Optometry or Medical School?

[lesept2]

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I am currently completing pre-requisities which can both fulfill requirements for optometry and medical school. Going into my 4th year undergrad, I still don't know which school to attend. I know that Optometry school will be easier to get into, less stressful in terms of lifestyle, low-key, good pay, good hours, no blood, and family time. On the other hand, there is med school which is long, expensive, stressful, but you have very good pay and respect, no life, stressful, more responsiblity, and you have more responsibility. It is competitive and hard to get into. From my pre-optometry counselor, she told me that after taking a poll of 10 random optometrists and 10 random physicians, the study showed that 10 out 10 optometrists were satisfied while only 1 out of 10 physicians were satisfied and would do the whole curriculum again. So I need help guys. Thanks!

 

[dontlikephysics]

Optometry.... duhh!!

In all seriousness though, what do you want to do? Be an optometrist or be a MD? Who cares what others think, it's your decision. If you think you would be happier being an OD than an MD then go for an OD, or vice-versa with MD. Get some shadowing experience and try to get some 'hands on' patient care experience, that should help you figure it out. GL!!

 

[owlcityeyes11]

I was considering medical school vs optometry school as well (I'm about to enter my sophomore year of undergraduate), and I am pretty sure that I want to do optometry for the reasons you listed. I don't think the extra stress, money, lack of a life, and prestige that come with being a doctor make it worth it. I plan to shadow an optometrist to make sure that's what I want to do.

 

[JMU07]

Oh. There is blood in optometry. 😀 Maybe not a lot but there is some seriously gross stuff!

Definitely get some shadowing done and then re-think your decision. They're completely different professions so whichever you choose, you need to make sure it's what you want to do. Good luck!

 

[Re3iRtH]

Don't use the "no life" as a con for medicine. I'm 3 years into med school and my life is as good as its ever been. Plenty of doctors (not residents generally) work 40 hours per week and get a lot of time to enjoy their lives. Secondly, the responsibility is not a great con either. People that choose to be docs generally welcome it, if u don't want it, there you go: optometry is your choice. And thirdly if you love what you do you shouldnt be stressed ALL THE TIME, so that one's out too.
You are asking in the opometry forum what they recommend, so don't be surprised at the answer. I saw this thread on the main forums page and I thought id give you some perspective from the other side. anyhow good luck!👍

 

[kiwi5frog]

haha. I just had to laugh a little. I find myself weighing 2 careers, but its optometry vs costume design.

anyway, i find that a lot of these threads kind of already know their answer and are just really looking for more reasons to confirm the answer they already know. Sounds like you are leaning to opto, but as always, shadow shadow shadow shadow and ask the person what their thoughts are.

 

[DrSpontaneouz83]

There are plenty of optometrists that are "unhappy" with their chosen profession, as many have not entered the career whole-heartedly. So if your passion is not in it..maybe neither career may be the one for you ...really think about the investment of time, money, and STRESS that comes in either career..optometry is not going to be stress-free.

 

[ICOOD]

Go into MD school and become an ophthalmologist. You will have more controll and a fuller scope of practice than anu OD anywhere would have