desperate need of help!!

[Pri18]

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hi everyone,

so i have a major questions,
im so confused as far as my major goes...
however, what i do know is that i want to do optometry, but
do any of you recommend a major that is good in order to prepare me for the OAT's or just the profession in general......???
GoSH life can get so hard!!! heheh!!!
i look forward to hearing from you all!!

thanks
take care
Pri

 

[alleigh79]

I think as long as you take the required prerequisites you will be prepared. Plus additional OAT study material. I've been told (by a couple of schools and people on this forum) that they do not care what your major is - just want you to have the required classes before admissions. I've not taken the OAT yet so others will be able to give you a little more insight.....

 

[Oogilily]

Major in biology. I think that best prepares you for the courses in optometry. If I had to do it all over again, I would have gotten a minor in business too. But, I am really interested in biology so that was the natural choice for me. Any science major would really work the best as compared to non-science majors.

Also check out this thread for more information regarding majors and getting into Opto school.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=451339

 

[JeffChou]

Biology. It certainly isn't necessary to major in biology to do well on your OAT or in optometry school, but it seems rather appropriate since the OAT tests biology, and a larger background in biology would certainly seem to help in optometry school.

With a biology major, you will likely be more familiar with the science you will encounter. Your breadth requirements for the major will help you on the OAT (gchem, ochem, physics) and you won't need to take extra (or few) classes to cover your pre-requisites for admission since the major will most likely fulfill them anyway.

I'm double majoring in biology and international studies and can say without a doubt that a major in biology prepares me more for optometry school than if I just had a major in international studies + the pre-requisite classes (my original plan). It certainly isn't necessary to major in biology--I took the OAT and did very well before I declared a major in biology--make sure you weigh the benefits of your decision and choose what you are most interested in studying.

 

[blueeyedOD]

I did engineering. But if I could do it over, I would have been a biochem or a microbiology major. Those were my favorite classes. Go with what you like; you'll do better.

 

[brownyeyed]

Biochemistry all the way!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sniklegem]

Major in whatever makes you happy. 😎

Cause if you know you want to do optometry, then enjoy your undergrad years: just as long as you get your prereqs.

 

[pre-opt]

I feel very strongly about choosing a major in which you are most interested in. I was in the exact same situation as you. I knew that I wanted to be an optometrist whenever I was in high school, but only decided between my 1st and 2nd year of undergrad that I wanted to major in psychology. I ended up getting into optometry school before finishing my degree, but I absolutely loved my psychology classes that I took. I had thought about being a biology major (like most other people), but was apprehensive of being stuck being a biology teacher if I did not get into optometry school. I had decided that psychology would be a better route beca use my back-up plan was to become a high school couselor, which would have also made me happy. Go with your heart. I took a chance and am glad that I did. Just make sure that you get a good enough OAT...that way it will show that you have a strong enough science background to get you thru optometry school. Good luck with your decision.

 

[RegularGuy]

You should talk to a school counselor because picking a major can be a complicated/difficult decision. You have to think about stuff like:

1) Do you enjoy the material?
2) Does the major open other doors? (Ex: Engineering and business majors can also do consulting work.)
3) Does the major help your resume/application when applying to programs?
4) Will you succeed in your major?
5) Is the pain you will suffer due to your major (especially if you're an engineering major) worth the extras you'll get in the future?
6) Will the major allow you to change to other majors if you decide to switch?
7) Will the coursework best prepare you for the field you want to study?
8) Will you have to take many additional courses to fulfill your optometry school prerequisites?

And I certainly hope that admissions teams consider majors when looking at prospective applicants. Some disciplines are simply more demanding/competitive than others.

 

[alleigh79]

My school actually offers an interdisciplinary studies major. It is a combination of 2 majors. I am combining biology with psychology. My reasoning for doing this is that I am also applying to nursing school as a back up to OD school. Nursing requires more psychology than optometry so I will be fullfilling both pre-requisites plus some. It's is always nice to have a back up plan....