Undergrad Prep:
- A
Typical Timeline
- Undergrad
Focus
1) Academics
and
OAT
2) LORs
3) Shadowing
4) Extracurriculars
- Applications
- Interviewing
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A
Typical Timeline
from Undergrad to Optometry School (and beyond)
Please note that the information below is very general and may vary
between schools.
Undergrad:
Freshman Year:
- Begin
looking into the
profession by researching on the web such as www.opted.org
- Start
looking around
for
extracurricular activities (ECs) to do e.g. joining
pre-optometry/pre-health organizations, volunteering, research, etc.
- Visit
your pre-health
advisor
if your campus has one
- Sign
up for a letter of
recommendation handling service/committee letter service (not all
schools offer this)
- Stay
focused on
academics;
many applicants I knew had poor performance during freshman year and it
came back to haunt them during application time.
Sophomore
Year:
- Start
thinking of
people
(professors, supervisors, etc.) to write you a letter of recommendation.
- Start
shadowing
optometrists.
- Continue
with ECs
Junior
Year:
- Start
requesting for
letters
of recommendation (early Junior Year)
- Begin
studying for the
OAT,
and take a prep course if you feel the need to (highly recommended).
- Start
thinking about
which
schools you would like to apply to
- Continue
with ECs, and
try to
take on leadership positions if possible.
- Diversify
your
shadowing to get exposure to the different aspects of optometry
(private practice,
commercial, etc.)
- Start
thinking about
what to
write on your personal statement and make a draft (the earlier done,
the less cramming so therefore a better personal statement)
- Take
the OAT
Senior
Year:
- Visit
optometry schools
if you
can
- Finalize
all letters of
recommendation and the committee letter, if applicable
- Proofread
and finalize
your
personal statement
- Apply
EARLY!
It’s
a HUGE advantage.
- Complete
secondaries,
if
applicable (only some schools have them).
- Interview
for schools.
- Get
accepted!
Acceptances can be as early as fall of your senior year.
- Start/renew
your FAFSA
if you
need financial aid for school and look for scholarships and loans (see
your optometry school’s financial aid office).
Optometry
School (a very generalized timeline)
First Year:
- Take
classes in basic
sciences
and introductory clinical studies
Second Year:
- More
sciences and
increased
clinical studies
Third Year:
- More
emphasis on
specialized
clinical skills, i.e. advanced ocular pathology, vision therapy,
etc.
- Prep for/take the NBEO I (National Board of Examiners in Optometry)
Fourth Year:
- Clinical
rotations
- Study
for/take the NBEO
II in
the middle of the fourth year
- Study
for/take the NBEO
III at
the end of the fourth year.
After Optometry School
Residency
Optometrists can pursue various residencies including visual therapy,
pediatric optometry, geriatric optometry, low vision rehabilitation,
and ocular disease. Residencies are typically about one year
in
length.
Private Practice
Optometrists can work in various private practice settings, including
ownership of a solo practice, a partnership with other optometrists in
one office, or even work with an ophthalmologist.
Commercial Practice
There are many options for working commercially, from chain optical
stores such as Pearle Vision and Lenscrafters, to the larger retail
stores such as Target and Wal-Mart.
Military
There are also optometrists that serve in the Army, Navy, and Air
Force. You can apply for scholarships that offer a modest
stipend
and
pay
for tuition, books, and equipment in return for time in service. |
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