[f_r_E_a_K]

Hello all! Are there any Soompiers out there that are going to university to become an optometrist (or are already finished w/college and are in optometry school??!)...? It's a bit of a smaller major, but I'm interested in the eye, practicing safe eye care procedures and helping people out by improving their vision! But the steps to become one are a bit hazy...

Do you HAVE to complete a 4 year's bachelor in Pre-Optometry? Because according to PrincetonReview.com, there are only 6 schools in the nation that offer that undergraduate major @___@;; So what could you study in college that would prepare you for that mandatory Optometry Admissions Test that you're supposed to take your 2nd or 3rd year in university? Would a biology major (and other similar majors in science) suffice?

And to those who aren't familiar with this major, it's a good path to take if you take interest in the eye and vision. I believe it's going to remain a steady job (although that REALLY matters on where you find a optometrist job, it's in high demand in some areas more than others) in this -failing- economy and the pay rate is excellent .

[msjang]

There isn't a major called pre-optometry...most optometry students majored in the sciences during undergrad, biology being the most frequent. you don't need a bachelor degree in order to get accepted into optometry school, altho it is prefered (preferred meaning if you and a person who has a bachelors, have the same GPA, OAT scores, extracurriculars, the school will choose the candidate with the bachelors degree) So if you want to be on the safe side, make sure you make yourself a competitive applicant, by having high GPA. OAT score, good amount of optometrist shadowing hours. etc. Some optometry schools will require a bachelors degree no matter what, so if you dont have one, then you cant apply to those schools. Let me know if you have anymore questions

[f_r_E_a_K]

^Thanks for the info! And there is a pre-optometry major, well, it's kinda of a 2-3 year program...for example, I believe Northern Illinois University and UC Berkley offer it as an undergraduate major...

But I get what you mean. The major isn't that common, so optometry schools are fine with bio majors (my dad says I should go into pre-med, but that's...harsh ).

[c a t h e r s]

^ bio majors are fine. optometry schools have pre-reqs on what classes are required, so just look it up there. you don't even have to be a science major...just like you can be an art major and still go into medical school. as long as you complete the required classes.

by the way, berkeley doesn't have an undergraduate optometry major =)

[twinklingstars]

for pre-optometry, do we still have to take the MCAT?

[f_r_E_a_K]

for pre-optometry, do we still have to take the MCAT?

No. Optometry schools only accept Optometry Admissions Test scores, but the MCAT may be good practice for it.
source

[twinklingstars]

No. Optometry schools only accept Optometry Admissions Test scores, but the MCAT may be good practice for it.
source

oh thank you!

[HIP2thaHOP]

wow, i was thinking of optometry too :]
you should go on their websites because they tell you what classes you are required to take and stuff
if i am going to stick to optometry i hope to get into Southern California College of Optometry :]
http://scco.edu

[squishybear]

You don't even need a bachelor's degree. You just need to finish the pre-reqs. Most schools prefer a degree though.

A biology major is a good 'pre-optometry' major. That way, you'll satisfy the pre-reqs. My school has an actual list of all the specific classes I need to take. It's something like, 1-2 quarters of math, 1 yr. ochem, several quarters biochem, several quarters physics, etc.

www.studentdoctor.net

If you're interested in optometry, you should definitely check out this website and look through the forums. It's pretty helpful for general information.

[RE.]

here's my take on things.

Get a bachelors in whatever field you want. Look at the few schools that offer the program and view the prereqs (o chem, physics, human anatomy, microbiology, calc, etc) and you can take those classes at a jr college.


Apply to the cheapest one, dont bother with paying extra for the name like University of Oregon.

Now the negatives.

Optometry is very business oriented. Now more than ever its very difficult to make the good money you expect to make as just an optometrist. You'll be dealing w/ insurance, big companies like lenscrafter/walmart, and many competing optometrists (well that is if you want to open up your own store). I cant help but believe it's a dying field.

these are soley my opinions from being around an optometry store and gathering information from other optometrists.

