What are my chances?

[mthomas2]

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Hi Everyone,

This is my first time writing. I would like to know your opinion on the following. But before I get into the questions, here's why I have concerns? I am a mother of two (12 & 17 girls), a stepmother of a 14 yr. old boy. I am 35 years old. I have a degree in Communications and received it back in 2000. I am back in school now cramming all of my science requirements. I haven't taken the OAT yet. I was hoping to apply to optometry school for 2006 or 2007. I live in Florida, so the only school I will apply for and I want to go because I can't move is Nova. I have decided to make this career change because I finally have the opportunity to do so. I wanted to go to optometry school when I was much younger, but since I got married young and had kids young that dream seemed so unrealistic. However, one thing is for sure- now years later I find myself wanting to accomplish this dream. So.....

1. Given this scenerio, what are my chance of being accepted into optometry school?

2. Do I seem crazy that at my age I would want to start all over?

3. Given my age, Do you think that it will be worth it by the time I graduated?

4. Any imput about Nova?

Thank You!

 

[optogirl2010]

mthomas2,

I definitely admire your motivation to pursue and fulfill your dreams. This is a wonderful goal you have. I think as long as you keep your science and pre-req GPA above a 3.3 or so, and do well on your OAT then you should be a competitive applicant. Also, what experience or exposure do you have in the field of optometry? Try to shadow as much as you can, gaining an internship opportunity would be awesome. Good luck to you!

 

[mthomas2]

mthomas2,

I definitely admire your motivation to pursue and fulfill your dreams. This is a wonderful goal you have. I think as long as you keep your science and pre-req GPA above a 3.3 or so, and do well on your OAT then you should be a competitive applicant. Also, what experience or exposure do you have in the field of optometry? Try to shadow as much as you can, gaining an internship opportunity would be awesome. Good luck to you!

Thanks for the advice and for the encouragement.

 

[pre-opt]

I don't think you are crazy at all...especially if this is what you really want to do with the rest of your life. I am a 1st year optometry student, and we actually have a 40 year old man in our class. I also know of several other students at least your age. I admire people like you who go back to school and are able to balance a family and school. Good luck in your journey!

 

[prettygreeneyes]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first time writing. I would like to know your opinion on the following. But before I get into the questions, here's why I have concerns? I am a mother of two (12 & 17 girls), a stepmother of a 14 yr. old boy. I am 35 years old. I have a degree in Communications and received it back in 2000. I am back in school now cramming all of my science requirements. I haven't taken the OAT yet. I was hoping to apply to optometry school for 2006 or 2007. I live in Florida, so the only school I will apply for and I want to go because I can't move is Nova. I have decided to make this career change because I finally have the opportunity to do so. I wanted to go to optometry school when I was much younger, but since I got married young and had kids young that dream seemed so unrealistic. However, one thing is for sure- now years later I find myself wanting to accomplish this dream. So.....

1. Given this scenerio, what are my chance of being accepted into optometry school?

2. Do I seem crazy that at my age I would want to start all over?

3. Given my age, Do you think that it will be worth it by the time I graduated?

4. Any imput about Nova?

Thank You!

First of all, let me say that I admire your determination! Provided your GPA and OAT scores are decent, I would think you have a good chance of being accepted somewhere. You would enter optometry school armed with tons of life experience and perspective. Use that to your advantage. I would also say that regardless of age, pursuing your goals and doing something that makes you happy is never a waste of time. Best of luck to you! 😉

 

[Katalio]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first time writing. I would like to know your opinion on the following. But before I get into the questions, here's why I have concerns? I am a mother of two (12 & 17 girls), a stepmother of a 14 yr. old boy. I am 35 years old. I have a degree in Communications and received it back in 2000. I am back in school now cramming all of my science requirements. I haven't taken the OAT yet. I was hoping to apply to optometry school for 2006 or 2007. I live in Florida, so the only school I will apply for and I want to go because I can't move is Nova. I have decided to make this career change because I finally have the opportunity to do so. I wanted to go to optometry school when I was much younger, but since I got married young and had kids young that dream seemed so unrealistic. However, one thing is for sure- now years later I find myself wanting to accomplish this dream. So.....

1. Given this scenerio, what are my chance of being accepted into optometry school?

2. Do I seem crazy that at my age I would want to start all over?

3. Given my age, Do you think that it will be worth it by the time I graduated?

4. Any imput about Nova?

Thank You!

