I am an undergraduate student and I'm hoping to apply to optometry school. I graduate in 2011 and I would like to start Optometry School the following year (2011-2012 year). What is the timeline for tasks I should accomplish to get in for the 2011-2012 school year (taking the OAT, applying, etc.).
Thanks!
Andrea
Hi 4ndrea -
Well, I would consider taking the OAT as soon as you feel comfortable taking it. That way, if you feel you need to retake it for whatever reason you'll have plenty of time to retake them (90 day wait between successive OATs). Your scores will be good for two years.
The next cycle should begin sometime in July (this OptomCas cycle began July 15th 09) Your LORs will probably be submitted electronically through OptomCas, so it's best to have your recommenders lined up. Once the cycle opens and you start the application, you'll fill in the recommenders' info & OptomCas will send them a request for the LOR. Some recommenders get busy, and they may take a while, so the earlier you get them lined up, the better.
Get as much shadowing experience as possible. Don't limit yourself to just one mode of practice to shadow - shadow different docs in different settings, i.e. at a VA hospital, a private practice OD, a doc in low vision or vision therapy. Take notes & ask questions about his/her mode of practice, and current events facing optometry, how they chose their mode of practice, and if they have any regrets. The interviewers will ask about your experience shadowing. I did a total of 50 hours shadowing (~10 hrs at each practice)
Extra Curriculars: Volunteer at anything a few hours a month. Do you have other things like club/sports/band activities? They'll help your application immensely.
Transcripts: HAVE YOUR UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS HANDY! You'll be filling out a whole worksheet on OptomCas where you must enter every undergrad/post bac. class you've ever taken. On top of that, you'll need to have official transcripts sent to OptomCas so they can verify what you entered. (This part was a pain because I attended 7 different schools!) Some schools want HS transcripts and/or SAT/ACT official score reports too.
Work experience: Have an updated resume/CV handy too.
The essays: Since this was the 1st ever OptomCas cycle, I'm not sure if the essay topic will be the same next cycle. This cycle's essay was something along the lines of what motivated you to become an optometrist? How did you prepare to become an optometrist? What are your career goals? They allowed 4500 characters including spaces for the essay. Keep in mind, that may change next cycle.
Supplemental Apps.: A lot of the schools have a supplemental that may or may not include an essay/statement for that particular school. You can't recycle the OptomCas essay. Look at each school's website for info.
If you've gotten this far - Congrats!
Interviews: DO YOUR RESEARCH ON THE SCHOOL BEFORE THE INTERVIEW!! Read over your application thoroughly. Some schools have closed file interviews (You've gotten through the academic potion - WHEW! They really only know your name, and want to get to know you) Some have open file (they have your grades, LORs and they may ask you to explain certain aspects of your app - Damage Control!) My best advice is to know what an OD can/can't do, what current events are going on in the profession, and know the different modes of practice.
APPLY EARLY!!: I can't stress this enough! The earlier you apply, the greater your chance of acceptance. I applied (clicked on send) in Oct. 09, interviewed the 1st & second weeks of January (at 3 schools on both coasts - lots of time on a plane & in hotels & car rentals), and I received acceptances from all 3 by the end of January. As the cycle progresses and classes fill, the competition gets greater to fill fewer seats later in the cycle.
All in all, I opened my OptomCas application in August 09 (you can save and update it as your parts come together), I gathered LORs, transcripts, score reports, etc., and shadowed throughout the summer of 09. I clicked send in Oct. 09, took the OAT 1st week in Nov. 09, and received invitations for interviews in December. I scheduled the interviews, airline tickets, hotels & car rentals in Dec. also.
Although it all worked out for me, I felt a bit rushed. If you spread these all out over the next several months, and have all of the paperwork out of the way, you should have a smooth road ahead of you.
Good luck, and I hope this gives you some idea of a timeline.
