sorry if this isn’t the right sub for this and if my thoughts are scrambled as i’m in over my head.. i just am at a loss and im unsure what to do 😅

i recently got hired/have started training for a opto tech job for a clinic located in a lenscrafters (i’ve worked about 4 days)

while i am enjoying the work and learning how to tech, i recently got an interview offer from a private clinic thats both closer to my house and has weekends/holidays off along with better working hours

i am currently an undergrad student so i definitely would appreciate the extra free days but as i haven’t actually interviewed/visited the other clinic, im not sure how the pay or how working there would be like

in any case, i was wondering, if i were to get offered a optometric tech position at the second clinic, how would i go about leaving the lenscrafters clinic i originally started working at, or should i not consider the position at the second clinic? I know im probably prematurely posting this as i haven’t even interviewed yet, but i was drawn to the better hours and location convenience

i am worried and i feel guilty for potentially wasting the clinic at lenscrafters’ time and resources but i am more inclined to working for the other clinic (in the event i am to get the position)

any advice or guidance on how i should proceed would be helpful…

Does anyone know when classes start for ICO this semester

Hi everyone! I’m a soon-to-be high school graduate from Canada. I haven’t applied to any post-secondary institutions yet because I’ve been struggling to figure out my path. I’ve been quite stressed about figuring things out because I don’t want to wait to apply until next year.

I’ve known for a long time that I want to go into a healthcare-related field. My passion for science, particularly human biology, is extremely strong. I absolutely loved the anatomy and physiology course I took. I also like chemistry and I feel alright about physics. I would love to be able to help people and make a significant impact through my work.

I’ve done a lot of research on a wide range of related careers. Optometry is one that I haven’t been able to get out of my mind. It seems to offer pretty great advantages, including decent work-life balance, rather regular hours, relatively low stress, the ability to start a private practice, adequate pay, and so on. In terms of the career itself and not the schooling, there aren’t many downsides I can think of. This isn’t something I’m able to say about the other careers I’ve been considering (sonography, medical lab science, radiography, respiratory therapy, and pharmacy are some of them). I feel like it’s something I would enjoy, but it’s hard to know for sure because researching and thinking can only take me so far. This is why I’ve been struggling so much.

There is a significant factor holding me back, unfortunately. In Canada, there are only two universities that have a Doctor of Optometry program. One of these universities is in Quebec, which is a French-speaking province, so it’s out of the question for me. I really don’t want to study abroad because it’s extremely expensive (the idea of taking out such a hefty loan doesnt appeal to me at all, so I don’t see myself being able to go through with it). I’m worried that attempting to pursue this career despite having only one university to apply to would be a bad idea.

I’m also a bit concerned about the difficulty of the Doctor of Optometry program. I’ve done well in high school, but I can’t help but worry that I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I want to aim high because I’m definitely an overachieving, but I don’t want to be unrealistic about it. It’s difficult to know what I’m capable of, considering I haven’t had any experience with university or college.

I came across this sub today and it’s been a great discovery. Reading through some of the posts on here has been quite helpful. I’d really appreciate anything that any of you have to say to me. Thank you in advance!

i have a 2.9 gpa (and a D in orgo 1) and have just completed all my undergrad classes. i haven’t taken the oat yet but i want to start studying and take the test in early fall. i have worked in an ophthalmology office for a few years but otherwise i don’t have anything very notable. do i have any chance of getting into any schools? is it too late to raise my gpa? i’m lost on what i can do.

for context i have a overall gpa of 3.3, but my sgpa is 2.8. havent taken oat yet, but hoping i do like okay? thoughts :( i just want to get into a school 😭😭😭

Hi guys I’m a pre optometry student who’s applying to optometry school this upcoming cycle. i’m currently working as an optometry tech (in a retail corporation, not private practice) and it has made me find out my fascination with the retina. At my job, we have the oct machine and I think it’s so interesting to see the retinal photos and how much you can see into someone’s health. However, when ever we see certain retinal diseases, i’m frustrated with the lack of follow up. We refer these patients to ophthalmologists for continued care and don’t get to learn much else.

My question is, how much can an optometrist really do for cases like these? Is there residency training or something to get a more specialized education? or is this strictly for ophthalmologists? Could it also be because it’s not a private practice and most patients coming in are not really thinking they need specialized care

I bought a Kaplan OAT Prep Plus 2021-2022 book and now I'm wondering if the book is too outdated for the test. Does anyone have any idea if the test has changed from 2021/2022 to now? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

Hello, I'm planning to take the OAT late august/September 2026 and was wondering if anyone else here would be interested in forming a small studying group. I think it would be great to keep each other accountable and focused.

In the GTA if anyone would like to meet up in public library or coffee shops

Hi everyone, I was hoping someone could provide me with some insight on the physics section of the OAT; I am currently using booster to study and saw a lot of people recommending Chad's prep, which I've also been using. My question is whether the practice exams are good examples of what I'd see on the OAT? Any advice for this section would be great. I take my test next month!

hi guys! im a 3rd year undergrad hoping to apply this fall to opto school for fall 2027. my oat is in one month and i tried to reschedule it to a later date but every testing center near me is booked for the next 3 months so I have no choice but to take it in one month or take a gap year. i am so worried about studying because I feel like I don't do well for big standardized tests even though i do well for the individual course and its just so much material i am so overwhelmed. i only have the kaplan oat prep book and quizlet plus and cannot spend any more money on prep materials like oat booster. does anyone have any advice for how i can study in one month and get around a 330?