First of all, I'm not trying to downside your motivation. But in my opinion, optometry is tough, and you should be well aware that you'll be spending full time studying or practicing your practical skills. You have to take into account that once you get into optometry school, your younger daughter will only be around 13-14. At that time, with you studying full time, would that be a bit of burden for your daughters especially your younger one? I believe during that time, it's important for you to spend time with your daughters. Although you might think that you 'll still have time to spend with them, at LEAST there'll be a fair portion of time that'll be spent on books. I would suggest you discuss this with your daughters as well and see what they think. You also have to take into account the cost of these 4 yrs and also the last yr when you have to do your externship.

Cheerz,

Katalio

 

[polkadot]

1. Given this scenerio, what are my chance of being accepted into optometry school?

2. Do I seem crazy that at my age I would want to start all over?

3. Given my age, Do you think that it will be worth it by the time I graduated?

4. Any imput about Nova?

First, I applaud your courage to go back to school with a family already in tow. You are awesome!!!

www.opted.org has a couple charts showing all pre-reqs and basic entering stats for all the schools.

Also check out the NOVA application online, if you haven't already, and figure out what you're missing. If NOVA is the only school you're interested in, I would try to set up a meeting with their admissions office (a lot of schools do these familiarization meetings) and bring all your transcripts and your plan for the rest of the pre-reqs. Ask them what you need to do to get in. My personal opinion is that a returning gpa of 3.3+ and moderate OATs (320-330) will get you in, but I didn't apply to NOVA so have nothing to gauge by.

The workload will be tough, indeed, but not anything you can't handle. After all, you have 2 teens and a tween. 😛

Good luck!
-p.dot

 

[RyuKenli]

Follow your dream and live happy!

 

[stevec]

There is a 35 year old guy at SCO with 3 kids and another one on the way. He was a school teacher for 10 years and decided it was time for a career change. We got another older lady who was a piano teacher.

 

[xmattODx]

First of all, I'm not trying to downside your motivation. But in my opinion, optometry is tough, and you should be well aware that you'll be spending full time studying or practicing your practical skills. You have to take into account that once you get into optometry school, your younger daughter will only be around 13-14. At that time, with you studying full time, would that be a bit of burden for your daughters especially your younger one? I believe during that time, it's important for you to spend time with your daughters. Although you might think that you 'll still have time to spend with them, at LEAST there'll be a fair portion of time that'll be spent on books. I would suggest you discuss this with your daughters as well and see what they think. You also have to take into account the cost of these 4 yrs and also the last yr when you have to do your externship.

Cheerz,

Katalio

A lot of people in my class had families. One woman had two children over the course of OD school. For a lot of people OD school does not require a lot of late nights of studying. With good time management the OP shouldn't run into a situation of neglect.

 

[mthomas2]

I don't think you are crazy at all...especially if this is what you really want to do with the rest of your life. I am a 1st year optometry student, and we actually have a 40 year old man in our class. I also know of several other students at least your age. I admire people like you who go back to school and are able to balance a family and school. Good luck in your journey!

Thank you!

 

[mthomas2]

First of all, I'm not trying to downside your motivation. But in my opinion, optometry is tough, and you should be well aware that you'll be spending full time studying or practicing your practical skills. You have to take into account that once you get into optometry school, your younger daughter will only be around 13-14. At that time, with you studying full time, would that be a bit of burden for your daughters especially your younger one? I believe during that time, it's important for you to spend time with your daughters. Although you might think that you 'll still have time to spend with them, at LEAST there'll be a fair portion of time that'll be spent on books. I would suggest you discuss this with your daughters as well and see what they think. You also have to take into account the cost of these 4 yrs and also the last yr when you have to do your externship.

Cheerz,

Katalio

These are things to highly consider- Thanks!

 

[Katalio]

I admire your determination! Good Luck ! =)

 

[cpw]

my best friend in school graduated at 34 and another classmate graduated at 37. You definitely won't be alone. 🙂 Good luck !!

 

[boon]

I think I have the same title question as mthomas2 here,

well I have a 2.98 (not 3.0 🙁 ) around 3.5 in Science courses if that matters
no bachelor degree yet
haven't taken the oat yet. What are my chances? If I do well in my Oat score, will I have a chance to get in? What would a good score to be able to get in really, with my low gpa?

 

[J.opt]

Thank you!

I'm not sure how it works, but Nova also has a 5-year OD program. Check it out, it may fit better with your time/family responsabilities (even though it'd take you a year longer to graduate).

 

[odstudent]

I think I have the same title question as mthomas2 here,

well I have a 2.98 (not 3.0 🙁 ) around 3.5 in Science courses if that matters
no bachelor degree yet
haven't taken the oat yet. What are my chances? If I do well in my Oat score, will I have a chance to get in? What would a good score to be able to get in really, with my low gpa?

