How would you feel??

[mthomas2]

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Hi,

I'm not a pre med student but a pre optometry student. I figured I would post here because I am a non trad. student (36 years old). Here's my story...
After having a very successful company and a successful career in radio, I left it all to return to school (1 yr. and a half ago) to complete pre reqs for optometry school. I worked very hard to maintain good grades, do well in my OAT(which I did), and prepare my life by paying off debt (including my mortgage & car) to commit to 4 years of intense optometry school. I'm remarried and I have 2 teenage girls (13 & 18). I am unable to move, so I applied to only one school that fortunately for me is 10 mins. away from home and I was granted an interview. Here's the deal...

The school called me yesterday and told me I was accepted!! Yay right!?!?

However, they accepted me in the "extended program", 5 years instead of 4 years. 😱

The 5 year program is for returning students, students with family and other commitments, change of career etc.

I know I fit this category, but I also prepared very hard to concentrate 100% for optometry school.

I know I should be very happy that at least I was accepted given the fact that it was the only school I applied to and the only school in my entire state.

It's just that my heart was set on four years and taking the extended program, in my opinion, is just prolonging me from getting my career started.

Obviously, I will accept the seat, but I'm a little bummed out. Mostly because I'm 36 and I'm in a rush to get started.

How would you feel???

Sorry so long, I just needed to get this out.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Yeah, I'd have mixed feelings, too. Don't worry about rushing into your new career. You'll be an optometrist for the rest of your life. One year either way really doesn't make a difference.

Try to enjoy the extended program. You'll have more time to spend with your kids before they fly the coop than if you were in the intensive program. Later in life you'll look back and appreciate that.

 

[Lagniappe]

Congratulations on everything you've accomplished so far! Can you give me your tips on the paying off debt thing...?🙂

I understand why you feel excited yet disappointed at the same time. A couple of suggestions (I'm not familiar with the optometry program, so forgive me if something is I suggest is completely unheard of in the optometrical world): a. Perhaps they think they are doing you a favor by offering you a position in the extended program. They may not be aware of how well you've prepared, financially speaking, for your school commitment. Could you accept what they've offered but ask if there's any possibility to transfer to the regular 4 year program? b. Is the 5 year program less intense because the class load is spread out over a longer period of time? If so, maybe you could use the lighter schedule as an opportunity to do some part-time work to supplement your income (which I'm sure would come in handy with teenage girls😉 ).

Anyway, I don't know if this helps you any, but congratulations again and best of luck!

 

[mthomas2]

Try to enjoy the extended program. You'll have more time to spend with your kids before they fly the coop than if you were in the intensive program. Later in life you'll look back and appreciate that.

This is true. Thanks!

 

[mthomas2]

Congratulations on everything you've accomplished so far! Can you give me your tips on the paying off debt thing...?🙂

I understand why you feel excited yet disappointed at the same time. A couple of suggestions (I'm not familiar with the optometry program, so forgive me if something is I suggest is completely unheard of in the optometrical world): a. Perhaps they think they are doing you a favor by offering you a position in the extended program. They may not be aware of how well you've prepared, financially speaking, for your school commitment. Could you accept what they've offered but ask if there's any possibility to transfer to the regular 4 year program? b. Is the 5 year program less intense because the class load is spread out over a longer period of time? If so, maybe you could use the lighter schedule as an opportunity to do some part-time work to supplement your income (which I'm sure would come in handy with teenage girls😉 ).

Anyway, I don't know if this helps you any, but congratulations again and best of luck!

Luckly, I sold my business which paid off any debts I had which wasn't much. And as far as the mortgage, I remarried he owned a house which he sold and we decided to pay off my house which worked out so well. But we made these decisions with the idea to live simple in order for me to go back to school. Anyway, you do know more about the optometry program than you think you do. Thanks for the advice. I am waiting for the official letter to see if anything can be done, otherwise, I will just do the 5 year program and be happy.

 

[Dream2BNMD]

Well, congrats on the acceptance! You are losing site of that.
Ok, so both of those things being said, I am 34, have another year of pre-reqs and then intend on applying to the only medical school in our state. I dropped out of pre-med twice, both times because I was so caught up on the destination and not the journey. I think it is important to enjoy the trip-because your girls are teens, maybe the universe knows better than you with this extended 5 year plan. Just a thought.

 

[abyssinianson]

you got offered a seat. take it. would I feel different about being offered 5 years instead of 4? No. you got offered a seat and THAT is the main point.

 

[cfdavid]

I would accept the position given it's proximity to your home (and thus not needing to uproot your family) under the circumstances. THEN, after you've formally accepted, and perhaps even secured a deposit, you could try to negotiate to do it in 4.

I wouldn't take it personally though. They may have made some assumptions given the information they had on hand. Ask them why you were accepted under such circumstances, and then address their concerns. Good luck.

 

[itek2OD]

congratulations on the acceptance

i'm 34 and pre op so i understand how you want to get these years out of the way asap. spreading the years out could give u more family time. however, since u haven't mentioned it, maybe the school has a bachelor's requirement you have not fulfilled? some opt schools req a bsc/bs/ba. if so, maybe u can take some courses now to cut them down, like some humanities courses ie ethics, etc.

good luck!

 

[iiiimonica]

five versus four years? c'mon you know how fast time flies (weren't your girls babies just a little while ago?) it'll go fast and having the program spread out will be nice - a slower pace will allow you to watch your daughters grow up and actually have a life with your husband.

if you really really want to do it in 4 years, then after the first semester (when you get stellar grades) petition to do it four.

good luck and you will do great😍

 

[mthomas2]

congratulations on the acceptance

i'm 34 and pre op so i understand how you want to get these years out of the way asap. spreading the years out could give u more family time. however, since u haven't mentioned it, maybe the school has a bachelor's requirement you have not fulfilled? some opt schools req a bsc/bs/ba. if so, maybe u can take some courses now to cut them down, like some humanities courses ie ethics, etc.

good luck!

Yes, I have a BA in communications and returned to do the science pre reqs. Maybe that was one of the deciding factors, not a strong science background???

 

[mthomas2]

maybe the universe knows better than you with this extended 5 year plan. Just a thought.

Good point, I was thinking this as well.