Nontraditionals

[opticalillusion]

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Hello everyone,

Any other nontraditional students out there considering a career in Optometry? I am a high school biology/chemistry/anatomy&physio teacher looking to apply for 2009. I plan on taking the OAT this summer and having my application finished by the opening of the 2009 period. Just curious if anyone else out there is in a similar position and how I might be looked upon by the committees. Thanks

 

[MariaMaria]

I'm a nontraditional and I got in for 2008. I graduated with an education major and so it is possible. Just make sure to do really well in your pre-reqs and you'll do fine. They never even asked me in my interview about being an education major... I'm sure others may have been questioned but not me.

 

[Senorwes1]

I'm a non-traditional student and I'm going to apply for 2009 as well. I taught high school for one year too but I hated it. However, I'm also a Certified Optician and I've been working in the Optical field for 7 years and I love it. I've contemplated Optometry School for several years but just now doing something about it. I've got to finish 4 pre-req's: Org. Chem, Bio Chem, Physics, and Calculus. I'm planning to take the OAT in the summer. Good luck to you!

 

[romeslate]

I have a history degree and taught grade school for two years (it's interesting/disheartening how many "I used to be a teacher" folks I've run into these past few years.) I went back to school a year and a half ago, full time, and took all of my prereqs (have this semester left). I took the OAT about a month ago now. I was just accepted to SCCO for the fall of '08 and can't wait.

If your stats are competitive and you can demonstrate a real interest in optometry with shadowing/internships and a commitment to community with volunteering then you should really stand out to admissions commitees. As a non-traditional student, you at the least are unique from the start when compared to the majority of pre-optometry applicants (which in no way do I mean to diminish the accomplishments of pre-opt applicants; just commenting on the potential uniqueness of a former teacher applying to optometry school). You potentially add a certain level of professionalism to any optometry program with your past experience.

So if optometry is something you've researched and you can say it is something you want to put the time and effort into working towards, then go for it. In no way are you hindered by being a non-traditional student. If you complete all the required courses and so forth, you stand an excellent chance of being admitted. Good luck!

 

[opticalillusion]

Thanks for the great info everyone....................The only prerequisite I have left is calculus, which I guess I will try to take this summer, as well as do some shadowing. Its refreshing to know that being a nontraditional can be looked at as a positive if you are competitive. Congrats to those already in and good luck to the rest of us applying.

 

[r_salis]

Hello everyone,

Any other nontraditional students out there considering a career in Optometry? I am a high school biology/chemistry/anatomy&physio teacher looking to apply for 2009. I plan on taking the OAT this summer and having my application finished by the opening of the 2009 period. Just curious if anyone else out there is in a similar position and how I might be looked upon by the committees. Thanks

I was a non-trad with a liberal arts degree, and I was accepted to both schools I applied to and even graduated from one of them. 😉

 

[DaveSch]

I am in my mid-30's. I guess that could be considered non-traditional 😉. I had been doing computer software, web design, hardware sales for a long time, but in the back of my mind I always wanted to go back to school.

I'm currently in my 3rd year of my Bachelor of Science degree. I'm hoping that the fact that I went back to school and did well even though I'm much older than my peers, and even though I have a family that I still have to support, will be looked upon as a positive when applying to schools.

 

[opticalillusion]

I was a non-trad with a liberal arts degree, and I was accepted to both schools I applied to and even graduated from one of them. 😉

congrats to you salis! its refreshing to hear success..........and good luck to you dave