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What should a person starting with community college do to become an optometrist ?
I am a just graduated high school student, and I want to become an optometrist. I personally don't have great vision and use glasses everyday of my life, which has caused me to get interested in the study of the eyes and to then want to go to school for optometry.
After high school, I am going to a community college. What classes should I take there to get my basics done and also have my pre requisites for university after community college? What would be a good major to major in community college and university? Which pre reqs should I have completed before optometry school? Is med school required to pursue this career?
I also would like to know what major would be good for undergrad? Is a doctorate required to become an optometrist? And what would look good for optometry school?
I havent started community college yet, and have a long way ahead of me to optometry school, but I am confused on how to start the path for it as someone who is going to a community college first. I plan on furthering my education after community college, I just don't know what would be the best classes and majors to choose to then continue into optometry school. Any tips or extra advice would be highly appreciated. :)
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Updated
Lee’s Answer
Hi Noelami!
I’m an optometrist, and I had the same questions that you have right now. I went to the University of Southern California. It was very expensive, so the longer I stayed there, the more it would cost me. Later I realized that some optometry schools don’t require a degree for admission. If I remember correctly, 7 of the 13 optometry schools in the USA didn’t require a degree for admission. I narrowed those seven down to five. I applied to those five schools and got granted interviews to four of them. But as soon as I went to the first interview, I decided to go there— The New England College of Optometry in Boston. In fact, they even had a program where, after two years, you could apply for a BS in Optometry!
Some schools require certain majors for admission, some do not. Some don’t even require a degree.
My advice is this: you can save a lot of money by going to a community college at fulfilling the class requirements for admission to optometry school. I’d start by narrowing down your choice of schools you would want to attend. From there, you’ll be able to create a list of required classes. At this point, you can even eliminate a school or two if they require a class you don’t want to take. Then eliminate the schools further by location, reputation, or any other factors.
So, yes, you can attend optometry school without a certain degree— or even without a degree.
Good luck!
I’m an optometrist, and I had the same questions that you have right now. I went to the University of Southern California. It was very expensive, so the longer I stayed there, the more it would cost me. Later I realized that some optometry schools don’t require a degree for admission. If I remember correctly, 7 of the 13 optometry schools in the USA didn’t require a degree for admission. I narrowed those seven down to five. I applied to those five schools and got granted interviews to four of them. But as soon as I went to the first interview, I decided to go there— The New England College of Optometry in Boston. In fact, they even had a program where, after two years, you could apply for a BS in Optometry!
Some schools require certain majors for admission, some do not. Some don’t even require a degree.
My advice is this: you can save a lot of money by going to a community college at fulfilling the class requirements for admission to optometry school. I’d start by narrowing down your choice of schools you would want to attend. From there, you’ll be able to create a list of required classes. At this point, you can even eliminate a school or two if they require a class you don’t want to take. Then eliminate the schools further by location, reputation, or any other factors.
So, yes, you can attend optometry school without a certain degree— or even without a degree.
Good luck!
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Noelani !
Always remember that the college and university that you plan to attend will have all the exact answers, not generalized, to all the questions you have asked. First, it's best to know the length of time you would need to become an Optometrist which is eight years in order to obtain your OD (Doctor of Optometry). The course of study includes clinical work which you'd do in your last year of optometry school. Then you would take the National Board Exam and after passing that, you would apply for your License. It is a most fascinating, wonderful and much appreciated career.
While in undergraduate school, you may want to take biology, chemistry, physics or any pre-health courses your particular college offers. Optometry School does have science requirements so the best way to know how to prepare is to read various Optometry School websites to find out their admission requirements. That's the best way to know. You will also need to start reading undergrad college major programs to see which ones offer a major that you'd want in any of the mentioned sciences or pre-health. You would not be attending medical school, but Optometry School is four years and you will have clinical work within the program before you graduate. Please do not take this advice as set in stone because it is required that you meet in person with your advisor, academic counselor or Career Center on campus. I have left a link below that provides an idea of what majors and minors you may be interested in for your A.S. and your B.S. degrees from undergraduate school.
