Optometry student thinking of going to medical school. Need advice!

[tlili]

Hi everyone!

So I will be graduating from college this coming may and I got into one of the most competitive optometry schools in the country. I will be starting optometry school in August. However I am starting to think that I should have applied to Medical School instead.
I am starting to realize that the optometry profession is very restricted (cannot prescribe drugs in most states, cannot treat advanced eye diseases, etc.) and that you are not the highest authority in the eye care field (ophthalmologists are). I am also afraid that after a few years practicing, the day to day life will become extremely repetitive and will not challenge me as much as I wish.

About me: I come from France (but I am a US citizen), I traveled a lot around Europe, Africa and Asia (life experience). My undergrad GPA is 3.7 and I have not taken the MCAT yet.
My plan was to study for the MCAT this summer and apply for the 2012-2013 cycle. I would still start optometry school in August so that if I do not get into medical school, I could still pursue optometry.

The thing is that I have research experience but no clinical/volunteer experience. The only experience I have would be shadowing optometrists and since I plan to attend optometry school in the fall, I won't have time to get significant experience.
I would like your advise on weither or not I would be competitive enough to get into medical school with no/little clinical experience (assuming I get a high score on the MCAT) and do you think it is possible to get a fair amount of experience while in optometry school? what do you think I should do?...

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[235788]

Well perhaps start volunteering/shadowing and studying for the mcat.


Med schools won't be too crazy about stealing a student who started another program, so I'd recommend you hold off from matriculation.

 

[bucks2010]

No one is going to be competitive for medical school without at least some amount of clinical experience. Otherwise how would you know you want to be a physician? At a minimum you should have 50 hrs of physician shadowing when you apply, and preferably some volunteering/working in a clinical setting.

Also, if you want to go to medical school, I would not matriculate to optometry school this fall. Medical schools are generally reluctant to take students who are in the midst of other professional degree programs. They want to see you complete your current degree program first before moving on to get an MD/DO. I would try to defer matriculating to opto school so you can make up your mind.

 

[Catalystik]

So I will be graduating from college this coming may and I got into one of the most competitive optometry schools in the country. I will be starting optometry school in August. However I am starting to think that I should have applied to Medical School instead.
I am starting to realize that the optometry profession is very restricted (cannot prescribe drugs in most states, cannot treat advanced eye diseases, etc.) and that you are not the highest authority in the eye care field (ophthalmologists are). I am also afraid that after a few years practicing, the day to day life will become extremely repetitive and will not challenge me as much as I wish.

About me: I come from France (but I am a US citizen), I traveled a lot around Europe, Africa and Asia (life experience). My undergrad GPA is 3.7 and I have not taken the MCAT yet.
My plan was to study for the MCAT this summer and apply for the 2012-2013 cycle. I would still start optometry school in August so that if I do not get into medical school, I could still pursue optometry.

The thing is that I have research experience but no clinical/volunteer experience. The only experience I have would be shadowing optometrists and since I plan to attend optometry school in the fall, I won't have time to get significant experience.
I would like your advise on weither or not I would be competitive enough to get into medical school with no/little clinical experience (assuming I get a high score on the MCAT) and do you think it is possible to get a fair amount of experience while in optometry school? what do you think I should do?...

Adcomms are not going to be attracted to a candidate who has little to no background experiences upon which to base a plan for medicine as a career, due to a rash decision to apply to med school.

Besides clinical experience (about 1.5 years is the average listed, BTW) and shadowing, an application is strengthened by leadership, teaching, and nonmedical community service. Having research already is great, but I'd suggest you take the next year to test medicine as a career with many of these activities, to be sure it's right for you. Also, check to be sure you have all the math, behavioral sciences, upper level-Bio and Biochem that schools you would target require or recommend. And strategize to collect the appropriate Letters of Recommendation.

 

[Dr. Ducky]

Adcomms are not going to be attracted to a candidate who has little to no background experiences upon which to base a plan for medicine as a career, due to a rash decision to apply to med school.

Besides clinical experience (about 1.5 years is the average listed, BTW) and shadowing, an application is strengthened by leadership, teaching, and nonmedical community service. Having research already is great, but I'd suggest you take the next year to test medicine as a career with many of these activities, to be sure it's right for you. Also, check to be sure you have all the math, behavioral sciences, upper level-Bio and Biochem that schools you would target require or recommend. And strategize to collect the appropriate Letters of Recommendation.

^this.

 

[Hemorrage]

you have a strong GPA. i would say that you should spend about 1 year volunteering, shadowing, etc. and take the MCAT then apply

 

[grayscaleart]

and you're absolutely sure that you will become an ophthalmologist with this switch. if you really like eyeballs, stay in optometry

 

[tlili]

Besides clinical experience (about 1.5 years is the average listed, BTW) and shadowing, an application is strengthened by leadership, teaching, and nonmedical community service. Having research already is great, but I'd suggest you take the next year to test medicine as a career with many of these activities, to be sure it's right for you. Also, check to be sure you have all the math, behavioral sciences, upper level-Bio and Biochem that schools you would target require or recommend. And strategize to collect the appropriate Letters of Recommendation.

