Shadowing?

[Commando303]

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I'm trying to figure out all the things I must do to be an appealing candidate to optometry schools. I've worked on completing the pre-requisites, and am studying for the OAT. On-line, though, I've now read I must also consider what's called "shadowing." Could someone please explain exactly what this is and how it works? Thanks much.

*Is there anything else I should do to make myself a more appealing applicant?

 

[sportsdude00]

I'm trying to figure out all the things I must do to be an appealing candidate to optometry schools. I've worked on completing the pre-requisites, and am studying for the OAT. On-line, though, I've now read I must also consider what's called "shadowing." Could someone please explain exactly what this is and how it works? Thanks much.

*Is there anything else I should do to make myself a more appealing applicant?

schools want you to shadow a doctor (basically follow them around, observe) to make sure you understand what you're getting yourself into and that you have a general interest and some knowledge of the field.
there are many ways to find a doctor to shadow, but i think the best thing to do first is to see if any friends/family are optometrists and start with that. if not, then there are a number of things you can do, including just walking into an office and asking if you can shadow (what i did), or asking advisors for recommendations. there are many optometrists that allow students to shadow them, so it shouldn't be hard to find someone if you try
remember that there are multiple types of settings for optometrists (private practice, commercial, etc), so you might want to shadow a few different O.D.s to get an idea of the options available in the career.
experience from shadowing is definitely a plus for an application, and many people who apply have worked in an optometrist office or something of the nature. it really helps because you have something to put in your essay to show your interest and knowledge in the field.
otherwise, the application is very strongly dependent on your GPA and OAT scores. while this is not always the case, i have found that strong scores will get you at least to the interview portion, and then from there you will need to prove your interest once again. activities are always helpful to build an application, but i suggest that you study hard and do well in your courses in order to have a strong application.

 

[Commando303]

Thank you very much for your helpful reply. Is there any standard of how long shadowing lasts? That is, how many optometrists does an applicant typically shadow, and for how long is each shadowed? Thanks again.

 

[JMU07]

Everyone's shadowing experience is different. Some people shadow multiple OD's for a while, while others (like me) gain all of their experience at one office. I do think it's good, though, to shadow doctors in different environments (commercial, private, etc). None of the schools I looked at had requirements as far as hours and number of docs, and AS FAR AS I KNOW none of the others do either (if someone knows otherwise speak up!).

 

[QueenieCSS]

None of the schools I looked at had requirements as far as hours and number of docs, and AS FAR AS I KNOW none of the others do either (if someone knows otherwise speak up!).

Of the schools I applied to I know OSU has a minimum of 10 hours and Pacific requires 30 hours, Berkeley, NECO, and IU didn't have minimums. I can't remember if they require more than one place or not but I HIGHLY suggest it. It gives you a completely different perspective and also helps when you are interviewing because you have more to talk about and you have formed more of an opinion as to which type of practice you would like to have when you graduate.

 

[Commando303]

Of the schools I applied to I know OSU has a minimum of 10 hours and Pacific requires 30 hours, Berkeley, NECO, and IU didn't have minimums. I can't remember if they require more than one place or not but I HIGHLY suggest it. It gives you a completely different perspective and also helps when you are interviewing because you have more to talk about and you have formed more of an opinion as to which type of practice you would like to have when you graduate.

Thanks. So, it looks as if I should be shadowing a few different types of practices, for a day or so each.

 

[blysssful]

Thanks. So, it looks as if I should be shadowing a few different types of practices, for a day or so each.

In my opinion, shadowing is the most important part of what you do as a pre-optometry student. Not only for your applications, but for yourself. I shadowed for an entire summer. Yes, I gave up a paying job that summer and others may cite this as a waste of time, but there were several advantages:
1) I got an AMAZING letter of recommendation from the ODs,
2) I got a job offer for when I complete my degree,
3) I built a close relationship with two ODs who are more than willing to give me guidance if needed,
4) when I was asked hypothetical questions about how I would practice during my interviews, I was able to bring it back to my shadowing experience and fully answer the questions using my OWN experience, not just what I assumed it would be like
5) I KNOW this is what I want to do, without a doubt.

Don't skimp on the shadowing just because there isn't a specific minimum. They DO weed people out who don't seem to know what they're getting themselves into. Even if you don't think that shadowing is crucial, spend a little bit of time doing it, then think about getting a job at an office or something else that would give you first hand experience. After all, would you really want to spend 4 years and a LOT of money to find out that it's not what you want to do when it's WAY down the line? Find out now.

 

[jymezg]

In my opinion, shadowing is the most important part of what you do as a pre-optometry student. Not only for your applications, but for yourself. I shadowed for an entire summer. Yes, I gave up a paying job that summer and others may cite this as a waste of time, but there were several advantages:
1) I got an AMAZING letter of recommendation from the ODs,
2) I got a job offer for when I complete my degree,
3) I built a close relationship with two ODs who are more than willing to give me guidance if needed,
4) when I was asked hypothetical questions about how I would practice during my interviews, I was able to bring it back to my shadowing experience and fully answer the questions using my OWN experience, not just what I assumed it would be like
5) I KNOW this is what I want to do, without a doubt.

Don't skimp on the shadowing just because there isn't a specific minimum. They DO weed people out who don't seem to know what they're getting themselves into. Even if you don't think that shadowing is crucial, spend a little bit of time doing it, then think about getting a job at an office or something else that would give you first hand experience. After all, would you really want to spend 4 years and a LOT of money to find out that it's not what you want to do when it's WAY down the line? Find out now.

I didn't make it the full summer, I ran out of money haha. But I still kept going part time when I was working. I too got an awesome letter of rec, not only a job offer when I complete my degree, but a job offer to work during the first two summers of OD school.

In short, I'll second that. Shadowing is the most important aspect of your app. Grades are fine, they'll get you the interview, but no interviewer wants to hear the story about the flask you broke in orgo lab. So disregard any minimum notions you may have about shadowing.

 

[Commando303]

Thank you, Blysssful and Jymezg. It is seeming to me, increasingly, that shadowing is important. I want to be an optometrist, but, the truth is, I know what the profession entails only through imagination, my appreciation of under-grad. pre-req. courses, and visits to eye doctors as a patient. I have no basis upon which to claim I know what a "day in the life of" an O.D. is, and I feel I really should if I want most of my days, in my future, to be like that.

Thanks again.

 

[Oogilily]

I agree. I wish I would have shadowed more before I got accepted. I don't regret my career choice, but it would have been nice to see more how the office ran and the day to day stuff that optometrists do. It also would have been nice to build a relationship with a doc so that I have contacts for when I return to that area. So, I would highly recommend shadowing for you personally and not just to fulfill requirements.