Interested in optometry,need serious guidance (would appreciate any feedback!)

[iggles]

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a little background on me: Entering my senior year at a university in california, Will graduate with a B.S in human bio before my 21st birthday. Roughly 3.0 gpa ~2.8 sgpa. I took the bulk of my harder science classes my junior year which caused both of my gpas to drop. I'm taking all the my easier science requirements this year so I should atleast finish with a 3.0 sgpa. I was a pre-pharm student but decided to make the switch to optometry because I aspire to own a practice, something that would be much harder to do in pharmacy. I also like the the fact that optometry has a lot of patient contact, while we don't have much in pharmacy.

Gen chem: D+( retook at got C) / B
Ochem: A/ B
Cell bio: C+/ C+
Physics: C+/ B

Even though my science grades are way below competitive, I did finish in the top of some of my science classes. For instance even tho I got a B in gen chem II, I had the third highest grade in my class (out of 100). Same goes for physcis II. Should I talk about this in my essay or do you think its too pretentious?

I really feel like I can ace my next round of science classes now that I have taken care of some issues I had earlier in my UG career. Plus the classes are easier!


Minor in psychology (3.8 gpa)

I'm contacting ODs to shadow asap.

So here are my questions, I know this is a lot of questions and also might be readily available on the web, but I know that many other forums sugar coat things and usually SDN is as straightforward as it comes. Also this thread might be a good resource for other aspiring ODs so please take my questions seriously. A lot of these questions were asked on this site before but the ones I found were 5+ years old. I don't want to base my future career decisions on outdated info. So here are my questions.

-Is there a centralized website for optometry where I can compare and contrast different requirements and entrance statistics(gpa + oat scores) of different schools like the pharmcas.org for pharmacy? I went to opted.org but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for.

-I want to get into an OD program asap after i graduate in may 2013. When would be the best time to study for and take the OAT and apply to schools? Which book do you recommend to study off of?

-With a 3.2 cum and a 3.0 sgpa, would should I shoot for on my OAT?

-Where can I find a reliable source for the job outlook for ODs in 2017+? I know atleast in pharmacy there are a lot of made up statistics to trick people into thinking the job outlook is good for pharmacists. If someone could find me the job outlook specifically for California that would be even better.

-What is an accurate average salary for someone right out of OD school?

-What can I do to make myself more competitive in the job market after OD school? Would you recommend a residency?

I have a few more questions but I'll only ask if this thread takes off. Thanks for reading!

 

[Shnurek]

3.0 GPA + California? Better apply to WesternU and then have fun working commercial after you graduate (if you even get in). If you like the money and don't mind Lenscrafters, Walmart etc. then more power to you.

Oh ya and I hope you won't have $200k in loans because you are just shooting yourself in the foot.

 

[Poetic Silence]

3.0 GPA + California? Better apply to WesternU and then have fun working commercial after you graduate (if you even get in). If you like the money and don't mind Lenscrafters, Walmart etc. then more power to you.

Oh ya and I hope you won't have $200k in loans because you are just shooting yourself in the foot.

WTF?! Did Jason hack your account? 😕

 

[iggles]

3.0 GPA + California? Better apply to WesternU and then have fun working commercial after you graduate (if you even get in). If you like the money and don't mind Lenscrafters, Walmart etc. then more power to you.

Oh ya and I hope you won't have $200k in loans because you are just shooting yourself in the foot.

I like how you read the entire post and replied with concise and unbiased information. Thanks for your input.

 

[tmoney35]

With that gpa, you'll definitely need to rock the OAT, probably 350-360 range. Having your own practice is getting to be very difficult with the emergence of corporate optometry like walmart etc.

You could avoid a lot of those problems by opening up shop in a rural area though I know a lot of people don't want to do that.

Some schools do ask specifically if you have any extenuating circumstances leading to poor grades.

 

[happymango]

-Is there a centralized website for optometry where I can compare and contrast different requirements and entrance statistics(gpa + oat scores) of different schools like the pharmcas.org for pharmacy? I went to opted.org but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for.

-I want to get into an OD program asap after i graduate in may 2013. When would be the best time to study for and take the OAT and apply to schools? Which book do you recommend to study off of?

-With a 3.2 cum and a 3.0 sgpa, would should I shoot for on my OAT?

-Where can I find a reliable source for the job outlook for ODs in 2017+? I know atleast in pharmacy there are a lot of made up statistics to trick people into thinking the job outlook is good for pharmacists. If someone could find me the job outlook specifically for California that would be even better.

-What is an accurate average salary for someone right out of OD school?

-What can I do to make myself more competitive in the job market after OD school? Would you recommend a residency?

I have a few more questions but I'll only ask if this thread takes off. Thanks for reading!

You've got to do a some research for yourself - you say you've tried to find the answers to these questions but for one reason or another could not? If the information was so unattainable, how would you expect us to know it? I googled "optometry school statistics" and clicked the first link. Then, I scrolled down: http://www.opted.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3344

The second question could be answered by going to an optometry school website. Berkeley even made a timeline to break it down even further.

Most of the other questions can be answered by scouring this and the optometry forum. You could even google optometry salary.

 

[iggles]

With that gpa, you'll definitely need to rock the OAT, probably 350-360 range. Having your own practice is getting to be very difficult with the emergence of corporate optometry like walmart etc.

You could avoid a lot of those problems by opening up shop in a rural area though I know a lot of people don't want to do that.

Some schools do ask specifically if you have any extenuating circumstances leading to poor grades.

Do you suggest I do some kind of post-bac program or retake some classes? Or just try to rock the oat?

 

[iggles]

You've got to do a some research for yourself - you say you've tried to find the answers to these questions but for one reason or another could not? If the information was so unattainable, how would you expect us to know it? I googled "optometry school statistics" and clicked the first link. Then, I scrolled down: http://www.opted.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3344

The second question could be answered by going to an optometry school website. Berkeley even made a timeline to break it down even further.

Most of the other questions can be answered by scouring this and the optometry forum. You could even google optometry salary.

I went to the website directly and tried finding that page but couldn't. Thanks!

 

[csandova]

You need to rock the OAT with that GPA. As far as GPA, you should have mostly A's and B's, especially in the core courses required for optometry school (orgo, gen chem, bio, etc.), Since you have a couple of C's, I would personally take those courses over. Keep in mind that optometry is competitive.

Also about the deadlines, you want to go to school right after graduation, so in Fall 2013? In that case, you need to apply ASAP. A lot of us have already sent in our applications and have interviews lined up. In addition, a lot of people have already taken the OAT. I'm taking it in October because I'm still studying (I've been studying for about 3 months).

Good luck with everything!

 

[iggles]

You need to rock the OAT with that GPA. As far as GPA, you should have mostly A's and B's, especially in the core courses required for optometry school (orgo, gen chem, bio, etc.), Since you have a couple of C's, I would personally take those courses over. Keep in mind that optometry is competitive.

Also about the deadlines, you want to go to school right after graduation, so in Fall 2013? In that case, you need to apply ASAP. A lot of us have already sent in our applications and have interviews lined up. In addition, a lot of people have already taken the OAT. I'm taking it in October because I'm still studying (I've been studying for about 3 months).

Good luck with everything!

i guess at this rate I'll be entering the class of 2014. I dont want to rush into anything just yet. Thanks!