Hope for aspiring Optometrist

[fallenangel76]

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If anyone can comment on my situation and give me some words of encouragement. After working for corporate america for several years, I have come to the conclusion that I need to find a profession where I am using my knowledge, and not because I know how to kiss a**. This is my dilemma: I'm afraid that I'm not going to get into Optometry school due to my poor acedemic history. I was a bio major for 3 years in college, with my heart set on going to medical school. Was too busy partying, working, and dating that I didn't buckle down to study. My science GPA is a 2.5 when I switched out of bio becasue I was so depressed by my grades. So, with this poor background, will the Optometry schools even look at me? I know that I need to take/re-take many science pre-reqs and I know that I will get A's and B's this time around. I'm just so scared that they are going to use my past against me, despite the fact that I know that I'm more mature and determined now. Has anyone bee in my position before that can share w/me your victory story?

Thanks,
fallenangel

 

[r_salis]

Do you have any pre-req classes you'd need to take now? The schools will look at your most recent academic history and your OAT scores, weighting it much more heavilly than your old performance. I'm sure there any many more variables -- like how old your pre-req courses are (over 10 years, and they start to question), how much "new" coursework you have for them to judge you on, what the grades were on your "old" pre-reqs that you want to keep on your record, etc.

I also worked for several years before deciding to switch careers -- didn't major in bio as an undergrad, didn't have a stellar GPA. I started back as an undergrad full-time last year to take the undergrad pre-reqs I was missing, took the OAT in October, applied and interviewed at PCO and SUNY, and am waiting on my OAT scores before I get a decision about whether I'm accepted at both schools (probably in early December, I hope! 😀 )

So there's definitely hope! I'd recommend calling an admissions office or two to relate your story, they will be able to give you advice on the best way for you to proceed from here.

Good luck! 😀

 

[fallenangel76]

r_salis:
THank you for the encouragement. I know for a fact that if I decided to pursue Optometry, my plan is to start taking/re-taking some pre-reqs at a JC immediately. I will then contact the schools I'm interested in to let them know my interest.
I graduated from college 4 years ago, not too long, so my old "pre-reqs" are still pretty recent. But I definately don't want them to judge me on those grades!

Again, thanks for the words of encouragement. My next step is to interview an Optometrist about his work.

fallenangel76

 

[cpw]

What r_salis said is right on. Call the admissions offices at the school(s) you're interested in. They'll even tell you which JC they recommend and sometimes even which classes they'll count and not count. Make sure the class you register for counts for the OD school(s) you're applying to. Had I not called.. I would have registered for the wrong anatomy class. Definitely check out all your classes with an admission counselor.
Good luck.. and let us know if you have other questions.. that's what we're here for!
😀