Yes, you will obtain a Doctorate degree, but it's not the same path as obtaining a Medical Doctor Degree. Anything that you do now can prepare you for your future career. You can do volunteer work at an optical store or volunteer as a receptionist or data entry and clerical person at an ophthalmologist office. Be involved in health fairs, participate in science fairs, and do not hesitate to see what is online that can give you an introduction to learning about the eyes and how they function as well as various eye issues. I have left some links for you below and the courses about the eyes seem awesome at Class Central.
You may think that you have a long time before Optometry School, but it will only be four years before you enroll there and those four years in undergraduate school will go by pretty fast, so it's great that you are now planning for that as well as looking ahead for after you get your Bachelors Degree. It is great that you are starting out at community college and then transferring - you will save a lot of money that way and still have a substantial and efficient education.
Again, I advise that you meet with the academic counselor at your community college and discuss which courses to take in your first semester and how to arrange the courses so you do not overload the course work. Keep in mind that in your first two years of college, you will have to take some general education requirements. Some or a couple of general ed courses may fall in the science category, so you can use the science or human health courses when you choose general education courses. Your academic counselor can explain this further to you. It will depend on the particular courses that your college offers.
I wish you all the best and because I like puns, I will say keep your eyes on the prize and never give up ! This is a very rewarding career you have to look forward to !
SUGGESTED MAJORS AND MINORS FOR PRE-OPTOMETRY https://www.bradley.edu/academic/cio/prehealth/health-professions/pre-optometry/majors-minors/
EYE COURSES ONLINE FOR SMALL FEE https://eye-courses.com/product/advanced-anatomy-2/
ANATOMY OF THE EYE https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology2/chapter/anatomy-of-the-eye/
EYE COURSES ONLINE https://www.classcentral.com/course/youtube-special-senses-eye-anatomy-168114
Always remember that the college and university that you plan to attend will have all the exact answers, not generalized, to all the questions you have asked. First, it's best to know the length of time you would need to become an Optometrist which is eight years in order to obtain your OD (Doctor of Optometry). The course of study includes clinical work which you'd do in your last year of optometry school. Then you would take the National Board Exam and after passing that, you would apply for your License. It is a most fascinating, wonderful and much appreciated career.
While in undergraduate school, you may want to take biology, chemistry, physics or any pre-health courses your particular college offers. Optometry School does have science requirements so the best way to know how to prepare is to read various Optometry School websites to find out their admission requirements. That's the best way to know. You will also need to start reading undergrad college major programs to see which ones offer a major that you'd want in any of the mentioned sciences or pre-health. You would not be attending medical school, but Optometry School is four years and you will have clinical work within the program before you graduate. Please do not take this advice as set in stone because it is required that you meet in person with your advisor, academic counselor or Career Center on campus. I have left a link below that provides an idea of what majors and minors you may be interested in for your A.S. and your B.S. degrees from undergraduate school.
Yes, you will obtain a Doctorate degree, but it's not the same path as obtaining a Medical Doctor Degree. Anything that you do now can prepare you for your future career. You can do volunteer work at an optical store or volunteer as a receptionist or data entry and clerical person at an ophthalmologist office. Be involved in health fairs, participate in science fairs, and do not hesitate to see what is online that can give you an introduction to learning about the eyes and how they function as well as various eye issues. I have left some links for you below and the courses about the eyes seem awesome at Class Central.
You may think that you have a long time before Optometry School, but it will only be four years before you enroll there and those four years in undergraduate school will go by pretty fast, so it's great that you are now planning for that as well as looking ahead for after you get your Bachelors Degree. It is great that you are starting out at community college and then transferring - you will save a lot of money that way and still have a substantial and efficient education.
Again, I advise that you meet with the academic counselor at your community college and discuss which courses to take in your first semester and how to arrange the courses so you do not overload the course work. Keep in mind that in your first two years of college, you will have to take some general education requirements. Some or a couple of general ed courses may fall in the science category, so you can use the science or human health courses when you choose general education courses. Your academic counselor can explain this further to you. It will depend on the particular courses that your college offers.
