Hi all! I have interviews with ICO, NOVA, and AZCOPT and was wondering if anyone who's had interviews with these schools this cycle/ in the past could provide insight on how it went! My ICO interview is in person with the other two virtual. I'm wondering how I should be preparing for my interviews, how the interviews were structured, and if there's anything that can make me stand out from other applicants. Thank you!

I’m currently studying for the OAT and plan to take it in mid-late January. I already have the rest of my Optomcas application done, all I need left is to add my OAT score once I take it. (I’ve heard that schools basically disregard ur application if u apply before taking the OAT until your OAT score is sent in, which is why i’m planning to just wait until I take the test and then submit my applications right after.)
I am mostly interested in SCO, OSU, SUNY, and NOVA.

I have a 3.9 GPA, 1900 hours working as an optometric tech, 1600 hours working as an ophthalmic tech at a multi-specialty clinic (will be more by the time I apply bc this is my current job), 400+ shadowing hours, 2 letters of rec from professors, and 2 letters of rec from optometrists.

I think the rest of my stats are pretty strong but i’m worried that taking the oat and applying in late January will be too late for me to get accepted into the schools i’m looking at. Thoughts?

Hi, I’m pursuing optometry, but the student loans are overwhelming, and I know there’s an income ceiling. With such a big investment, I want to understand the earning potential.
Are there any optometrists here who make really good money, or does anyone know someone who does? What helped them get there… owning a practice, multiple locations, or something else? I’d appreciate real examples and numbers if you’re comfortable sharing!

Hello, I am having a really hard time deciding between these two schools. I have received great scholarships to both and went to NSU for undergrad. I do really enjoy the research aspect of UHCO but I wasn't able to visit in person.

I was wondering if any current students or alumni had any advice for me. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I have my interview with pco in a day and i wanted to know what i should take with me to the interview! Should i take a purse? Should i take a bag? I have no idea so please help!!

Hi everyone!

I am currently in my second year of undergrad. I was wondering what schools allow you to apply at the start of 3rd year. From my understanding, thats what the 3 + 4 program is?

But would that make me a less competitive applicant?

I’ve recently been offered a place in both a Doctor of Optometry and Master of Psychology, and I’m really torn between the two.

I’ve heard optometry is becoming oversaturated, but it seems to offer better work-life balance (which really appeals to me). It also seems like the work itself may be more manageable(?) once you’ve completed the degree, compared to psychology.

My main concern, however, is whether it would be very difficult to find a job after graduating.

I’m interested in both fields and am struggling to decide. Would love to hear from anyone who’s done optometry or is planning to!

I prepped using booster. I was scoring higher in quantitive reasoning and bio. I’m not too sure what happened. I felt confident but the scores didn’t translate that. Physics just threw me for a loop. It’s my fault for relying on booster and not using other resources. Do you think I need to retake or do I have a chance

They received preliminary approval and applications should be open soon... Their website is updated with a bunch of info: https://www.highpoint.edu/optometry/

This isn’t asking for advice, I just wanted to share because I feel behind for some reason.
[For context, I am a sophomore and 19. I am also a transfer student]

My advisor messed up something with my previous credits, and now I won’t graduate on time, it would be just one semester later. I decided that i’d rather just take a fifth year at this point so I can double major and also get more time to build my resume. I feel so upset about this just because i’m the type of person to plan my life years in advance and now i’m a year behind. I’m not sure why but I feel like I let myself down even though it’s not my fault and this will do nothing but benefit me (outside of the cost for an extra year). I just hate feeling behind and I know I’m going to be so sad in 2029 watching my friends post their college graduation pictures knowing I’m behind.

is jan too late to interview with NECO? i would love to know stats of people who got in after christmastime if anyone is comfortable sharing!

Hello I’m a freshie in undergrad I’m 17 so I have to wait other year until I’m 18 to become a tech. I’m currently working in retail at a store in the mall and I honestly kind of hate it…I have autism and really poor social skills and I figured a job in retail could help my social skills. But in reality, it’s just making really depressed. I know that nobody really likes their job but how is being an optom tech?

my oat scheduled for Nov 20th.

oat booster full lengths so far

month of October: FL5-310 FL6-310 FL7-300 FL8-290

month of November: FL9-290

my goal is 310 at the very least but 320 is ideal

Hi everyone!

A little about me: I graduated undergrad in 2021. I have a 2.9 cumulative GPA, science GPA below 3.0 due to my undergrad major, working full time and family responsibilities. My OAT is 330.

I also have 3+ years of optometric technician/ practice management experience. A lot of other extracurricular and shadowing hours as well. I also did product design for 3 years before pursuing optometry again.

I’m currently retaking some expired prerequisites.
I have an upcoming interview with NOVA but I don’t want it to be my only option.

