Gap Year

[kek7r]

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Hi everyone,

I am a senior at UVA and I'm going to graduate this may! I decided a few months ago to take a year off before applying to optometry school because I genuinely didn't feel ready for the application and wanted more experience before I applied. I'm wondering if anyone has done this and if you have suggestions as to what kind of work I should look for? I am planning on finding a job in the field-- hopefully as a tech in an optometrist's office somewhere! Or if I can't find a job, at least volunteering and shadowing a lot while I put my applications in next June.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[JMU07]

Definitely use the time wisely and try to find a job working for an optometrist. Volunteer work is also great and a good way to strengthen your application. 👍 It's fairly common for people to take a year off, so no worries.

 

[physicslover]

yup im doing that but i having trouble finding a job for an optometrist.... hopefully will work out soon :s

 

[kek7r]

Thanks guys! What made me think about this is that I met with a UIW Optometry School representative who was visiting UVA this morning, and he almost seemed concerned that I was planning a gap year and encouraged me to put my application in this year. I'm not planning on taking the OAT until January and I want to do really well and only take it once. I don't want to rush the process! I'm pretty set on a gap year, but it always makes me feel better to hear that other people are in the same boat!

 

[optsuker]

Unless you are truly undecided about being an optometrist, have financial issues, or a family/personal issue going on, I do not think sitting out a year is a good idea.

Everyone's scared a little, that's normal. Going forward anyway is a sign of maturity.
If you're worried about not getting accepted, apply anyway! As Ken says, "Don't reject yourself, let them do it" At worst, it will be a good learning experience to go through the application process. You'll also have to explain that gap year at every interview (not a positive).

Financially, it seldom makes sense to delay one more year before you enter the high income earning pool.

If you want to be an OD, the sooner the better.