"Old guy", 2nd career, Opt College suggestions

[NonTradOpt]

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Once upon a time, I was pre-Optometry (on Pacific's alternate list after my third year undergrad) and turned them down. I finished a B.S. in Psych and then earned a 90 credit hr. (professional) Master's Degree in a non-"science" field. My Graduate grades were excellent; they were better than my undergrad grades.

All this said, I'm 20 yrs out from my undergrad science stuff and I'm wondering what my chances would be at finding an Optometry college that would have an interest in an "old guy".

I'm definitely ready for the challenge and I'm confident I can do the work. Any ideas or advice out there?

Thanks!
Don

 

[4Eyes]

My first year class had a 36 year old and a 38 year old. The 36 year old had just finished her prereqs, but she had to drop for personal reasons. The 38 year old is still with us (he's 40 now). He had an MBA and had been doing some business stuff for a while. Last year's first year class had a 40 year old, but I don't really know his backstory. I don't know...maybe this gives you some kind of frame of reference. My school is pretty small, too. I imagine the bigger schools will have more people who aren't fresh out of undergrad.

From what I gather, schools aren't concerned with how old you are as long as you're dedicated to optometry. And it sounds like you're up to it. The only thing I can think of that you might have to prove is that you can remember all that undergrad science stuff. Maybe call the schools you're interested in and see what they recommend...taking a refresher course vs. reviewing some things on your own, etc. I know there are rules as far as how recent your OAT score is, but I have no idea if they have any sort of standard as far as how recent your prereqs are.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[cpw]

there was a woman in my class who started OD school at 42. It can be done!

 

[NonTradOpt]

I know I'll have to study hard and the colleges (still) recommend not having a full-time job. How's the loan situation? Can you borrow money to pay for insurance (family of 5!), food, rent, gas, etc? The kiddos like to eat for some reason!

Thanks!

 

[rkl_OD2be]

Once upon a time, I was pre-Optometry (on Pacific's alternate list after my third year undergrad) and turned them down. I finished a B.S. in Psych and then earned a 90 credit hr. (professional) Master's Degree in a non-"science" field. My Graduate grades were excellent; they were better than my undergrad grades.

All this said, I'm 20 yrs out from my undergrad science stuff and I'm wondering what my chances would be at finding an Optometry college that would have an interest in an "old guy".

I'm definitely ready for the challenge and I'm confident I can do the work. Any ideas or advice out there?

Thanks!
Don

I'll be "that 37 year old guy in our class (2010)" at UMSL in a few, short weeks...I had earned my undergraduate degree in Mathematics, and for the past 13 years, I've been an IT professional. The only pre-reqs that I had in my undergraduate days were the Physics I & II, so all my chemistry, biology, micro, organic, biochem, etc. are within the last 3 years or so. I applied (and was conditionally accepted) to both UMSL and SCO. SCO requires all science pre-reqs to be completed within the past 5 years, and they required me to re-take Physics 2 with lab. UMSL, required 2 psychology classes, and I only had one previously...

All in all, none of the schools I contacted or worked with (UMSL, SCO, and Oklahoma) *EVER* had an issue with my age, etc. It helped that my GPA and OAT scores were solid...

My best advice is to call the admissions office at the schools you're interested in applying to & ask for their assistance/suggestions. I know that the people at SCO and UMSL are great to work with...

Best wishes & "non-trad optometrists" Rock!!!

 

[NonTradOpt]

Thanks, rkl_OD2be! Good to hear some of us "old" guys can still rock on. The debt load I could be facing still intimidates me, though.

 

[r_salis]

Thanks, rkl_OD2be! Good to hear some of us "old" guys can still rock on. The debt load I could be facing still intimidates me, though.

I'm around your non-trad age, too, and in my 4th year. 😀 Four years of not working -- and paying tuition -- does rack up, but there are many of us who do it. Good luck!

 

[montana83]

I know I'll have to study hard and the colleges (still) recommend not having a full-time job. How's the loan situation? Can you borrow money to pay for insurance (family of 5!), food, rent, gas, etc? The kiddos like to eat for some reason!

Thanks!

ru from canada?? cuz waterloo's opt school tuition is only 9,000/year for domestic students...i dunno if u'd be able to hold down a full time job tho cuz classes run from 8:30-4:30mon-thurs and half day on fri

 

[NonTradOpt]

I'm from Iowa; does anyone know if any school has "reciprocity" tuition rates with Iowa?

 

[Schroder79]

We have some older class mates in our class at PUCO. One is a physical therapist and finds some way to work part time with his schooling and his family of 3 girls. I guess he decided to change careers because his current one didn't hold as much promise as he'd hoped. I could get you his email address if you wanted to talk to him. John is really a pleasent fellow.
Like you said there is a lot of studying but being that psychology deals so much with the brain there is 4 classes that you would probably skip if given the chance. Hope you are up with systemic diseases and can learn to use your hands well. Good luck! 🙂

FU- talking with John he says that he ran into a lot of unexpected challenges with not just money but dealing with spending little time with his family (girls and wife) and assuming father responsibilities. He looked serious when he said he didn't recommend it.... I'm sure it depends upon circumstances. Sometimes the schools may adapt the education schedule depending on your previous experience with related courses.... I guess it takes more points into consideration than I thought previously. again, good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[TarzanBoy]

I know I'll have to study hard and the colleges (still) recommend not having a full-time job. How's the loan situation? Can you borrow money to pay for insurance (family of 5!), food, rent, gas, etc? The kiddos like to eat for some reason!

Thanks!

Dear Non TradOpt

Being in your 40's, a hungry family of five, and willing to work while going to full-time optometry school that will probably cost you about $100,000 in debts..Wow...If you make it, I think you should be awarded a medal of honor of some sort. I am always impressed by people who overcome these type of hardships to better their lives. Not that you need it being that you are already a psych.

I think this will be a team effort. Be sure your wife is willing to go thru this hardship with you because she will suffer along with you in many ways as well...financial constraint, rasing the kids alone (esp. if they are young), emotional,ect. If you are sure you can handle school, work and family at the same time, then go for it. 👍