Shadowing/Clinical Work Optometry

[ohopenyoureyes]

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I'm currently a rising junior. I have like a 3.7 regular GPA and a 3.8 science GPA. Until this past spring, I was premed. I shadowed a neurosurgeon and an ophthalmologist for about 100 hours and did some volunteer work. I've been considering optometry for some time this past year. I was wondering if there was any point to include my clinical work that is not optometry related on future optometry apps. Is it pretty much useless to have done if I am no longer premed? (optometry application wise)

I am planning to do research/shadow optometrists/ do an internship at my hospital in the ER.
Do you think these 3 will help? Should I shadow more instead of the research/hospital work?

I am not so familiar with what to do clinically for optometry and was just wondering if anyone had any opinions.

Outside of school, I am involved in 3 organizations. I served on 1 e-board freshmen year but none sophomore year. I am part of 2 mentor programs and was a tutor. (I hope to tutor again this fall.)
I'm a bit worried of a lack of leadership. Do these mentor/tutor positions count as leadership for optometry school or is it more favorable to be on e-boards?

Sorry if this is a lot. Thanks again for any input!

 

[undecisiveone1]

Hi, may I ask the reason for your transition from premed to optometry? Your grades are certainly competitive enough for med school

 

[ohopenyoureyes]

I'm not so sure if I really like the lifestyles of some MDs/DOs and the long-term commitment of medical school and residency. It personally seems too much at times. I like how optometry is 4 years and you still get to treat people everyday.

 

[Capsnduck]

I think that you should definitely include the other experience for two reasons. First, it shows that you have explored other options but are interested in optometry/eye care. Second, any medical experience comes in handy, especially with early classes, and I think that optometry schools would look at it as a positive showing that you are coming in knowing a little bit more.

 

[ac12345]

For optometry shadowing environments you have a few options. You can chose to shadow at a hospital setting, a commercial setting (ex. Costco or LensCrafters), solo private practice, OD group practice, or MD/OD co-management practice. Personally, I really liked the OD group practice setting. It all comes down to where they let you shadow or even work part time. Then, you can get some additional patient experience and possibly even familiar with some procedures and technology used now a days.

 

[ohopenyoureyes]

I think that you should definitely include the other experience for two reasons. First, it shows that you have explored other options but are interested in optometry/eye care. Second, any medical experience comes in handy, especially with early classes, and I think that optometry schools would look at it as a positive showing that you are coming in knowing a little bit more.

Thanks so much! I'm glad that if I make the switch, they won't look detrimental. Do you know if there is a section on the optometry school app for this by any chance?

 

[ohopenyoureyes]

For optometry shadowing environments you have a few options. You can chose to shadow at a hospital setting, a commercial setting (ex. Costco or LensCrafters), solo private practice, OD group practice, or MD/OD co-management practice. Personally, I really liked the OD group practice setting. It all comes down to where they let you shadow or even work part time. Then, you can get some additional patient experience and possibly even familiar with some procedures and technology used now a days.

Thank you very much! I will try to get some shadowing done in these categories. Out of curiosity, do you usually just call optometrists up and ask?

 

[ac12345]

Thank you very much! I will try to get some shadowing done in these categories. Out of curiosity, do you usually just call optometrists up and ask?

I shadowed a private practice with one doctor because someone got me in touch with the optometrist there. I Interned at an OD/MD office because that's where I went for my eye exams and one of the OD's and I got along well. Finally, I worked at a group practice by simply going in and asking if I could shadow or intern and eventually that turned into a tech job. I did have to call a few times or go in personally because some places want to see you're motivated.

 

[w.puggy]

Thank you very much! I will try to get some shadowing done in these categories. Out of curiosity, do you usually just call optometrists up and ask?

I googled some optometrists that are around my area. I sent them an email stating why I'm interested in the field and asked if I could shadow them for __ hours. You can also call but most of the time, a receptionist usually picks up. So sometimes the message doesn't get to the optometrist. You can also ask that ophthalmologist you shadowed if he/she knows any optometrists you can shadow.