I have already started shadowing. But I'm not sure how long I should do it for. I was thinking 15 hours at one optometrist's office then maybe another 15 at another?

Originally Posted by Sel_s

I have already started shadowing. But I'm not sure how long I should do it for. I was thinking 15 hours at one optometrist's office then maybe another 15 at another?

That sounds good. If you aren't doing anything (no work, school, volunteering, etc...) then you might as well shadow as much as you can. I mean, if optometry is something you really want to get into then it shouldn't be a problem to log a lot of hours. I suggest shadowing at least 1 place for a long time (There's no problem with shadowing more than 1 place at the same time). Get to know the optometrist very well and you can ask if they need any help around the office. I've had a chance to use the diagnostic machines to measure refractions, pressure, field of vision, etc... I think it's also good to know the both sides of optometry, the exams as well as what the receptionists do.

It's up to you though, personally I'm very interested in optometry. I've probably logged over 150-200 hours of shadowing already Lol. Definitively an "overkill" but talking to patients is interesting (although I only have the opportunity to talk to them if the optometrist has to leave the room, otherwise the optometrist is pretty much always talking to them). It's also interesting when people come in for reasons other than an eye exam.

jhan, i assume you've answered a lot of questions on optometry.

Is there perhaps a thread where you posted a lot of information so i can read it over?

Cheers.

Originally Posted by tylerearl

jhan, i assume you've answered a lot of questions on optometry.

Is there perhaps a thread where you posted a lot of information so i can read it over?

Cheers.

Um, I know I answered a few questions before. If you search up optometry in the search box you might find a couple threads. Otherwise you can just ask questions here and I'll answer them as best I can.

I was thinking of doing more hours for sure, it's been really interesting so far.

This doesn't really have anything to do with anything but holy crap they make you jump through a lot of hoops to go into optometry...and I thought med school was bad.

Originally Posted by neila.b

This doesn't really have anything to do with anything but holy crap they make you jump through a lot of hoops to go into optometry...and I thought med school was bad.

I believe the general requirements are the same for med schools in the States (Full year bio, physics, chem and orgo). I think it's only Canada that has super lenient prerequisites.

do US optemetry schools look at your first year?

Originally Posted by luna

do US optemetry schools look at your first year?

Yes, all optometry schools including waterloo look at all your years. The US is even more thorough, they look at individual subjects, so they'll look at your average for English courses, then you average for Physics courses, etc... You require a C in every prerequisite as well.

I'm pursuing optometry as well, is eng 1aa3 and 1a03 of equal course load? and also if i write my oat next summer and apply in my fourth year, can i still take some of the pre-reqs in fourth year?

Originally Posted by nadia1

I'm pursuing optometry as well, is eng 1aa3 and 1a03 of equal course load? and also if i write my oat next summer and apply in my fourth year, can i still take some of the pre-reqs in fourth year?

I would say 1AA3 is slightly heavier than 1A03 mostly because of the readings. But the format should be the same, 2 essays, 1 small presentation and 1 exam. Except when I took 1AA3, we didn't have an essay in our exam.

Yeah, you can definitively do that. You don't have to complete your prerequisites before applying, as long as you have them done before optometry school starts.

Do you need to have the pre-req courses completed before you apply or can they be still be taken during application?

Originally Posted by AnthraX

Do you need to have the pre-req courses completed before you apply or can they be still be taken during application?

Seriously? Look above your post >.>

hey.. do you know if there is a pre-optometry club at mac?

Originally Posted by The MACster

hey.. do you know if there is a pre-optometry club at mac?

Nope, personally I don't even know what they would do...