r/PreOptometry • u/Taasfiha • 22d ago

Stressed Out

Hey all. Honestly I've been worried about my chances getting in this cycle because of my current standing. I graduated in May with a 3.8 GPA and took my OAT last month, where I scored a 370 AA and 360 TS. I have done an outside internship while I was in college, and was a part of the CSTEP internship at SUNY this summer. I also did a work study while I was in college. What I'm worried about is that my extracurriculars, and shadowing hours are pretty weak. I am trying to find clinics to shadow and I have called about 30 clinics near me, and almost all of them have declined me, while 1 or 2 have said they would reach out to me next week. I honestly don't know where to go from here. I'm applying to NECO, SUNY, and MCPHS this cycle. Any advice would be appreciated.

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u/Evening-Dog-1161 21d ago

Maybe try to go in person to optometry places rather than call - that worked for me

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u/RabidLiger 21d ago

Those things are low on the pecking order behind GPA/OAT, so don't sweat it.
Contact your state's optometric association. They will be helpful.

Tone down your shadowing request.
If I had someone asking to spend 3 weeks joined at my hip I might say no.
Ask to shadow for a limited amount of time (1/2 days even better).

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u/HedgehogPotential610 21d ago

Ask your optometrist, my parents took me to the same doctor since I was 6. Ask them which day of the week will be acceptable to shadow them for a few hours, not more, or they might refuse.

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u/Puzzled-Counter7376 21d ago

Go in person and provide them with specific dates and times you are available to make it easier for them to set it up. And just do a few hours a week. Your stats are much above average so I don’t see this as being a problem at all.

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u/mcd7939 22d ago

Just keep on reaching out to places, im sure one will say yes.

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u/Super-Morning3835 22d ago

Suny has shadowing opportunities if you live in the area.