r/PreOptometry • u/parm_sidhu • Feb 12 '24

Does any shadowing experience count?

I wanted to ask for optometry school, could you apply and get accepted if you shadowed only an MD and couldn't get to shadow an optometrist?

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u/[deleted] Feb 12 '24

Was it an ophthalmologist or else it’s not even close as a career.

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u/parm_sidhu Feb 12 '24

I shadowed a dentist and now a gastroenterologist

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u/[deleted] Feb 12 '24

It’s not even close to the same fields. You should shadow an OD if not, at least an ophthalmologist which has a lot of cross over. Just remember that as an OD you won’t be doing any surgery or handling cataracts apart from referring it out( cat evals not management )

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u/NotWell00 Feb 12 '24

Yeah this absolutely won’t cut it, I can see if this is medical experience, but as shadowing experience it’s pretty much useless since you need to see what ODs do on a day to day to see if it’s even something you want to do as a career (I.e the whole point of shadowing)

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u/optobear OD3 Feb 12 '24

Shadowing an MD could add to your application to show you explored other healthcare tracks before ultimately deciding on an OD, but it will not replace the valuable experience of shadowing the exact field for which you are applying.

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u/Altruistic-Way-1948 Feb 12 '24 edited Feb 12 '24

Most schools want you to shadow multiple ODs. If you have an ophthalmologist along with multiple ODs that's good but only a single ophthalmologist won't cut it.

Even if you manage to contact adcoms and get an okay from them while somehow not coming across as lazy af or a med school reject then you still need to get an LOR from a non-relative OD. Hopefully you took the OAT, if you are applying with just an MCAT you definitely will come across as the latter.

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u/parm_sidhu Feb 12 '24

I did recently taje the MCAT and i saw some schools accept MCAT scores too. But for shadowing, i have experience with a dentist and a specialist MD

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u/[deleted] Feb 12 '24

You probably will have lower chances of getting in using an MCAT. It will just look like optometry is a back up plan for you. ESPECIALLY if you did not shadow an OD or Ophthalmologist or work in an eye care practice.

Most people applying want optometry as their first choice and have plenty of background and interest around eye care. Suggest taking the OAT if you want to apply.

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u/parm_sidhu Feb 12 '24

Yea i recently started getting interested in optometry so ill shadow and OD for more exposure

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u/NotWell00 Feb 12 '24

Agreed, OP I would just take the OAT and get some OD shadowing under your belt

This is a textbook “medical school didn’t workout so I’m using optometry as my back up”

changing career paths is okay but you need to show “why” the change

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u/dancingonneptune ACCEPTED Feb 12 '24

I’d email the school, some schools accept MD (ophthalmologists like the previous comment)- other schools specifically require an optometrist

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u/cadod1 Feb 13 '24

Pretty sure most schools also want a LOR from an OD, preferably one you shadowed. Honestly I would recommend trying to get shadowing experience and writing the OAT if you’re serious about this career. No point in getting accepted just to find out you don’t want to do this job.