ophthalmologist

[OctoDocto]

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Hello all. So I'm shadowing an ophthalmologist and optometrist right now. I plan to get a letter of rec from at least one of them. My question is, since my opthalmologist is much more prestigious/experienced/well-known than my optometrist, would optometry schools prefer a letter from the ophthalmologist? I will try to get a letter from both, but my question remains. Thanks.

 

[JennieJoy]

I honestly don't think it matters. As long as it's a practicing ophthalmologist or optometrist.

 

[socal2014]

....the ops suggesting that ophthalmologists are more prestigious, well-respected and more known than OD's.

 

[OctoDocto]

I wasn't speaking about the professions as a whole, just these two doctors individually.

 

[angeleyes88]

while an opthalmologist may seem more prestigious to you, i would go for a letter from an optometrist. the whole point of a letter from either is to show that you know the profession of optometry well (know what you're getting into)...so a letter from an optometrist would be better. also, many schools require a letter from an optometrist anyways. thats just my two cents. you can mention the opthalmologist in your essays.

 

[Rinny]

Definitely ask the optometrist. If you can get letters from both though that is good too. I know this because I worked for an ophthalmologist for a year and so initially I thought I would just have a letter from him and hoped it would count as my optometrist letter (he is a general ophthalmologist so the work I did in his office was almost identical to what I would have done in an optometry office as a technician). However, just about every school requested an optometrist letter after I submitted my application, so you will definitely need to ask both or at least ask the optometrist. Just keep in mind that OptomCAS only allows you to upload 4 LORs so if you decide to ask both then you will only have 2 spots left (which for most schools need to be science profs). Good luck!

 

[Commando303]

You're applying for an O.D., not for an M.D. or a D.O. Optometry schools want you to have shadowing-experience to have developed an understanding of the profession you're applying to become a member of; just because an ophthalmologist deals with the eye doesn't mean his work, his practice provides insight into that of an O.D.

I think it's unlikely any college of optometry would accept a letter of recommendation from an ophthalmologist in place of one from an optometrist (in addition to, on the other hand, might be fine, albeit maybe not necessary).

 

[nc2tarheels]

I agree, I would go with the OD. Unless the admissions committee knows the person that wrote your LOR, then I'm sure "prestige" really doesn't matter.

 

[KHE]

Hello all. So I'm shadowing an ophthalmologist and optometrist right now. I plan to get a letter of rec from at least one of them. My question is, since my opthalmologist is much more prestigious/experienced/well-known than my optometrist, would optometry schools prefer a letter from the ophthalmologist? I will try to get a letter from both, but my question remains. Thanks.

If you don't mind me asking, who is this ophthalmologist? If you would rather not post it publicly, please PM me.