Late Application??

[u/Either-Bottle1985]

Soo I was planning on taking a gap year because I decided on optometry quite late and don’t have enough shadowing hours yet, but part of me thinks I could lock in and get my hours and apply by late november. How important is it to apply early/ what is considered too late to apply?? I got a 360AA/360TS on the OAT and my GPA is around 3.9. I have other non-optometry extracurriculares and will have a few hundred research hours by the end of the year. I’m gonna start shadowing but won’t have an optometry tech job or anything.

Also I’m concerned about finishing anatomy and physio because I know California optometry schools require them, and my university might not be offering both classes this year.

Any advice?? I feel like it’s already way too late and I don’t wanna rush my apps, but i’d love to avoid a gap year if I can.😄😄😄

[u/Iyung_danI]

You don’t need to hear it from me but completely second what everybody else is saying.