazy eyes). You would work in a hospital setting and it's a really great career. If eyes are your thing and optometry isn't working out, perhaps you should check this out. My boyfriend is an optometrist and it's amazing how much the two professions overlap. Good luck

That sounds pretty interesting. Do you still do this?

 

[heatfenn]

That sounds pretty interesting. Do you still do this?

Hi there....yeah I do. I just finished my Orthoptics training and I just became licensed in June. I'm working in a local Children's Hospital, while I finish my research for the Masters portion. It is a really interesting career, for sure. I'm very glad that I chose it, but (as luck would have it), jobs are limited in areas that my optometrist boyfriend wants to work. So, I'm doing Orthoptics as a career and, in the meantime, making an attempt to get into Optometry. Honestly, there is such a huge overlap, that it's frustrating to think I'd have to go to school and take courses that I've already done. But, if I don't get in, that's fine bec I love my new career. If you ever want to find out anything about the program, go to www.dal.ca/~cvs......enjoy.

 

[rpames]

It's a smaller profession, but have you ever heard of Orthoptics?

I'm not very familiar with this field, which makes me feel pretty out the loop since I grew up with optometry. I did some reading on orthoptics and it sound very similar to Pediatric & BV specialized optometrists, is that accurate? I also read you work with ophthalmologist in your treatment of patients, can you also work with ODs? Optometry was not mentioned in any of the web pages that I read. I would think we would work well together.

I guess I'm asking how/if ODs and orthotists (sp?) work together?

 

[heatfenn]

I'm not very familiar with this field, which makes me feel pretty out the loop since I grew up with optometry. I did some reading on orthoptics and it sound very similar to Pediatric & BV specialized optometrists, is that accurate? I also read you work with ophthalmologist in your treatment of patients, can you also work with ODs? Optometry was not mentioned in any of the web pages that I read. I would think we would work well together.

I guess I'm asking how/if ODs and orthotists (sp?) work together?

That is very accurate....our profession is BV and muscle speacialization. And I agree totally with you....orthoptists would be a nice addition to and optomterist's office...unfortunately, we are only allowed to practice with Ophthalmologists. Not only that, but we aren't even allowed to take referrals from optoms...they have to send their referrals to ophthalmology and then they refer them to us (at least that's how it works in Canada). I think this is a bit crazy....we should be able to work for whom ever we want. I would love to work with my boyfriend in his practice, however my Orthoptic governing body prohibits that. Hence the not being able to work where you want aspect...you ultimately have to go where there is a pediatric/adult/strabismus or neurophthalmology opening with an orthoptist. Hopefully, one day, we will be able to work with you guys!

 

[drbizzaro]

That is very accurate....our profession is BV and muscle speacialization. And I agree totally with you....orthoptists would be a nice addition to and optomterist's office...unfortunately, we are only allowed to practice with Ophthalmologists. Not only that, but we aren't even allowed to take referrals from optoms...they have to send their referrals to ophthalmology and then they refer them to us (at least that's how it works in Canada). I think this is a bit crazy....we should be able to work for whom ever we want. I would love to work with my boyfriend in his practice, however my Orthoptic governing body prohibits that. Hence the not being able to work where you want aspect...you ultimately have to go where there is a pediatric/adult/strabismus or neurophthalmology opening with an orthoptist. Hopefully, one day, we will be able to work with you guys!

i've actually heard more bad stories than good about friends/husbands/wives working together in practice... i'm not sure why,but it seems like alot of the time they end up getting upset at each other over the smallest things...

 

[rpames]

It seems like a lot of the ODs from my fathers generation have their wives as office managers. My mom is not my dad's, but she always says that if he could pay her what she is worth she would do it. 😀 My wife is a teacher, but she plans to stop working once we have kids. At that time she is going to take over many of the office manager responsibilities. We have a finished lower level at the office so she can set up down there and have the kid with her. There is a nice kitchenette too so she can make food too.

 

[drbizzaro]

It seems like a lot of the ODs from my fathers generation have their wives as office managers. My mom is not my dad's, but she always says that if he could pay her what she is worth she would do it. 😀 My wife is a teacher, but she plans to stop working once we have kids. At that time she is going to take over many of the office manager responsibilities. We have a finished lower level at the office so she can set up down there and have the kid with her. There is a nice kitchenette too so she can make food too.

wow... that's pretty cool... i guess with the people i spoke with (since they were both doctors), perhaps they didn't get along because of issues with who is in charge of what? i'm not sure about the details...

but in terms of close school friends working together... have you heard any differently? ie. partnering up in a practice...(i heard it usually ruins in the friendships)

 

[heatfenn]

wow... that's pretty cool... i guess with the people i spoke with (since they were both doctors), perhaps they didn't get along because of issues with who is in charge of what? i'm not sure about the details...

but in terms of close school friends working together... have you heard any differently? ie. partnering up in a practice...(i heard it usually ruins in the friendships)

I have heard of it ruining friendships. But I've had some experience working with my boyfriend in his practice already. While going to school to become an orthoptist, I worked for him as his receptionist (to get some extra money). It was hard at times, but for the most part it was fun....Just have to separate work from home, which can be a challenge.