[Apl420]

^ I can't really believe its a dying field. Dealing with insurance is what all optometrists have to do, and what business doesnt have competition right?
and making money shouldnt be thatt hard. (almost) everything can be done on the computer nowadays, and games just got so much better too.
The more time people spend time on computer/TV, the worst their eyes will get. Therefore, the more customers optometrist will have, and then they have to renew every year or two $_$ lol

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos073.htm#outlook
"Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 11 percent between 2006 and 2016"

wow, i was thinking of optometry too :]
you should go on their websites because they tell you what classes you are required to take and stuff
if i am going to stick to optometry i hope to get into Southern California College of Optometry :]
http://scco.edu

Same here =]
I'm a little worried about how to get internship, experiences, and all those other stuff to make my application looks better though >.<

[HIP2thaHOP]

^^ *sigh same here ... including money $$ needed X_x
one of my professors told me to talk one on one with an optometrist, they offer internships? >< haha

[bepiozo]

I've heard the salary for optometrists averages around 80-110k..but is this estimate for private practices? How does this differ if one is working for a company like lenscrafter or visionworks, etc..?

And there are only what, 16 optometry schools in the US? How high should ones GPA be?

AND most importantly (for me) is getting a minor in Chemistry going to be beneficial? Because I'd reeeally rather not do it, lol

[teresavi]

As far as I know, there's no such thing as a pre-optometry major. Pre-anything isn't a major; it just means you take your prerequisites before going to optometry school.
In order to get your degree in Optometry, it really is preferred that you have a bachelor's degree (4-year degree, with a major in anything); you can also graduate in 2 to 3 years if you wanted to, BUT, in order to get accepted without a bachelor's degree, you must maintain an excellent GPA. The average GPA for optometry is about a 3.6 or 3.7 (that is with a bachelor's degree) and the OAT scores are high as well. I would worry about my basics, then work on studying for the OAT. I think it covers physics, organic chemistry, reading comprehension, and biological sciences. Also, I would recommend you shadow an optometrist or even an optometric technician, just to get a feel for what you're getting into. Also, they have more of a preference for those who've had experience shadowing or working under an optometrist.
You DO NOT have to minor in Chemistry. A minor is not required in order to apply for optometry school. If you want to minor in Zoology, Psychology, or any of the sciences, that's fine, but it's not required.
I wouldn't worry about the pay right now; whether you're working at Eyemasters or Lenscrafters, or opening your own office, you will still be paid. I think that having your own office is more of a responsibility in a way, because you have to worry about paying for the place and the people working under you.

I hope that answers your questions. ;-)

[xl0v3juicy]

I've heard the salary for optometrists averages around 80-110k..but is this estimate for private practices? How does this differ if one is working for a company like lenscrafter or visionworks, etc..?

I think it really depends. I tried googling this, and private practice on average brings in more money than employment (sorry to state the obvious lol ) BUT aside from that the numbers were all over the place. Anyway, to answer your question, both private practice and employment average salaries fall around that price range you listed.

Optometrist Salary: Hourly & Annually

HOURLY

The Optometrist median salary is $48.96 per hour. The lowest 10% earn $23.07 per hour and those in the upper 10% earn more than $70.00 per hour.

ANNUALLY

On an annual basis the median optometrist salary is $101,840. The lowest 10% earn $47,980 per year while the upper 10% earn more than $145,000 per year. These salaries are calculated as a mean or average.

Lowest and Highest Optometrist Salary

The lowest paid Optometrists earn less than $40,000 annually while the highest paid Optometrists earn more than $180,000 per year.

Private Practice Vs Employment

Optometrists in private practice earned a median salary of approximately $120,227 per year based on a 2002 survey conducted by Review of Optometry Online. The highest reported salary was over $600,000 per year and the lowest was $30,000.

source: http://www.healthcaresalaryonline.com/opto...ist-salary.html

Anyway, I'm interested in pursuing optometry too, but is it considered a stable career? Is it true that it's a "dying field"?