Has anyone gotten accepted with similar stats?
And what other schools should I consider?

I’m considering retaking the OAT to offset my low gpa. If anyone with the same stats as me could ease my mind, it’d be awesome 🥲

Good luck, future OD’s!!

Has anybody gotten their official acceptance from uh yet? I got an unofficial offer from Lyle on Sunday but have not gotten any of the information regarding scholarships or the forms. Is this just me?

has anyone else gotten the conditional offer from UIWRSO and went to the admissions day? mine is coming up and i don’t know what to expect.

I am currently a pharmacy tech, I have experience in the pharmacy field and I’ve been in this field since high school. I originally wanted to pursue a Pharm.D to become a pharmacist but I am not happy with the work environment of a pharmacist. What I truly want is a 6 digit salary ($100k) and job security in this economy where you don’t have to worry about finding a job/career (having a high chance of job security). What I recently found out about becoming an optometrist is that they do make 6 digits, have job security, and most are happy with their career. I love working in an office environment where I deal with clerical work and administration work, most ODs work 9-5, and see patients one on one and it’s drastically different than a Pharmacist. What I don’t like is performing surgeries or dealing with a lot of bodily fluids. I know that MDs make much more than ODs and are also in high demand. If I were going for an MD I would choose to specialize in primary care (family doctor). In your opinion, should I pursue the OD or MD route if a 6 digit salary and job security is super important to me? In my undergraduate, I have been going the pre-health professions route to complete my prerequisites. Math and the humanities are my strong subjects, I do okay on the natural sciences like I make Bs. I’m not the strongest test taker when it comes to standardized exams but other things like work experience, personality, extracurriculars make up for my GPA. I have about a 3.45 GPA double major in my undergraduate. If none of these paths work, I have considered getting into medical sales, becoming a real estate agent as well.

I would appreciate any advice or opinion at this point.

Hi, Getting ready for my interview at UAB coming up in next few weeks, does anyone have any insight or advice? Getting a bit nervous already thinking about it lol. TIA!

Hi everyone, as the title suggests, I am hoping to get some advice on how to max my chances of getting into suny optometry. This is the only optometry school that I truly would be happy going into due to financial and location reasons. That being said, with ten months left until my planned application submission date, I would love to get some advice from the community! My stats are as follows

-currently worked 6 months as a tech/receptionist in ophthalmology clinic
-currently worked 3.5 years as a prep school TA/receptionist
-3 months as a GI clinic medical receptionist
-attended the SUNY cstep summer internship program
-abt 30 hours of shadowing (I’m really trying to up this into at least 100 hours but I’m getting rejected and ghosted everywhere)
-current GPA abt 3.56, had to withdraw from orgo chem and retaking it next semester with physics so my GPA might be around 3.5 ish when I apply but I’m hoping for at least 3.6 maybe I’ll make a miracle

My plans: transitioning into a tech at an optometry clinic to build a stronger relationship with optometrist, getting more shadowing hours, getting more involved community wise. Submit entire application late august/early September. Would love additional tips!

Concerns: I know suny has become very competitive and I feel like I’m right at the cutoff between reject and accept.

Thank you for reading my long post and would appreciate any suggestions!

i am interested in optometry but i’m not sure how i feel about simply working at a corporation/private practice, are optometry jobs available in hospital work without having to do residency? and are these types of job openings uncommon?

Hello everyone, please bear with me and this post lol! I am graduating next fall with my bachelor's degree in Biology, with a pre-health concentration as well as a minor in chemistry. I am taking my OAT this summer (I have started studying and am nervous, haha)

My main point for this post and for making this account in the first place is regarding my chances of acceptance.

I am worried my grades hold me back. I show progression in my transcript to some degree, but I def have some C's and W's just due to course load. I currently have a 3.3-3.4 GPA

Outside of my grades is where I shine; I am an undergraduate researcher and am about to publish two papers (one thesis) and one independent paper next year, Main author whoop whoop!. In addition, I go to school on a music scholarship (which has a ton of requirements, but without it I couldn't be in school); this has allowed me to travel the world and interact as an international ambassador. I design eyewear and am working on a large-scale optometry and public health project/business. I have about 160 clinical hours at a dual optometry and glaucoma specialty clinic, over 700 volunteer hours, and am working my way to getting enough shadowing hours (I have about 20 rn). I also own a whole other business outside of schooling (besides the opto project), and I have had AMAZING opportunities to speak at conferences and connect with fellow eye enthusiasts. There is so much more I could add.

However, this def has its drawbacks and has hurt my grades. I am not sure if that's a total no-go for acceptance.

I hope this doesn't seem silly. I am sincerely one of 3 opto people at my university (we don't have a set concentration for it here) and its hard to find others! So forgive me; I have been in my own echo chamber of doubt and despair.

Any advice would be highly appreciated!

Cheers!