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Need some opinion
- Thread starter Champloo
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You kind of just have to call around. All ODs have been in your spot before and had to shadow/volunteer at some point. Although you only need one letter for your actual application, multiples can only help. Getting a lot of experience in all types of practices is important to make sure you are headed in the rit direction even though your stats are pristine. Call offices and ask!
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Some schools require them! (read:SUNY) and all will accept them to my knowledge. It's kind of a pain to get so schools know what you have to do to get them.
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If I were you I'd be applying to MD, DO, DDS, PhD programs instead of OD programs, but that's just me.
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Part of the problem is not establishing a relationship with a professor before you graduated. I am applying for entry in 2012 and I graduated in 2010 but I asked for recommenders before I left school. I knew I wouldnt be asking for a whike but still got them to agree to be a reference for me. In your situation, maybe ask a ta you knew well to write you one, and the teacher can cosign. I would only use this option as a last resort, and only for one letter. Two would be a very bad idea. No matter what grad/med/opto program you want to pursue, you'll need recommendations from teachers. Did you maybe do research for one?
P.s. Are you applying for 2012 entry?
P.s. Are you applying for 2012 entry?
For the LoR, once you enter the optometrist's name into OptomCAS, they will be emailed a cover letter that has instructions for completing the letter. If they are not submitting electronically, optomCAS gives you the option of printing out the cover letter and delivering it to your recommender personally.
For shadowing and volunteering, they are both found under the "extracurricular" section of OptomCAS. For shadowing, it asks for how many hours you shadowed per week and how many weeks per year which is a little strange, but if it was a one time thing then you just put 8 hours for 1 week, or whatever it actually was.
Hope that helps!
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If I were you I'd be applying to MD, DO, DDS, PhD programs instead of OD programs, but that's just me.
👍👍👍 Totally agree. OD may not be enough for you 10,20,30 years down the road and you might end up like some of the frustrated ODs that wish they'd had done med school.
It's interesting to hear that, may I ask why? what do you mean by "may not be enough for me"?
I think it's important to realize that just because someone has the intelligence to be an M.D./ Ph.D etc. does not mean that they want to pursue those paths or they will be unhappy with their choice.
Sometimes ODs that have been in practice for a long time get tired of giving their patients to ophthalmologists for surgery. I was told that I would make the wrong decision no matter what I chose. It all comes down to choosing one and being O.K. with what you choose.
One thing to remember is that there are multiple ways for ODs to practice. Spend time in each and see what you enjoy the most!
I only know ODs practice by giving eye exams in private/school clinics, or corporate like walmart. What are other ways for ODs to practice? (maybe research and teaching?)
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What state do you plan on practicing optometry in? 90% of the profit earned for optometrists is from doing refractions. I don't think someone of your intelligence would enjoy saying "1 or 2" for the next 40 years. But it is all up to you. I say, if you can get in, then go as high as you can. From your scores/GPA I'd say you can definitely get into medical school or a PhD. program. There are a few optometrists doing research, maybe 1-2%. Also some teach at the optometry schools.
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Optometry in Alabama is way less restricted than in California. Also less competition. I'd stay in Alabama if I were you for optometry, you'd be a lot happier. If you want a city job then do a BME masters. That's pretty good too. Welcome to the hoards of other people that want to go to California/NYC lol
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We had the first optometry "residency" for vision therapy. We have a strong vision therapy orientation but I'm still not sure what vision therapy really is lol. I guess just physical therapy for eye muscles. I heard debates that it is not scientifically backed.
We have a great clinic, contact lenses/cornea, primary care, head trauma, ocular disease, vision therapy, you name it. We also conduct lots of research. Also ophthalmologists come in from time to time to do LASIK or to treat advanced retina problems, etc.
Optometry can be a totally different world from being a refracting optician in Massachusetts to being an ocular surgeon in Oklahoma. Its not about the degree, its where you want to live after getting the degree lol. New York/California fall into the areas of the country where Optometrists are highly limited but yet at the same time saturated. New York for example doesn't allow OD's to prescribe orals, only 3/50 states that disallow this, we can't do injections in or around the eye, probably the most advanced thing we can do is (correct me if I am wrong) tear duct plugs, epilation, and corneal foreign body removal. There are many many other things that we cannot do which are actually not that easy to look up on google.
We have a great clinic, contact lenses/cornea, primary care, head trauma, ocular disease, vision therapy, you name it. We also conduct lots of research. Also ophthalmologists come in from time to time to do LASIK or to treat advanced retina problems, etc.
Optometry can be a totally different world from being a refracting optician in Massachusetts to being an ocular surgeon in Oklahoma. Its not about the degree, its where you want to live after getting the degree lol. New York/California fall into the areas of the country where Optometrists are highly limited but yet at the same time saturated. New York for example doesn't allow OD's to prescribe orals, only 3/50 states that disallow this, we can't do injections in or around the eye, probably the most advanced thing we can do is (correct me if I am wrong) tear duct plugs, epilation, and corneal foreign body removal. There are many many other things that we cannot do which are actually not that easy to look up on google.
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I hope I can get into an Oklahoma ocular disease residency. I just went to SUNY because of financial reasons (keep my loans minimal). The thing is many people don't want to go to Oklahoma because "there is nothing to do there" or w/e and OMD's/OD's flock to NYC and Cali alike. Texas seems like a good state if you like the heat and enjoy not having annoying laws on everything. Also no state income tax is a big plus if you choose to work there.
