Taking a year off...

[qablue]

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What are the pro's and con's of taking a year off between undergraduate education and optometry school? I'm thinking about taking a year off to study for the OAT and gain more optometry-related experiences (i.e. work, do research, volunteer).

In truth, I would rather go straight to optometry after graduation, but I don't think I would be competitive enough if I apply early senior year. Applying early senior year (fall 2008) means that I would have to rush through the pre-reqs, OAT prep, and applications.

 

[iowaeyes]

What's your current GPA and experience?

 

[hokulele]

I took time off, and I am glad that I did. I highly recommend it, especially if you are unsure about optometry, or would like to gain more experience.

I graduated in 2005, and I will be starting this coming Fall of 2007. I basically took TWO years off and I feel that it did not hurt me in the application process at all.

Taking time off can be a rewarding experience, as long as you use it well.

 

[DrSpontaneouz83]

I too graduated in 2005 and will be entering this fall 2007. My application process was not affected at all either, i was accepted to 3/4 schools I applied to. I used those 2 years to gain experience and of course, make money (using my bio degree) and bought some nicer things to spoil myself. I did remain in the eyecare field, a lasik center to be exact, and I pretty much have a lot more background info on different paths for optometrists and eye-related problems. Most importantly, i feel RELAXED and ready to endure 4 years of stress and anxiety.

 

[optogirl21]

I also took a year off after graduation. I will be going to Optometry school this fall and am really glad I took the year off. Initially I felt that I might be wasting an extra year but now that I look back, a year off was certainly not a waste because I enjoyed my year and did fun things. I volunteered alot and got a good job to make some extra money (for Optometry school in fact!). New friendships were also created from the various things I got involved in and I know these friendships will last for the rest of my life. I'll also be doing a bit of travelling this summer before I head back to school in the fall. Like the previous poster I also feel relaxed and ready to hit the books again.

If I had gone to Optometry school right after I graduated I would have been done by the time I was 25. Now I will be graduating when I am 26, and for me personally that isn't a huge difference. I think as long as you doing things you enjoy during your year off it shouldn't feel like a waste of a year. I have no regrets in taking my year off because I did things I won't get a chance to do after I graduate Optometry school.

 

[qablue]

Thank you for all the input. It has been very helpful.