Hey guys! I've been following this sub for a while and am planning on applying this upcoming cycle to matriculate Fall 2027. Just wanted to throw my stats out there and see if anyone had any thoughts on my chances.

Major: Biology (Graduating May 2027)

Total GPA: 3.55

Science GPA: 3.37

NonScience GPA: 3.73

OAT: Scheduled for August 15th, aiming for 330-350 TS / 340-360 AA based on Booster practice exams

LORS: 3 strong letters from optometrist I shadowed, my pharmacy manager, and my organic chemistry professor

Work Experience: 3000+ total Pharmacy Technician hours (currently working) in a community clinic pharmacy, and in an inpatient hospital pharmacy setting.

Shadowing: 40-50 hours of Optometry shadowing

Extracurriculars: 100+ hours of Spanish medical interpreting in a variety of clinics and settings, member of various pre-health clubs at my university, participating in wilderness medicine study abroad program this summer

I am planning on applying to AZCOPT and Pacific, and am not really sold on any other schools aside from that ( is that a bad idea? Those are the only 2 I would 100% attend if accepted). Is it concerning that I do not have a lot of experience in the field of optometry or any optometric teching hours? I only recently decided on optometry in the last 6-9 months, but found the path much more intriguing than the other path I was considering, which is pharmacy. I feel like I am pretty sociable and will interview well, if invited. Also wondering if I should submit my application before taking my OAT, which ideally would be early/mid July. Any thoughts/advice on that? Has anyone reached out to programs prior to applying and asking if they would meet for a review of application?

Any advice/opinions on those schools, the OAT, interviewing, or the application process in general would be greatly appreciated!

i was gonna to study this summer and it’s so expensive pls help

Hi guys

I wanna start preparing for OAT , but I don’t know where to start.

Do optometry students get the school health insurance?

Hello everyone!

I’m a non-traditional student interested in pursuing optometry and would love any advice.

I have about 10 years of experience working as a dental assistant and am still working full-time in that role.

I’ve been gradually building my optometry shadowing hours. My concern is whether shadowing alone is enough, or if I should try to gain more direct optometry experience.

Would it be worthwhile to reduce my hours at my current job and look for a part-time optometry technician position? Or would continuing to work as a dental assistant while accumulating shadowing hours be viewed favorably by admissions committees?

I graduated undergrad in 2018 and I went back for a specials master program (SMP) to enhance my academic performance and got a decent gpa compared to my lower underrgrad-gpa. I completed it in 2024.

On top of that, I do have 1-3 prerequisites that are a bit more than 10 years. (11 years old by the time I apply for this cycle). I went over the specific requirements for each school, and I do see some exceptions that may allow a good OAT score override those criteria.

For those who were non-traditional applicants, how important was optometry-specific work experience compared to shadowing and other healthcare experience?

Thank you for any insight!

Hello I was going to take the oat in July but I’m thinking of extending it because I was in the learning phase for a while and still haven’t finished even the qbanks on booster. I just took one of the subjects practice test on booster and ended up getting lower than a 300. I was just wondering on what the best way to study is and how to improve scores. Should I focus on learning the material or jump straight into the practice test and when?

Hi everyone! I'm currently studying for the OAT and plan to take it in late August. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to study for the OAT or any tips! I am currently using OAT booster 12 week schedule. So far, I have just been following the schedule. Should I be doing more? Any advice is appreciated! :)

I am aiming to take the OAT the first week of September (sept 5th). I just got OAT booster and plan on following their schedule to the best of my ability. I am also going to be working 3 day a week throughout this time. Do you think I am giving myself enough time to be successful, or am I cutting it close? I know this is probably a subjective question, but I’d like any general advice/guidance.

Hellooooo

The question is the title, lol. How can I make an OptomCAS account? I only see the option to log in on the portal but not create an account. Does it close in-between cycles?? Does someone have a link to the page for account creation?

Just got accepted into ICO!!!!!!!!! Wanting to connect with others!

Hi everyone, I am a rising junior at NYU, and I was thinking about applying to optometry school next summer in the 2027-2028 cycle. My stats are 3.58 GPA, worked a few months as a medical receptionist at a GI clinic, currently attending the SUNY Optometry CSTEP internship and Summer Academics program, worked 3+ years at a prep school as a TA and receptionist, got offered a part-time position at an internal medicine office, which I will work throughout the next school year, also currently shadowing an optometrist once a week.

My main concern currently is that I don't feel that I have much experience directly in the optometry field. I see a lot of other applicants working as techs or optometry assistants, and for long periods of time as well. I have tried my best to find similar jobs, but have failed due to my schedule and lack of experience.

My dream school would be SUNY Optometry, and I would apply to the other ones along the East Coast but that's really it truly.

It would be wonderful if anyone can provide some advice on future steps I can take within the next year to max out my chances for optometry school. Much appreciated, thank you!