Shadowing an OD

[RLK]

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For those of you who have shadowed an OD, what duration did you do it for? I saw someone post on here a month or two ago that they had and OAT score of 280 and optometry experience, which I thought might have meant shadowing, and got accepted into the new england school.

Can shadowing help that much, where it could possibly offset lower OAT scores?

 

[anchan]

I think it was .......Pacific? or somebody that recommended about 60 hrs of observation? I can't remember off the top of my head. But other things you could do is volunteer at a local clinic or possibly get a job there (but some of the schools don't count the hrs that you have as an employee) just to get a feel for things. Also observing several doctors in a variety of settings helps too, because then you have a more diverse experience and also so you can get a broader idea of what a career in Optometry might be like. If you observed 1 practice that practice might not be representative of the type of working environment you will experience when you graduate or when you get to Optometry school you may not feel it's the right thing for you because it's not what you thought it was based on that 1 practice.

In the end, higher OAT scores wouldn't hurt either.

 

[PLPrincess]

For those of you who have shadowed an OD, what duration did you do it for? I saw someone post on here a month or two ago that they had and OAT score of 280 and optometry experience, which I thought might have meant shadowing, and got accepted into the new england school.

Can shadowing help that much, where it could possibly offset lower OAT scores?

It meant about 3 years of working for a private practice....20 hrs or so a week x 52 weeks x 3 years = 3,120 hours of "shadowing"...

 

[luvthemhogs]

I think it was .......Pacific? or somebody that recommended about 60 hrs of observation?

If schools recommend 60 hrs. then I probably need to shadow a little more. I've shadowed three doctors now and I don't really see what else there is to experience. I've shadowed enough to know that this is what I want to do for my career...is there something else I should try and find out when I shadow, I mean, isn't that why they want you to shadow, so you know what you're getting into?

 

[JennyJet]

I have been working for an optometrist for over a year now. If it's possible, I would shadow/work for an optometrist who graduated from the school you are applying to. The optometrists I work for are husband and wife, and they both graduated from UCBSO. The Dean knew who they were, and it helped a great deal with my acceptance.

 

[RLK]

Did you have a high OAT score too JennyJet? That's the main thing that's worrying me. I've taken the OAT twice and my score still isn't up where it needs to be if I'm going to be accepted. It's frustrating because my pre-req grades are all good. I'm taking the OAT for the 3rd time on June 18. I've been studying a lot, but I'm still worried about it.

Are you being paid to work for an optometrist, or is it volunteer work? I would do volunteer work, but being paid even minimum wage sure would be nice since I don't have any income now.

 

[dragon1761]

wow u people all have so much experience. i only volunteer like 2 hrs of my time per week just to get like free visual therapy while learning about the profession. Im thinkin about volunteering at my local hospital for free A/C during the summer and a chance to meet new people and to help people out and yes i am Ghetto Fabulous!!!!!

 

[vornskr1030]

Just wondering, what sorts of things did you guys do when you shadowed? I'm going for my first time on Thursday, and I'm not really sure what I will/should be doing. Like, if I have question while I'm observing his appointments, is it ok to ask right there, or should I save it for later? I'd appreciate any feedback or advice. Thanks!