Trying for optometry and med at the same time?

[deleted989644]

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Hi!

This is kind of a testy question, but I was wondering if it is legally alright to apply to both optometry school and medical school (MD / DO) at the same time?

I work at an eye clinic, so that was something one of the passing doctors recommended to me. In his opinion, you can cash in on both experiences and I do enjoy eyes.

How feasible is this? Would there be any consequences if I cancel one of the other if I get into both careers?

 

[UnicornOpt]

I heard from my friend Bimmy that it is illegal to apply to both optometry school and medical school at the same time. Don't risk going to jail over this. If they allowed you to cash in on both experiences, then everyone would do it.

Assuming you got into both, I hardly dare to think of what could happen - where you'd be - if you cancel one career . Sends shivers down my spine.

 

[deleted989644]

I heard from my friend Bimmy that it is illegal to apply to both optometry school and medical school at the same time. Don't risk going to jail over this. If they allowed you to cash in on both experiences, then everyone would do it.

Assuming you got into both, I hardly dare to think of what could happen - where you'd be - if you cancel one career . Sends shivers down my spine.

Oh! I didn't know that it could be illegal.

I've heard of people applying to both dentistry and medicine at the same time, picking one or the other when decisions were finalized.

 

[odfuturedoc]

Oh! I didn't know that it could be illegal.

I've heard of people applying to both dentistry and medicine at the same time, picking one or the other when decisions were finalized.

....(facepalm)

 

[Weirdy]

Oh! I didn't know that it could be illegal.

I've heard of people applying to both dentistry and medicine at the same time, picking one or the other when decisions were finalized.

He was being sarcastic.

You're fine.

 

[GypsyHummus]

Easy jump from MD/DO to OD, and the oat is much easier than the MCAT.

 

[mar2018]

it's not illegal, i'm sure there are some people that apply to more than one type of program. But yes the MCAT is significantly harder.

 

[EyeSee20]

Those are two very different paths and the amount of preparation (and costs) you would have to do for both would be quite difficult. I would do more research or shadow different's OD/MDs and decide what you are set on.

 

[deleted989644]

Easy jump from MD/DO to OD, and the oat is much easier than the MCAT.

I can definitely see that.

I'm just wondering if one can apply to both, reject one and still be alright. Of course, rejecting one or the other might have dire consequences if the chosen option fails (i.e. fails medical school).

 

[DoctorOD]

I can only speak on behalf of my experience, but Ohio State always asks what your career trajectory is. As a world-renown academic institution, they do not like to hear they are "sloppy seconds" or anyone's backup. The students who matriculate into the program chose the profession for a reason. Several of my classmates took the MCAT, applied, and even were accepted into medical school before withdrawing to pursue optometry once they discovered the benefits of the profession.

I would absolutely not blanket statement that the OAT is easier than the MCAT. They have similar structures, but like the PCAT and DAT, the OAT has its own special subjects it tries to assess. This is, of course, solely based on my experience from when I was accepted in optometry school.

 

[ForgotUserName]

I would absolutely not blanket statement that the OAT is easier than the MCAT. They have similar structures, but like the PCAT and DAT, the OAT has its own special subjects it tries to assess. This is, of course, solely based on my experience from when I was accepted in optometry school.

OAT is easier compared to MCAT based on personal experience.

 

[mar2018]

Yea honestly it would be hard to study for both the MCAT and OAT at the same time. There's more subjects on the MCAT compared to the OAT/DAT/PCAT and it's double the time. Also, the format is very different. I think you should try and figure out which field you're interested in and go for one of them. The application process can be pretty intense

 

[Weirdy]

MCAT is quantifiably harder.

2nd and 3rd order questions. Double negatives. Paragraph stems and graphs to analyze.