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Hi guys,
After doing much reading in optometry, I am considering applying for an optometry school next month. I graduated with a bachelors in biomedical engineering (concentrated in medical optics), and a masters also in biomedical engineering (gpa around a 3.2- engineering is a guaranteed gpa butt kicker =/ ). I have a feeling the optics background will help me out once I'm in opto school, but for admissions purposes, optical engineering =/= optometrist's work with patients. This year I'm doing a lot of image processing for MRI scans at reputable university as an engineer.
As you can see, I have zero experience with actual patient care in the field of optometry. I also have not taken the OAT nor all the required classes (I was a pre-med so I have most of them, but I'm missing out on the psychology/microbio classes).
My question is essentially what to do in this application year? I understand I'll be studying my arse off for the OAT (I'll probably take it in September); I'll definitely secure myself volunteering experiences also. There's a good chance I will have to register to round out those missing classes as well.
Given all that, however, is still not a great way to spend the entire year. What else do you suggest to prep for Opt school? Continue in my regular engineering job and just take the courses/test prep/volunteering as extracurriculars (this is my last choice; I'd rather start something more geared towards Opto this year).
I've noticed many medical schools offer 'post-bac' programs for students that don't have the necessary coursework- is there something similar for optometry (I haven't found anything, yet)?
I appreciate all your advice!
After doing much reading in optometry, I am considering applying for an optometry school next month. I graduated with a bachelors in biomedical engineering (concentrated in medical optics), and a masters also in biomedical engineering (gpa around a 3.2- engineering is a guaranteed gpa butt kicker =/ ). I have a feeling the optics background will help me out once I'm in opto school, but for admissions purposes, optical engineering =/= optometrist's work with patients. This year I'm doing a lot of image processing for MRI scans at reputable university as an engineer.
As you can see, I have zero experience with actual patient care in the field of optometry. I also have not taken the OAT nor all the required classes (I was a pre-med so I have most of them, but I'm missing out on the psychology/microbio classes).
My question is essentially what to do in this application year? I understand I'll be studying my arse off for the OAT (I'll probably take it in September); I'll definitely secure myself volunteering experiences also. There's a good chance I will have to register to round out those missing classes as well.
Given all that, however, is still not a great way to spend the entire year. What else do you suggest to prep for Opt school? Continue in my regular engineering job and just take the courses/test prep/volunteering as extracurriculars (this is my last choice; I'd rather start something more geared towards Opto this year).
I've noticed many medical schools offer 'post-bac' programs for students that don't have the necessary coursework- is there something similar for optometry (I haven't found anything, yet)?
I appreciate all your advice!