I think you have a shot of getting in. Try to get atleast a 320 on your OAT and you should be fine. Esp. with a 3.5 science GPA.

 

[mthomas2]

I'm not sure how it works, but Nova also has a 5-year OD program. Check it out, it may fit better with your time/family responsabilities (even though it'd take you a year longer to graduate).

Thanks, I'll look into it.

 

[drmhyde]

😀

Hi Everyone,

This is my first time writing. I would like to know your opinion on the following. But before I get into the questions, here's why I have concerns? I am a mother of two (12 & 17 girls), a stepmother of a 14 yr. old boy. I am 35 years old. I have a degree in Communications and received it back in 2000. I am back in school now cramming all of my science requirements. I haven't taken the OAT yet. I was hoping to apply to optometry school for 2006 or 2007. I live in Florida, so the only school I will apply for and I want to go because I can't move is Nova. I have decided to make this career change because I finally have the opportunity to do so. I wanted to go to optometry school when I was much younger, but since I got married young and had kids young that dream seemed so unrealistic. However, one thing is for sure- now years later I find myself wanting to accomplish this dream. So.....

1. Given this scenerio, what are my chance of being accepted into optometry school?

2. Do I seem crazy that at my age I would want to start all over?

3. Given my age, Do you think that it will be worth it by the time I graduated?

4. Any imput about Nova?

Thank You!

You are so not crazy! Rock on and GO FOR IT. I had a couple of women in my class about 40 with kids...shoot...several women HAD a couple of kids DURING SCHOOL. One of my friends delivered..two weeks later took finals and kicked the crap put of almost everyone with her grades. (scarey isn't it.)
That was my motiation to graduate..I was all like DAMN if she can do all taht I should at least read my note service tonight instead of drinking beer all night.

 

[lookintomyeyes]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first time writing. I would like to know your opinion on the following. But before I get into the questions, here's why I have concerns? I am a mother of two (12 & 17 girls), a stepmother of a 14 yr. old boy. I am 35 years old. I have a degree in Communications and received it back in 2000. I am back in school now cramming all of my science requirements. I haven't taken the OAT yet. I was hoping to apply to optometry school for 2006 or 2007. I live in Florida, so the only school I will apply for and I want to go because I can't move is Nova. I have decided to make this career change because I finally have the opportunity to do so. I wanted to go to optometry school when I was much younger, but since I got married young and had kids young that dream seemed so unrealistic. However, one thing is for sure- now years later I find myself wanting to accomplish this dream. So.....

1. Given this scenerio, what are my chance of being accepted into optometry school?

2. Do I seem crazy that at my age I would want to start all over?

3. Given my age, Do you think that it will be worth it by the time I graduated?

4. Any imput about Nova?

Thank You!


I am a first year student at Nova and we have several older classmates who are in their late 30's or 40's. If you are concerned that taking the full course load may cut into your family time, Nova has an extended 5 (instead of 4) year program that you could follow. I know it may not be ideal to add an extra year on, but you would likely be thankful that you did it in the end. That's all the help I can give you, but I think it would be worth it for you to try!

 

[cpw]

I can't even fathom how much debt you'd be in after five years at NOVA !! good lord.

 

[mthomas2]

😀
You are so not crazy! Rock on and GO FOR IT. I had a couple of women in my class about 40 with kids...shoot...several women HAD a couple of kids DURING SCHOOL. One of my friends delivered..two weeks later took finals and kicked the crap put of almost everyone with her grades. (scarey isn't it.)
That was my motiation to graduate..I was all like DAMN if she can do all taht I should at least read my note service tonight instead of drinking beer all night.

Thanks for the encouragement! Loved you response!

 

[mthomas2]

I can't even fathom how much debt you'd be in after five years at NOVA !! good lord.

Well over $100,000. ouch!

 

[J.opt]

I can't even fathom how much debt you'd be in after five years at NOVA !! good lord.

I don't remember if in-state students get to pay cheaper tuition, but when I interviewed there, they told me that I should expect to borrow around 185K/year as an out-of-stater.
That's one of the bad things about Nova. They manage the place a lot like a corporation and I got the feeling that they only wanted my money.

 

[Opii]

Hi Everyone,

..... I wanted to go to optometry school when I was much younger, but since I got married young and had kids young that dream seemed so unrealistic. However, one thing is for sure- now years later I find myself wanting to accomplish this dream. So.....


Go for it!

 

[duracell]

What..........$185,000 USD A YEAR? Did they include the price of a BMW to get around campus?!