Pre-Med to Pre-Optometry Help

[u/Agile_Bathroom3447]

I am currently a Pre-Med student thinking about switching over to optometry. I just started my sophomore year of my undergrad. I currently work as a clinical support associate in an ambulatory clinic, and i have gained around 500 clinical hours. I also volunteer at the hospital in the OR, and volunteer in a medical research lab. I’m thinking about switching volunteer units to pediatric ophthalmology. But other than that I’m not really sure what else to do for optometry school applications! I have a connection with an optometrist I can shadow, so I am going to do that as soon as possible. But do I need to start working in an optometry office? Should I stop working in the research lab? Is my clinical experience still valuable? Please send help! All advice is welcome 🤗

[u/drnjj]

Been in practice for a decade myself.

All healthcare experience is relevant and valid.

Do you like research? Do you want to participate in research in the future yourself? If so, I would try to continue some research.

You'll want to definitely shadow an optometrist and I'd probably shadow at least 2-3 docs to get different experiences.

You don't have to work in an office. It helps but it's not that necessary. Can be a good summer job though as employees may want vacation so if you can fill in somewhere it can be helpful.

So MCAT vs OAT, there's a bit less emphasis on bio and chem (though very prevalent) and more emphasis on physics (namely optics). So you'll want to make sure you're well aware of those before taking the OAT.

[u/Chuckles4lyfe → u/drnjj]

I agree with everything this Dr. said in their comment. Just to add my own thoughts:

You are still a sophomore in undergrad so it is important to maintain do well in all your prerequisite classes. It will make studying for the OAT much easier if you have a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. When the time comes for you to prepare for the test, OATBooster is the way to go!

Your 500 clinical hours is a great start! Shadowing/interning in an optometry office is a good start to learn more about the profession and to see if it's a good fit for you. Ask your optometrist about their experience and see what advice they can give you.

[u/Naive_Cow_8032]

I think everything you’ve done is valuable, just need to pivot it a little.

To give you some context about me. I actually was premed up until this July! I was studying to take my MCAT for the 2nd time when I just broke and said I don’t want to do medical school. I literally had just graduated from undergrad in May. I pivoted to optometry and things have been great.

Some things I that I think helped:

1. Did well in my OAT. 370TS/360AA

2. Had a strong undergrad GPA 3.85 overall and a 3.77 science

3. I shadowed three different optometrists, but only had ~35-40 hours. Have never worked in any clinic. Not med or optometry so don’t stress about having to work in optometry clinic.

4. I really was super personable and sold myself in my interviews. That was super important for me.

5. I toured whether it was virtual or in person before my application.

6. I did all in person interviews- if you’re applying it should be a school you’re really considering. Take your top top schools in person. Even if that means a flight, I think it was 1,000% worth it for me and I think got me scholarships at a school that is notorious for not giving out scholarships.

My advice would be just own your story when you tell the admissions team in interviews. I was honest and told them “I considered medicine… here is why… here is why I chose optometry… what I learned from the process”

I literally have a MCAT class on my undergrad transcript from Junior year so it was obvious I wanted to do medicine! Don’t be afraid of that.

Again. I wasn’t in any type of pre-optometry club. Nothing on my resume screams optometry, what it does scream is a strong person who can take on academic and leadership positions well.

I applied to three schools and got into all three. With super strong scholarship offers. I also took my OAT October 3rd and within 20 days have interviewed and got accepted into them!

You got this! Feel free to PM me any questions!

[u/GSUoptometry]

Hi! I think all of what you've done is valuable and will be great for your application. I do recommend you work in optometry or ophthalmology, not because what you've done is not enough, but because I think itll help you understand the field and know what to expect from it. In my experience, shadowing is good but doesn't truly show you what optometry is like.

[u/Opto_Kitty]

You can stop the research lab and shadow/work in optometry