I only mentioned clinical/volunteer experience related to the medical field because I do not have it but leadership, teaching, and nonmedical community service are not a problem. I am also published. I was a pre-med major so I also meet all the requirements for medical school. Letters of recommendation from science professors should not be a problem as well as I will graduate with a 4.0 science GPA and was a very involved student.

Thank you all for your answers. I did not know that being matriculated to another program was a problem. I see that medical experience is very important. I think I might defer my acceptance to optometry school to next year so that I have time to make up my mind + get experience.

 

[Catalystik]

I only mentioned clinical/volunteer experience related to the medical field because I do not have it but leadership, teaching, and nonmedical community service are not a problem. I am also published. I was a pre-med major so I also meet all the requirements for medical school. Letters of recommendation from science professors should not be a problem as well as I will graduate with a 4.0 science GPA and was a very involved student.

Terrific! Then you are well ahead of "the game" in becoming competitive for med schools. Do you have any experience in an optometrist's office? Some of this might transfer.

In my area optometrists do prescribe meds and manage more complicated eye conditions. They are viewed in relation to ophthalmologists like physicians assistants would be compared to a physician. I can well understand your concern if your state doesn't allow this scope of practice.

 

[Getonit]

Hi everyone!

So I will be graduating from college this coming may and I got into one of the most competitive optometry schools in the country. I will be starting optometry school in August. However I am starting to think that I should have applied to Medical School instead.
I am starting to realize that the optometry profession is very restricted (cannot prescribe drugs in most states, cannot treat advanced eye diseases, etc.) and that you are not the highest authority in the eye care field (ophthalmologists are). I am also afraid that after a few years practicing, the day to day life will become extremely repetitive and will not challenge me as much as I wish.

About me: I come from France (but I am a US citizen), I traveled a lot around Europe, Africa and Asia (life experience). My undergrad GPA is 3.7 and I have not taken the MCAT yet.
My plan was to study for the MCAT this summer and apply for the 2012-2013 cycle. I would still start optometry school in August so that if I do not get into medical school, I could still pursue optometry.

The thing is that I have research experience but no clinical/volunteer experience. The only experience I have would be shadowing optometrists and since I plan to attend optometry school in the fall, I won't have time to get significant experience.
I would like your advise on weither or not I would be competitive enough to get into medical school with no/little clinical experience (assuming I get a high score on the MCAT) and do you think it is possible to get a fair amount of experience while in optometry school? what do you think I should do?...

Hey, Wow, I have been thinking of the same thing for the last couple of months. I already enrolled into an optometry school starting in the fall, but now I am having doubts. Reading all these negative aspects of opto is getting me really down. I was a pre-med and did all the research/internships/ etc etc. I don't have such a great GPA as yours but I did take the MCAT and did ok (34S). I know I probably wont get in the USA schools but I think I should be fine for the accredited Caribbean med schools. I cant imagine drowning in loan if I go for MD after finishing OD. Any suggestion?

 

[Cinclus]

Hey, Wow, I have been thinking of the same thing for the last couple of months. I already enrolled into an optometry school starting in the fall, but now I am having doubts. Reading all these negative aspects of opto is getting me really down. I was a pre-med and did all the research/internships/ etc etc. I don't have such a great GPA as yours but I did take the MCAT and did ok (34S). I know I probably wont get in the USA schools but I think I should be fine for the accredited Caribbean med schools. I cant imagine drowning in loan if I go for MD after finishing OD. Any suggestion?

What is your GPA, exactly? Because your MCAT score is great. As long as it's a 3-point-something, I'm sure you would be competitive for some DO schools, and depending on the "something," even some MD schools. DO schools are such a better option than the Caribbean MD schools. There's no competition between the two in terms of desirability. Only consider Carib if you cannot get into any US med school, whether MD or DO.

 

[Getonit]

What is your GPA, exactly? Because your MCAT score is great. As long as it's a 3-point-something, I'm sure you would be competitive for some DO schools, and depending on the "something," even some MD schools. DO schools are such a better option than the Caribbean MD schools. There's no competition between the two in terms of desirability. Only consider Carib if you cannot get into any US med school, whether MD or DO.

My total gpa is 3.08 (was too busy partying first two years 😳) but I did go to an ivy league university. I don't know if that makes any difference. I would rather go for MD than DO. Are caribbean med schools worse than going to DO school? Also, would you suggest I give up on optometry? I went into optometry because I really liked working with eyes, am not into surgery, and liked the comparitively less hectic life. The reason why I am contemplating on med school is because I want to be respected in the field that I get into, and not feel as if i am dispensable, as i inferred from the forums here. That is one of my most important concern. Is my concern justifiable or am I just getting cold feet?

