New to pre-optometry

[Skogar]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi! I am considering applying for optometry school for the next round of admissions and I had a few questions...

What is the timeline for applying? When is the new round of optomcas open and when is the earliest you can submit? When do most people submit?

Is there a list of average science GPA's for acceptance for 2009? Is there a ranking of schools or somewhere I can find school reputations etc.? Is there a website like predents.com?

I've graduated college but I haven't taken calculus at all. Do I need a year? A semester? Can I apply this summer and go through the entire process and be accepted as long as I take a calculus course that winter or the next summer?

Typically how many schools do people apply to and how do they choose besides location?

How many hours of shadowing should I do?

I know it's a lot of questions but I'd really like to be prepared and start thinking about this next cycle! Thanks for taking your time in reading this.

 

[ibalz]

Hi

You should first go to www.opted.org It has all the school's websites and stats that you're looking for. This admissions cycle started July 15 through OptomCas. There are currently 19 U.S. schools & 1 Canadian school.

Unfortunately there are no school rankings as of yet, and that is a hot topic on these boards.

Most schools require at least 1 semester of calc or analytical geometry, but I believe USB and NECO require a year.

Your best bet is the opted site, which will link you to all the schools, the stats, and the OAT info you need.

Good luck👍

 

[lnh]

The search function is disabled at the moment, but the search bar in the upper right hand corner can still be helpful. You can find answers to many of your questions on previous threads if you dig around. 🙂

If you are looking for something like predents.com, these sites will help:

http://www.optstudent.com/
I personally used this site during my pre-optometry years as a reference. The webmaster, Chris, is very helpful.

http://optometrystudents.com/
This is a new site that some of our fellow forum members have worked hard to put together, and there are a lot of contributors.

OptomCAS Questions: http://www.optomcas.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=4
Applications open July 15 and official close May 15, but most schools have their own deadlines prior to that.

Everyone has their own reasons when choosing schools. For me, I feel that each school has its own personality. ie. Laid back, easy going, and casual, or more ambitious, professional, organized. Emphasis on clinical, research, or academics. Small/large class sizes. Types of residencies, etc. I use the word "or" but all schools are a combination of, or fall on a spectrum of these things, so it's hard to say. These are impressions I get when I visit schools personally, and interact with the faculty, students, and staff. Naturally I prefer schools that match my own personality.

I hope this answers a few of your questions. Welcome to the optometry forums, and good luck!

 

[d3star]

wow i didn't know you can graduate without taking any calculus!

i recently went a ICO presentation..the admissions director said its not good to go from a 4 year to a CC but then again its not like all your pre-reqs will be taken at CC right?

Talk to schools to see what they prefer! They have different requirements like shadowing etc
Good luck!