Honestly, you cannot go to Oklahoma opt school because you have to be from the surrounding 9 states to apply. I'm sure their average GPA/OAT's would skyrocket if they let in people from all 50 states. Yes, you do learn more there than in any other opt school. SUNY and Berkeley are perceived as the best because we have the highest GPA's/OAT's and this is probably due to the fact that many people just apply to our schools. At SUNY our board pass rates are basically "if you get in here you'll become an OD lol" Its on SUNY's website and I highly encourage you to visit individual school websites and/or call each school up and ask them specific questions that you may have.
I have question for you Champloo. As a person with similar stats to yours, (I'm actually a BE major also, 3.8 gpa, 390 TS 370 AA), I sometimes question whether I'm living up to my potential. Do you ever feel that way?
Not to be offensive, but the standards for applicants for optometry school is lower than many other professions. I mean, optometry is great, but will it be a little mundane in the future? Will it be able to support what you want to do? I keep asking myself this. It seems the profession is becoming more commercial(aka business oriented). You gotta sell glasses to survive. Other professions, other than pharmacy I suppose, don't rely on stuff like this.
Just some thoughts.
Not to be offensive, but the standards for applicants for optometry school is lower than many other professions. I mean, optometry is great, but will it be a little mundane in the future? Will it be able to support what you want to do? I keep asking myself this. It seems the profession is becoming more commercial(aka business oriented). You gotta sell glasses to survive. Other professions, other than pharmacy I suppose, don't rely on stuff like this.
Just some thoughts.
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anyone wonder why this is? I understand giving PREFERENCE to those states, but to exclude everyone else? Im from DC and would never want to go to oklahoma, but just say I did?
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Honestly, if I had those stats and I went to a respectable university, I would not even consider optometry. I had a 3.2 GPA and I get bored sometimes in my school. I figure we are just learning the simple stuff first. Its what opticians do, handling the glasses, lensometry and other crappola. I feel it will get more exciting as time goes on.
You think this is becoming a women's profession? It seems quite slow paced so far. It doesn't faze me though as women in the nursing profession (where it is like 95% women) have reached high legislative victories with their Nurse Practitioners, Doctor of Nurse Practioner (DNP) and Nurse Anesthetist degrees. So I feel women will fight for optometry as strongly as men do.
I had similar stats when I applied to Optometry school. I took a lot of flack from professors and peers about why I was not going to medical school or going to get a Ph.D. This always frustrates me. I think what is important is that you ask yourself what you want out of life. I believe there are a lot more important things than achieving the highest power career that one can.
Yes, the standards are lower, but ask yourself if it really matters to you. It is a decision that each person has to make for themselves, and I really do not think that anyone else's opinion really matters. I had a friend in college that was smart enough to be an M.D., but chose to go to nursing school because it was what SHE wanted. She loves it because she is doing what she wants to do. If Optometry is what you want, then go for it! If not, find out what it is you want to do, and then do the same.
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That's actually pretty cool and very true. You only have one life. Live it the way you want to.
I'm a fifth year right so I'm reaching the end of the road. I already turned in my application about 3 weeks so I'm a bit farther in the process than you are. I'm also in the "I'm so far into this already. I don't want to turn back." The majority of my EC's are optometry related so my application would be a bit lacking if I decide to go to a different career path. I mean, honestly, the only other career I would consider is dentistry because it's such a lucrative and stable career.
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I can't help you make the decision about whether the OD degree is right for you, but if you're considering the MD route, you should definitely take a look -- being from Alabama has the huge advantage of having a top 25 med school in state for ~$24k/yr that gives significant preference to in-state apps. You should definitely take a look at UAB med if you're leaning that way.
Good luck with your decision!
I would like to truely and with all sincerity, recommend the original poster go to medical school.
The problems in optometry are well documented on this site. The problem many get frustrated with is the lack of upward mobility. As an OD, you will basically be doing the same thing for the rest of your life. Oh there are a few jobs teaching and a few in industry. But 99% are doing refractions and eye checks all day long (the only variable is the location).
As an MD (ophthalmologist or not), you have MANY more options. You could practice 'lower' if you want and do an optometry job (although you will be given flack from your colleagues if you work in Walmart). In medical school you may even decide that you are interested in a totally different field. Can't do this with Optometry. Once you get started, your stuck basically.
MDs can move up into industry, drug companies, education.........hell even t.v. on occasion.
In summary, the MD degree will give you many more options throughout your life. Good luck with your decision.
P.S. I know 2 people that go an OD degree after medical school.
The problems in optometry are well documented on this site. The problem many get frustrated with is the lack of upward mobility. As an OD, you will basically be doing the same thing for the rest of your life. Oh there are a few jobs teaching and a few in industry. But 99% are doing refractions and eye checks all day long (the only variable is the location).
As an MD (ophthalmologist or not), you have MANY more options. You could practice 'lower' if you want and do an optometry job (although you will be given flack from your colleagues if you work in Walmart). In medical school you may even decide that you are interested in a totally different field. Can't do this with Optometry. Once you get started, your stuck basically.
MDs can move up into industry, drug companies, education.........hell even t.v. on occasion.
In summary, the MD degree will give you many more options throughout your life. Good luck with your decision.
P.S. I know 2 people that go an OD degree after medical school.
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Was this a typo, or did they really go MD to OD, and why? That's odd.
I think your post conveys a fairly rose-tinted glasses view of medicine, but that said, I'm happy with my choice to go this route. I think the OP has to decide what they want -- it's honestly a similar choice in a few aspects but a very, very different one in others.
No. No typo. One was in my OD class and the other was a year behind me. I have no idea why they did it. One, a MD/Phd got his OD and stayed on to be an instructor at Southern College of Optometry.
It is an odd thing to me. I'm guessing it's people just hiding from the real world by become career students.
Fact is, MD is the highest degree by stature. You can go downward from there but you can never go upward from the OD degree (without going back to medical school).
