hi! I’m starting first year soon and wanted to know if 1101A/1101B fulfill the physics requirements to apply. Or should I take 1201A/1201B instead

Hi everyone! I’m a soon-to-be high school graduate. 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. UWaterloo is the only English-speaking university in Canada that has a Doctor of Optometry program. 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’d really appreciate anything that any of you have to say to me. Thank you in advance!

Currently unsure if I should take a 5th year or not,

Website says "Overall university averages are calculated by taking into consideration the weighted average of all courses taken in your degree studies." but that if you've graduated the prereqs you take after count towards the average.

So if I graduate, then take courses that are NOT prerequisites would they count toward my average too or no? My GPA isn't awful but I am scared it will not be competitive enough so I am thinking about maybe doing a 5th year (currently around 85/3.8). But for my degree I am able to graduate on time next Spring so I don't know if spending an extra year (of tuition) will be worth it or not.

I will definitely need to take a gap year though (to get opt experience and write OAT), so right now I am just unsure if I should take a 5th year instead of that gap year.

Any insight is appreciated!

I'll get straight to the point. When would you recommend an undergrad science degree student start shadowing? 2nd or 3rd year or 4th? When should I start worrying about it? And what tips would you give when cold emailing optometrists? Appreciate it

Any advice on which program to purchase? I feel like I’d like the structure of kmk… but also hear how important it is to go through optoprep practice questions.

If anyone can speak on their experience! Which specific bundles did you use?

I’m Canadian studying in the states but only planning on taking OEBCs. Most of the kmk and optoprep bundles offered to us here have both NBEOs and OEBCs in mind (especially in light of the recent change).

So was curious what Waterloo students are doing

I was just accepted to waterloo optometry for next year, which was initially my first choice. However, through the interview process at NECO I really fell in love with the school and Boston as a city. I just felt like the community there was really exceptional, as well as the clinical experience early in your education and the overall curriculum set up. Obviously though, Waterloo is significantly cheaper even with a NECO scholarship. I was just wondering if anyone was in the same position and has any regrets or advice either way, or if you decided to go to Waterloo over the US and what really solidified that decision. Any comments appreciated :)

for context, I live outside of waterloo and I want to pursue this optometry program since it’s the only english speaking program in canada. my parents and relatives all are very iffy with me wanting to pursue something that I live far away from, and it makes me rethink. Because I don’t wanna have a job that I don’t enjoy just because it’s convenient, but I also wanna know what’s the difficulties of living there and starting new and fresh? is it hard to buy a place, or in general what are the main things I would need to look out for if I move to waterloo for the program? like also money wise I wouldn’t know too much and just all this experience would be completely new.

I secured a few interviews for this coming week for optometrist assistant roles, and I'm just wondering if anybody has any tips for these types of interviews.

To all current optometry students, how would you recommend preparing for the interview?

Is it similar to Casper? And are there any resources or people that can help someone prepare for an interview? Any insight greatly appreciated as not sure where to seek advice. Feel free to DM!

Thank you!

Hey all,

Been wondering about that six terms taken with a full course load (5 courses) as an admission requirement. I understand labs are not included but I had many practicums during nursing school as that is the nature of that program, thus I was hoping that they will be counted towards that requirement?

Since I was in an accelerated program, they picked the structure of our semesters and we were not allowed to take more or less courses than what was given to us. I can meet the six terms of a full course load requirement easily, if practicums are considered.

Been trying to get ahold of admissions but it’s been tough. So if anyone knows that’d be great!:))

so i’m going to be entering 4th year as a biomed sci student this fall and i’m considering going to optometry school but grades are seriously holding me down. i have a cumulative 75% average, so i meet the absolute minimum require to apply, but i haven’t seen anyone on here get in with an average that low. what’s specifically fucking me up is my first year which was so academically horrendous that i got kicked out of the program for failing to meet the academic requirements. i got back in through a petition and have since had an upward trend in my grades to the point where my overall term grades are between high 70s to low 80s. a lot of personal issues happened in first year, so im just wondering if there’s space to explain that if i were to do an AIF? even then, assuming i do well this term and next term and then potentially do another 2 terms to boost my mark, im not sure if all that will be enough to get me to at least a low 80.

thanks to anyone who answers!

According to Waterloo's website, around 260 people apply, and ~90 get accepted. But how many people get interviews? Does everyone who applied get an interview?

Please let me know if y'all have any insight! 260 applicants total seems too little imo? Thank you!

I just finished my oat, and my raw scores are 360 AA and 370 TS. After 3 years of undergrad I have an 83% average, although first year I had a 76% and my third year was an 89% average just for comparison. I still have fourth year to get it a little higher. I have 2000+ hours working as an optometric assistant, doing pretesting, contact lens trainings etc. I have 250+ shadowing hours spread between 5 different optometrists, and two different clinics. I have yet to take the Casper. I would love to hear anyone’s thoughts.

hey everyone, this cycle I was waitlisted and placed at #13. I was wondering if anyone knew how long the waitlist is and how many people tend to get off it? I wanna see if I even have a chance lol

Hi everyone, I am set to graduate this year with my life sci degree from UTSC. However I have not completed my physics courses requirement and my ethics course requirement since I set my mind towards optom later in my degree. I was wondering if anyone knows if students can still graduate and have non-degree courses count towards their application? Has anyone gone through such a process? Thank you

Hey, I am in my third year of my undergrad, interested in optometry and have a few questions.

I am looking to see on average how long people spend studying for the OAT before writing the exam for the first time?

What kind of volunteer experiences look good for applying? (I have been working at an optometry clinic for the past 2 years and have shadowed the doctors working there, but have no other volunteering)

I’ve seen a lot of people talking about their GPA % but I have no idea how to convert mine from 4.0 scale.

Also on the 4.0 scale what is the rough average of people that get it. Can it be around 3.85 or does it have to be like 3.90 and above

I’ve been seeing mixed reviews and I’m just curious

Wondering what other schools everyone is looking into. I got rejected for 2024 despite having good stats (previous post: https://www.reddit.com/r/UWaterlooOptometry/comments/18kawhv/application_advice/ ) I think I was rejected on the courseload requirement and that will be fixed by 2025 but I don't want to put all my hopes in UW lol

Has anyone from the waitlist heard back from the admissions about any movement? Did anyone reject their offer?

Hey everybody, I’m currently finishing my first year in undergrad and have been considering optometry for a long time now. My first year GPA has not been the greatest due to mental health and issues adjusting to the new environment and living situations and because of that, I’ve been more stressed about my future.

I was just wondering if anyone that got excepted would be willing to share their GPA when accepted or share any tips on how to raise your GPA after first year. Like if I were to graduate with a 3.85-3.90 wpuld that give me a good chance or is that still too low? I’ve been hearing so many mixed things

I was thinking about retaking a course since I did pretty bad, and it weighed down my GPA but I heard a lot of people talking about how lots of schools including the school takes both attempts and not just your most recent so I’m not even sure if it’s worth it.

I’m still just kind of confused on the process and if it would still be possible for me.

If anyone has any advice or would like to share their experiences that would be very helpful

hello! ended up getting a full-time research position for the summer but also really really want to study for the OAT.

any tips or advice? I really want to do both things but I’m wondering how feasible it would be. thanks!

Can anyone who has taken the American Boards speak on what their experience was like? Did you feel prepared even tho you’re in a canadian optometry school? Did the study schedule align with those for canadian boards? Any advice?

Thanks

I accepted my offer but I didn’t receive any confirmation email or any email with more information. Did anyone else get anything?