Taking the plunge?

[NewsGirl]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello everyone, I'm new around here... and just starting to think seriously about pre-Optometry.

I graduated last March with a Bachelor's in Journalism and work full time at a local TV station. I love what I do, but it's so unstable-- and I know I'll never be able to have a family working 50+ hours a week.

My dad is an optometrist, and I wanted to be just like him since I was a little kid. I got into journalism by chance, and while I don't regret my decision, I know I want other options. I love the connection he has with his patients and community, and it would be a dream come true to work alongside him in his practice.

Big problem, though.

I have taken none of the science prerequisites for optometry. There are 14 classes I would need-- Bio, Gen Chem, OChem, BioChem, Microbio, Physics and Physiology.

I took very few "hard" science classes in college-- and I guess my biggest question is, do you think it's even possible to get through them working full time? (I graduated cum laude, but Journalism is very different from pre-Optometry!)

My plan would be to do them one at a time, through a community college's distance learning program. (Everything is online except one class a week.) Do you guys see any problem with this? They're on a quarter system, so it would take me a little more than three years. Would I have trouble on the OAT spreading them out so much? What order should I take them in? And... what would admissions committees think about them being from a community college?

So many questions right now... I just don't know where to begin, or who to ask about it. I was very excited to find this place, and I hope you all can offer some insight and guidance. I've been reading on here for several weeks, and you all seem wonderful!

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom you may be able to give. 🙂

 

[KHE]

I took very few "hard" science classes in college-- and I guess my biggest question is, do you think it's even possible to get through them working full time? (I graduated cum laude, but Journalism is very different from pre-Optometry!)

My plan would be to do them one at a time, through a community college's distance learning program. (Everything is online except one class a week.) Do you guys see any problem with this? They're on a quarter system, so it would take me a little more than three years. Would I have trouble on the OAT spreading them out so much? What order should I take them in? And... what would admissions committees think about them being from a community college?🙂

Try using the search function because that issue has been discussed numerous times.

In general though, it's going to be advisable for you to take as many classes as you can at a traditional 4 year university. Too many community college classes, particularly if they're taken one at a time is not going to show anyone that you can handle the rigors of optometry school which is a lot of courses all at once.

 

[NatashaColorado]

Hello everyone, I'm new around here... and just starting to think seriously about pre-Optometry.

I graduated last March with a Bachelor's in Journalism and work full time at a local TV station. I love what I do, but it's so unstable-- and I know I'll never be able to have a family working 50+ hours a week.

My dad is an optometrist, and I wanted to be just like him since I was a little kid. I got into journalism by chance, and while I don't regret my decision, I know I want other options. I love the connection he has with his patients and community, and it would be a dream come true to work alongside him in his practice.

Big problem, though.


I have taken none of the science prerequisites for optometry. There are 14 classes I would need-- Bio, Gen Chem, OChem, BioChem, Microbio, Physics and Physiology.

I took very few "hard" science classes in college-- and I guess my biggest question is, do you think it's even possible to get through them working full time? (I graduated cum laude, but Journalism is very different from pre-Optometry!)

My plan would be to do them one at a time, through a community college's distance learning program. (Everything is online except one class a week.) Do you guys see any problem with this? They're on a quarter system, so it would take me a little more than three years. Would I have trouble on the OAT spreading them out so much? What order should I take them in? And... what would admissions committees think about them being from a community college?

So many questions right now... I just don't know where to begin, or who to ask about it. I was very excited to find this place, and I hope you all can offer some insight and guidance. I've been reading on here for several weeks, and you all seem wonderful!

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom you may be able to give. 🙂

I think the biggest problem is "working full time" - that will slow you down. Taking one class at a time, online, at the community college is also a bad idea - how can you show you can handle 5-7 science classes per semester, that you'll get in the optometry school? Somehow, somewhere you gotta find the way to work less, or stop working (Financial Aid, student loans). Then, get on the Express train:
If I were you, I would start my shadowing experience RIGHT NOW, if you are sure you want to pursue Optometry. I would take Bio, Chem, Physics and O Chem in 3 semesters (including summer) - that is 8 classes and 8 labs over 3 semesters. Then take OAT in January (do well, as it becomes more competitive later in the year) and apply for 2011. While waiting, in spring, 2010 I would finish Micro, Physiology and Biochemistry - 3 classes and 2 labs. It will take some serious studying, I know, but if you can be a full-time student and not work - it is so very possible! I took 5 classes and 3 labs last spring, so I am speaking from a personal experience.