Few questions about application process...

[OnionKnight]

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Hey guys, I'm new here (heard about this site from my school's career center). I'm planning to apply for optometry school next fall, and have a few questions for all you guys that have done this before.

How necessary is lab research experience? I have a year's experience in it, and did not like it very much so I didn't continue. How much research, if any, have you guys done? Also, is age factored into admissions at all? I'm gonna be like 20 when applying, so not sure if that's too young to apply or something. Thanks for all your insight.

 

[rallthenamesgon]

20??????? That's a perfect age. I wish that I would have thought about Opt school back then (I was too busy partying😉 ). Trust me, if you apply and get accepted you will be in great shape👍 .

 

[tcshin]

I did not have any research experience because i knew that i did not want to do research. My pursuit of optometry was because of the patients. Any experience is great as long as you learn from it. You didn't like the lab research area, which is fine.. but try having some clinical experience (or any job/internship) related to the optometric field. That way you can see if optometry is for you and if you have what it takes (personality, social skills,etc) to assist patients with the utmost care. I tried to really understand what i was getting myself into by shadowing doctors, volunteering at lions optometric vision clinic, being involved in the optometry club on my campus, working at some eye clinics, and now working at a private practice. Just check it out and have fun! it may make you 😀 or 😴 .. never hurts to gain experience! 🙂

20 is a great age! good luck!

 

[OnionKnight]

Thanks for the input; I appreciate your information on this. Just out of curiosity, which schools tend to be the most popular? I hear PCO and NECO pretty frequently mentioned around these forums, but not much else.

 

[braxton]

Thanks for the input; I appreciate your information on this. Just out of curiosity, which schools tend to be the most popular? I hear PCO and NECO pretty frequently mentioned around these forums, but not much else.

As of lately those schools seem to be the hot topic. Earlier on in the application process all schools were talked about quite a bit.

 

[daysend85]

I've had quite a bit of research experience during my undergrad bio curriculum but only one major formal research project, my senior thesis which was not related to optometry. I also never worked for an optometric chain or anything like that. You really have look at your stats and what will show on your transcript. I have a high GPA and high pre-req GPA and decent OAT score, but not too much volunteer experience, etc. They just want to know overall if you will be a good optometrist, this includes personality and grades, personality being more important on interview day. That being said, I strongly recommend that you shadow an optometrist. That way, you'll know whether or not optometry is for you.