I wish you all the best and because I like puns, I will say keep your eyes on the prize and never give up ! This is a very rewarding career you have to look forward to !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Reema’s Answer
As a fresh high school graduate with aspirations to be an optometrist, starting at community college can set you on the right path. The first step is to concentrate on basic classes that meet general education needs, like math, biology, chemistry, and physics. These subjects not only build a sturdy base but also tick off many prerequisites for optometry schools.
Choosing a major in sciences or healthcare, such as biology, chemistry, or pre-optometry, can align with your career ambitions. Optometry schools usually require classes in biology, chemistry, physics, math, and English, so plan your community college classes to fulfill these needs.
While optometrists don't go to regular medical school, they earn a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from a certified optometry school. Strive to keep a strong academic record, gain hands-on experience through internships or by shadowing optometrists, and prepare for the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), a requirement for optometry school admission.
Starting at community college is a fantastic way to meet these requirements and move forward in your optometry career.
Choosing a major in sciences or healthcare, such as biology, chemistry, or pre-optometry, can align with your career ambitions. Optometry schools usually require classes in biology, chemistry, physics, math, and English, so plan your community college classes to fulfill these needs.
While optometrists don't go to regular medical school, they earn a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from a certified optometry school. Strive to keep a strong academic record, gain hands-on experience through internships or by shadowing optometrists, and prepare for the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), a requirement for optometry school admission.
Starting at community college is a fantastic way to meet these requirements and move forward in your optometry career.
Updated
Rita’s Answer
Many optometrists begin their interest in the field as patients first just like you describe. The process of getting to optometry school (earning a Doctor of Optometry degree) seems intense, but can be easily managed if you break it down into steps.
First, look at the websites of the optometry schools you might want to attend, specifically the admissions requirements. For example if you plan to stay in your home state, look at the schools there (for example in Texas, University of Houston or University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio). You will find what classes are required to be considered for admission. Use this as a guideline to decide which classes to start with at community college. Your undergraduate major can be in any subject that interests you, but you need to complete these classes. A lot of optometry school applicants are science majors because the prerequiste courses and course required for a science major tend to overlap. You would be fulfilling both requirements at the same time. Work hard in all your classes to get the best possible grades.
Second, make yourself a strong candidate for optometry school admission. While not required, completing a bachelor's degree makes you a stronger candidate. It shows that you are a good student who can stick with an intense course of study The activities you are involved with outside of school also matter. This can include your work experience and volunteer work. You will need to shadow a practicing optometrist to show that you understand what the career entails. Consider asking your own optometrist if they would be willing to allow you to shadow them. Most will say yes! It would be great if you could get a job at an optometrist's office. There are a lot of practices that need staff, whether it is a front desk person or a techician who can check-in the patients for their exams. Start looking at job postings for entry level jobs in optometry. Optometry practices are looking for individuals that are reliable, willing to learn, and have good customer service skills.
First, look at the websites of the optometry schools you might want to attend, specifically the admissions requirements. For example if you plan to stay in your home state, look at the schools there (for example in Texas, University of Houston or University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio). You will find what classes are required to be considered for admission. Use this as a guideline to decide which classes to start with at community college. Your undergraduate major can be in any subject that interests you, but you need to complete these classes. A lot of optometry school applicants are science majors because the prerequiste courses and course required for a science major tend to overlap. You would be fulfilling both requirements at the same time. Work hard in all your classes to get the best possible grades.
Second, make yourself a strong candidate for optometry school admission. While not required, completing a bachelor's degree makes you a stronger candidate. It shows that you are a good student who can stick with an intense course of study The activities you are involved with outside of school also matter. This can include your work experience and volunteer work. You will need to shadow a practicing optometrist to show that you understand what the career entails. Consider asking your own optometrist if they would be willing to allow you to shadow them. Most will say yes! It would be great if you could get a job at an optometrist's office. There are a lot of practices that need staff, whether it is a front desk person or a techician who can check-in the patients for their exams. Start looking at job postings for entry level jobs in optometry. Optometry practices are looking for individuals that are reliable, willing to learn, and have good customer service skills.
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Interesting, not sure that Jr College will provide the classes but I assume the basics Math, Science, Health, this link below can help.
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/how-to-become-an-optometrist-and-tips-on-optometry-school
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/how-to-become-an-optometrist-and-tips-on-optometry-school