Taking a year off...

[Phillygirl98]

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Random questions..

So I went to visit PCO this past Friday. I told them how I am taking a year off between graduating college and optometry school and that i was looking for a job. They told me that I shoudl also consider taking some upper level bio classes to make it look like I'm still studying and in the school mode. Is this necessary? I was planning on working..and I don't have extra money lying around to take extra upper level bios. I already have taken some upper level bios since I was a bio major at school. Has anyone else taken a year off..did they care if you took classes just to take to look good? Any opinions and suggestions would be appreciated..thanks!

 

[drbizzaro]

Random questions..

So I went to visit PCO this past Friday. I told them how I am taking a year off between graduating college and optometry school and that i was looking for a job. They told me that I shoudl also consider taking some upper level bio classes to make it look like I'm still studying and in the school mode. Is this necessary? I was planning on working..and I don't have extra money lying around to take extra upper level bios. I already have taken some upper level bios since I was a bio major at school. Has anyone else taken a year off..did they care if you took classes just to take to look good? Any opinions and suggestions would be appreciated..thanks!

that's seriously a load of crap... dont waste time taking upper level bio classes... most of the classes in first year are way easier than your undergrad stuff (for example, immunology stuff is way more basic than if you took a whole class in it in undergrad)...

also, apply to boston... i bet you, you'll enjoy it more here anyways...

by the way, i took off a year too... and i didn't take any classes... i just travelled with friends for a vacation, and that was definitely not keeping me in the school mode...

 

[Hamtaro]

that's seriously a load of crap... dont waste time taking upper level bio classes... most of the classes in first year are way easier than your undergrad stuff (for example, immunology stuff is way more basic than if you took a whole class in it in undergrad)...

also, apply to boston... i bet you, you'll enjoy it more here anyways...

by the way, i took off a year too... and i didn't take any classes... i just travelled with friends for a vacation, and that was definitely not keeping me in the school mode...

I took a year off to travel around too, for the first half of the year I travelled around to different States and around Canada for Optometry/Med school interviews. For the later half, I did some personal travelling (Alaska, Hong Kong, Japan). It is not really useful for you, both academically and psychologically, for taking "more" classes after you graduate (unless you need to pull your GPA up - in that case take some EASY courses-). Take the year off, you earned it!

 

[happy7]

take the year off to relax and enjoy yourself. i worked for a year and saved up a TON of $$, which has helped a lot since i have to take out less in loans. DON'T take any classes. you will have more than a full plate when you start school!!!!!

 

[christie]

Hey,

I took a few years off in between college and optometry school, and took 30+ credits of graduate courses during that time, it may have enhanced my application, not sure..

But if you can't take any upper level courses, don't worry about it. They probably feel that if your not in the study mode for awhile, its hard to get back into it, I do not agree with that. In fact, it may make you more of a better student. 🙂

By the way, what did you think of PCO? Was your visit enjoyable?

 

[Phillygirl98]

yeah I did like PCO Christie...and the fact taht u took the 30+ credits probably helped u since they told me to do it. PCO is my first choice since I live close to it..I'm also applying to Boston too drbizzaro. Yeah I didnt understand what the admissions guy was talking about..I already took upper level bios in college..I don't feel the need to go to another local college to just take a class which would probably cost me around $1800..and it wouldn't be towards any kind of degree either being just a year. I'm still looking for a job but no one seems to want to hire bio majors these days..the cash would be nice for school..thanks for the comments! 😀

 

[happy7]

see if you can get a job working for an optometrist. it definitely gives you an advantage once you start school, plus, it is always good to start making professional connections!

 

[jd4me]

I would only take the extra courses if you think that your application needs improvement and you think that these courses will improve your chances of getting in. The odds are that it wouldn't improve your application since you've already taken upper level bio courses. In the meantime, you could ideally get a job doing something that would improve your application (ex: somewhere in the healthcare field).

 

[TJ 94]

I took off a year and worked with 2 OD's. I was accepted to every OD school I applied too with avg grades and oat score. Ill be attending PCO in 2 weeks.