Optometry experience

[Nanoosa7]

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What kind of optometry experience did everyone get? Did you simply volunteer at an optometrists office or did you shadow an optometrist (observe and follow him/her around) or what? Did anyone actually work for an optometrist?

I want to start getting experience but don't know exactly what kind of experience to look for, or what kind of experience optometry schools want or like you to have.

Thanks!

 

[Ning]

Hi,

I really didn't have that much experience. I job shadowed ODs at two different settings (private and hospital) for several days. I also worked as a lab attendant at an retinal electrophysiology lab. That's about it! I would definitely help if you could volunteer or work at an optometrist's office. If not, shadow ODs in different settings and with various sub-specialities. I was always asked about that during my interview.

Ning-Ju

 

[dragon1761]

Hi,

I really didn't have that much experience. I job shadowed ODs at two different settings (private and hospital) for several days. I also worked as a lab attendant at an retinal electrophysiology lab. That's about it! I would definitely help if you could volunteer or work at an optometrist's office. If not, shadow ODs in different settings and with various sub-specialities. I was always asked about that during my interview.

Ning-Ju

i agree fully with what you stated. but i have a question, since you only shadowed for a few days with those ODs how did u get them to write you a letter of rec? Seriously the hardest and most stressful thing for me were obtianing the letters.

 

[Ning]

Hi,

Yeah....I knew it would be difficult, so I prepared some materials.
1. Why I thought I would make a good optometrist
2. My strenghts and weaknesses
3. Personal statement
4. Resume
5. Transcript

Of course it would be better if they knew me well and worked with me over a period of time, but I'm sure lots of people are in the same situation. After a couple of days, it'll get kinda boring unless you're actually doing something, rather than following the OD around.

Ning-Ju

 

[RLK]

I don't think they mind writing the letters too much. One OD wrote a letter for me that knew my dad and at the time he wrote the letter for me I personally hadn't even met him yet.

I don't really understand the signficance of the recommendation letters too much. Unless you've done something really outstanding, I would imagine a lot of the letters say about the same things.