Volunteer???

[kitty]

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Does anyone know if it is required or preferred any volunteer work to be accepted into optometrist school? Thanks!!!🙂

 

[eyelectric]

I can only speak for the application process at Pacific, but it didn't seem to be something they were too concerned with. They had a little section on the application devoted to volunteering/extracurricular activities but I did not mention anything about volunteer work on the application. It also came up briefly in the interview and I explained that I completed some volunteer work through an old employer around five years ago. They seemed to be content with that response. I would think that doing a few hours here and there could only help your chances, but it definitely did not seem like a major requirement. Good luck!

 

[IDoctor]

I believe Pacific requires you to have shadowed an optometrist without pay.

 

[eyelectric]

I believe Pacific requires you to have shadowed an optometrist without pay.

That is true. You have to have 30 hours of shadowing with an optometrist and they prefer this to be in varying settings (i.e. solo practice, group practice, commercial, VA, etc.). I may have misunderstood the question; I assumed the OP was referring to volunteering with charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity or JDF. I think that most (if not all) schools require some shadowing with optometrists (and if they don't, they should). As far as volunteering with a charitable organization, Pacific makes no mention of it being a requirement. It definitely can't hurt your chances, though.

 

[IDoctor]

I didnt intend for my response to seem like it was inteded as rebuttle to yours eyelectic. I was just replying at the same time to the intial question, and just happned to mention Pacific also. Pacific was the only school that I know that "requires" you to have shadowed an optometrist and without pay.

As for charitable volunteering, I believe it isnt a requirement, but I believe it is highly recommended. You are getting yourself into a career path where you will be helping others, and doing some volunteer work during your freetime as an undregraduate can show that you do care about helping others, rather than just going into the career for money and prestige.

 

[eyelectric]

I didnt intend for my response to seem like it was inteded as rebuttle to yours eyelectic. I was just replying at the same time to the intial question, and just happned to mention Pacific also. Pacific was the only school that I know that "requires" you to have shadowed an optometrist and without pay.

As for charitable volunteering, I believe it isnt a requirement, but I believe it is highly recommended. You are getting yourself into a career path where you will be helping others, and doing some volunteer work during your freetime as an undregraduate can show that you do care about helping others, rather than just going into the career for money and prestige.

I know you didn't mean it as a rebuttle to my post; I didn't take any offense. I just saw your post and I realized that the OP might actually be talking about shadowing with and OD instead of community service (or both perhaps?).