 

[Catalystik]

Are caribbean med schools worse than going to DO school?

If you want to practice medicine in the US, attending a Caribbean school is far more risky as attrition rates are high and your chances of matching into a US residency spot are MUCH lower.

Check out SDN's Internatonal Medicine Forum > Caribbean and do some reading.

 

[tlili]

Hi guys!
So I decided to ask for a 1 year deferral. I want to take advantage of this coming year to work in a hospital and volunteer in a clinic to explore the field of medicine. If this is really what I want to do I will apply next year (2013-2014 cycle).
The problem is that I do not think that "exploring another field" is a valid reason to be granted referral. A valid reason would be taking a year off to take care of a sick relative. However, this is not my case and I feel bad saying something like that when it is not true.
A friend of mine told me to say that I need to work for a year in order to earn money to pay the tuition. I am afraid they would not accept this.
What do you think I should say? and whatever the reason, do I need a proof?

 

[Keepitclassy]

Hi guys!
So I decided to ask for a 1 year deferral. I want to take advantage of this coming year to work in a hospital and volunteer in a clinic to explore the field of medicine. If this is really what I want to do I will apply next year (2013-2014 cycle).
The problem is that I do not think that "exploring another field" is a valid reason to be granted referral. A valid reason would be taking a year off to take care of a sick relative. However, this is not my case and I feel bad saying something like that when it is not true.
A friend of mine told me to say that I need to work for a year in order to earn money to pay the tuition. I am afraid they would not accept this.
What do you think I should say? and whatever the reason, do I need a proof?

I'd advise against this.

Adequate deferral reasons are exactly what you think they are, and don't think playing the system will grant you an upper hand, you'll most likely end up embarrassed.

If you like eyes stick with optometry, ophthalmology is an extremely tough and competitive field to muscle your way into. If you don't want to be an optometrist then decline your acceptance and devote your time and efforts 100% to medical school, being torn apart between the two might end up biting you in the ass later down the road.

 

[yossarian444]

Hi guys!
So I decided to ask for a 1 year deferral. I want to take advantage of this coming year to work in a hospital and volunteer in a clinic to explore the field of medicine. If this is really what I want to do I will apply next year (2013-2014 cycle).
The problem is that I do not think that "exploring another field" is a valid reason to be granted referral. A valid reason would be taking a year off to take care of a sick relative. However, this is not my case and I feel bad saying something like that when it is not true.
A friend of mine told me to say that I need to work for a year in order to earn money to pay the tuition. I am afraid they would not accept this.
What do you think I should say? and whatever the reason, do I need a proof?

How about just telling them the truth? That you're torn between two different types of patient care (MD vs opto) and while you may very well end up stickin with opto, you would appreciate another year to explore different aspects of medicine. Tell 'em it'd be unfair to take an opto seat now if there is a a chance you could ultimately decide to drop out and go to med school. Make sure you stress that you really are still interested in opto and really don't want to lose the wonderful oportunity to go to their school. You just want to be 100% sure you're making the right decision.

They might ask you why you didn't consider this before applying to opto - make sure you are prepared to answer that. Was there some sort of recent event or self-realization or a specific MD you talked to that made you consider MD when preveiously you hadn't considered it? If so, that'd be an appropriate thing to bring up when answering that question. Saying "opto would probably get boring after a few years" or "MD's are the highest authority" is probably not the best answer. Think deeper.

Who knows, maybe honesty will work. You're kind of stuck though - you can't lie to them about any personal problem or imaginary financial reasons - that is wrong and could catch up to you. Telling them the truth seems like a better (and perhaps only) option than outright declining their acceptance - what's the worst that could happen? I don't think they can pull your acceptance for just asking? Be professional, be sincere, be personable. Might work.

One thing to caution:
Nearly everybody goes into med school thinking they're going to be in the top quartile of their class - obviously that's impossible. Make sure that you can honestly be happy doing a variety of specialties/primary care in medicine. If you want ophtho and only optho and would be miserable in IM, then med school may be too risky. During this next year, make sure you shadow a variety of specialtiies/primary care beyond optho.

 

[tlili]

One thing to caution:
Nearly everybody goes into med school thinking they're going to be in the top quartile of their class - obviously that's impossible. Make sure that you can honestly be happy doing a variety of specialties/primary care in medicine. If you want ophtho and only optho and would be miserable in IM, then med school may be too risky. During this next year, make sure you shadow a variety of specialtiies/primary care beyond optho.

This is why I want to take the year off to shadow and work in a clinical setting. I have already shadowed ophthalmologists and I now I love it but I also want to make sure that I have other interests in medicine besides ophthalmology.

Thank you for your answer I will tell them the truth and see how it goes.