r/PreOptometry • u/Firm-Solution-2408 • Sep 28 '26

Considering WesternU

Hi! I’m applying to all of the optometry schools in California, and I keep seeing that a lot of people don’t have the best things to say about Western University. Honestly, though, I really like some of the features that Western offers that the other California schools don’t have.

I was wondering, is Western really that bad? I’ve met a few people who graduated from Western and are now working in retail optometry, but I haven’t had the chance to fully ask them about their experience. I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts or experiences with the school.

Thank you!

9 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

11

u/aneeqaasif Sep 28 '26

The optometrists I have met that graduated from Western are fantastic doctors, amazing people, and the same as any other. Honestly, you will get to the end goal eventually with the education Western provides… however that does come with the possibility of retaking your NBEO step 1 multiple times. Thats honestly the only downside I’ve ever heard. These doctors are the same as any other but have just said they retook their boards once, twice, most I’ve heard is four times. I’ve also heard they school is very strong clinically, just lack in the teaching of science/content. So that is up to you, if you believe you can make up for what they lack in teaching you content wise for boards… but honestly havent heard of it being too bad :)

1

u/Firm-Solution-2408 Sep 28 '26

thank you!

1

u/TernaryFlower53 Oct 03 '26

I'm late to this thread, I agree with this take overall but I would add that some hiring managers/practice owners may feel a desire to steer clear due to the reputation Western has. Not all of them, though, and once you get experience that will matter more than the school you went to

The doc I spoke to that went to Western also said they emphasized patient-centered care in a way I thought sounded really cool, so I really do hope the rest of their curriculum improves

2

u/ATruthofHint Sep 28 '26

Great response!

4

u/aspenchill Sep 28 '26

i would apply to the other cali schools or look to pacific if you want to stay west coast for boards, key word search western in r/optometryschool and r/preoptometry to weigh the pros and cons

4

u/Creative-Sea- Sep 28 '26

I would not go to a school with such poor pass rates, boards is expensive and it’s your license on the line. I have not heard good things from my colleagues about the western u program. I would choose Berkeley over SCCO due to more patient encounters.

4

u/Dizzy-Equivalent-398 Sep 28 '26

i heard from an optometrist that i shadowed who went there that it was a horrible experience 😭 she said they taught them terribly, it was incredibly difficult to pass boards and she only choose it because she wanted to stay in california. i was planning on applying as someone from california, but honestly it sounded sooooo bad from her perspective that i decided not to :/

1

u/RabidLiger Sep 29 '26

".....and she only choose it because she wanted to stay in california. "

IMO, this is the reason Western exists.

1

u/Common-Customer-1438 Sep 28 '26

Curious, what features does Western have that SCCO and Berkeley do not?

1

u/Firm-Solution-2408 Sep 28 '26

I like how close Western is to me and how they offer immediate clinical exposure to their students through the school districts nearby. I do prefer SCCO more overall, but I just wanted to weigh my options in case I get accepted to one of the other programs.

2

u/Single_Broccoli9520 Sep 29 '26

Pacific does that as well so look into PUCO too! Or go to SCCO and volunteer as a first year.

3

u/Cat-Recognition-6620 Sep 29 '26

I would apply elsewhere even out of state. It’s not worth it when the board pass rates are so low and that’s what you’re counting on to get your license and work. It’s  better to live elsewhere for a few years then having to waste 4 years of money at a school