need advice

[dsmith]

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i need all the advice I can get for my situation:

can I go to optometry school after almost 10 years after graduating from an undergrad school??!!
I graduated with a B.S in Biology back in 2001. My GPA was 3.0. Since graduation, I took one year off, and then worked at a Mortgage company for 2yrs (since i wasn't able to find a job in biology). Then I worked as an analytical chemist for an enviromental company for 4yrs and moved to new york after I got married. Now I am currently working as a QC chemist for a nutraceutical company that manufactures vitamins. I am interested in going to optometry school. I have always been interested but never had the right motivation and the initiative to do so.. Is it too late to go back to Optometery school.. I'm turning 29 soon.
If it's not too late, can you please give me some advice on how I would go about obtaining letters of rec. from previous professors since I've been out of school for almost 10 yrs now?!!! What else do I need to do besides studying all over for the OAT? Any advice is helpful. THank you and happy thanksgiving to all...

 

[cloud99]

I think you might have to re-take all of your pre-req's as you've been out 10 years.

 

[dsmith]

Are you sure that i have to re-take all my classes? I didn't think there was a time limit?

 

[lkg2837]

Actually, I believe there is some sort of time limit.. I don't remember if it's all schools or not, but I definitely remember reading disclaimers that said pre-reqs had to have been completed sometime in the last 5/7/10 years (can't remember which). Sounds like that'd be really important for you to look into right away!

 

[blysssful]

a) No, you are not too old for optometry school. However, you have to realize that you will have additional challenges (life responsibilities, etc).

b) Find out if there indeed is an expiration date on your pre-reqs. If there isn't, you should consider retaking a few of them anyway just to refresh yourself. I'd suggest retaking cell & molecular, biochem, physiology and anatomy. I'm sure others will have other suggestions though. If you don't actually HAVE TO retake the courses, you could audit them at a CC nearby since the purpose will just be to refresh yourself. If your GPA wasn't too high before, then you might want to retake them for a grade.

c) You need to take the OAT (and do well on it). Of course I have no idea what kind of student or test taker you are, but a prep course wouldn't hurt. Kaplan is the only company I know that offers them for the OAT. Generally I would suggest to most people to just take the online class, but since you've been out of school for a while, getting a brief lecture might be useful. If you plan on retaking some courses, it would certainly be useful for the OAT.

d) I don't know what to tell you for the LORs... it will probably be the most challenging part if you plan on contacting old professors. Call the schools you are interested in and talk to the admissions director. They may be able to give you some advice in that area.

e) Apply early. The cycle starts in the summer one year before you plan on entering (i.e. if you plan on entering in the fall of 2011, the admissions cycle begins in July 2010).

Most importantly, before you begin any of this, start shadowing optometrists. Make sure that it really is what you want before you make the commitment. Shadow different offices and settings to get a feel for the different dynamics of the profession. This is by far the most invaluable part of the application process.

Good luck!