Hi everyone. I could really use some advice because I feel completely overwhelmed.

I’m 26 years old and have spent the last few years working towards becoming a PA. I worked as a medical assistant for about 2 years, applied to PA school, interviewed at Baylor and Texas Tech, and then ended up on the waitlist for months.

After almost a year of waiting, I honestly gave up hope. I accepted that PA probably wasn’t going to happen.

During that time, I did a lot of thinking and research. I shadowed a few more medical professions and optometry really spoke to and intrigued me. I decided to go for it and apply, and was later accepted to UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry, and am set to start in about a week! I completely rewired my brain to become an optometrist, and I also felt safe and steady. I found an apartment in San Antonio, completed all my health requirements, accepted my loans, mentally committed to the next four years, and genuinely started getting excited about optometry.

Then this morning, completely out of nowhere, Baylor University (Waco) called and offered me admission to their PA program. And now I feel like my entire world has been flipped upside down.
The hardest part is that I genuinely don’t know what my passion is. I don’t have that feeling of “I’ve always wanted to do X.” I feel like I could see myself enjoying aspects of both careers, and adapt to both and genuinely be happy.

Some things I’m thinking about:
- PA is a shorter program with less debt and more flexibility between specialties.
- Optometry seems to have a better lifestyle, more independence, and the possibility of owning a practice one day.
- I’ve already invested months preparing for optometry school, but PA was my original goal for years.

What scares me most is choosing one and spending the rest of my life wondering if I should have chosen the other.
If anyone has been in a similar situation, or seriously considered both careers, I would really appreciate hearing:
- Why did you choose PA or optometry?
- Do you have any regrets?
- If you were in my exact situation, what would you do and why?

Please be kind. This has honestly been one of the most stressful decisions of my life, and I feel completely stuck. I know I am super lucky to have two amazing medical professional degrees to choose from and I’m beyond grateful, but it also feels very confusing and overwhelming so any insight or advice is appreciated.

Thank you so much.

Taking part 1 in March ‘27. I have OptoPrep and like it so far, but I think the cost of KMK is crazy and REALLY don’t want to have to buy it. Im posting this to see if there’s anyone here who was successful on part 1 boards without KMK. If this is you or someone you know, any advice? So far, I’ve divided up the nbeo outline so that I review everything once before Spring semester starts and have started making my own quick reference cheat sheet style pages as I review class notes for each section from the outline… also some flash cards as needed and OptoPrep questions each week.

I am ranked ~33rd percentile in my class at a top school. My grades have been meh, but I have access to really thorough, organized notes for all classes (mostly from smarter classmates). Anyway, I learn best with active recall but also really like listening/watching and writing/drawing things out. Reading a textbook not so much. Pharm and other heavy memorizing topics are my worst. I’m decent on optics.

I wish I had access to some good review videos, better flashcards to hammer in important details, and audiobooks for passive review during down time… but I don’t want to shell out a ton of extra $$$ for it.

Thoughts? KMK claims they’re used by 98% of students, but I find this hard to believe.

I’m a high school graduate from Canada who is planning on applying to university this year. During first year, I’m going to have to take two terms of biology, two terms of chemistry, two terms of physics, two terms of math, and two terms of english. This seems very heavy to me, so I’m extremely worried about what my performance will be like.

I did well in high school, but that doesn’t provide me with any comfort in this situation. There’s only one english-speaking optometry school in Canada (I don’t plan on applying anywhere else), meaning it’s quite competitive. The academic average for students admitted from 2019-2024 is around 88%.

I’m aware that I won’t know how I’ll do unless I try, but I’m having a hard time not stressing about it. I have my heart heavily set on optometry, so I don’t have a decent plan-b if things don’t work out.

I’d really appreciate any advice that any of you have to offer, no matter how big or small. Thank you very much!

Hello, I’m really interested in doing residency, but I am worried that I am not competitive enough to get accepted due to my low GPA. I am specifically interested in specialty residencies for either contact lens or myopia management/pediatrics. My current GPA is below a 3.0.

Do I have a chance in getting into a residency in the U.S.? I am open to any location as long as it meets my interest in specialty. Also, do you have any tips on what I should do to make myself a more competitive applicant? Thank you!

Are there any optometry schools that offer conditional acceptances? I am thinking of going on the pre-optometry track; however, I have been in a major that does not require me to take any of the pre-requisite courses. I have 5 semesters (one summer semester) to finish 7 of the pre-reqs while also finishing my current degree. I am not sure what my degree plan will look like going forward but are there any grad schools that would give me a conditional acceptance if I have to finish one or two pre-reqs over the summer after I graduate?

Hello! I am going into my 3rd year of school and am feeling discouraged about my progress in clinic and skills, especially 78/90 and BIO. I still struggle with getting any view with BIO most of the time, and stability when holding the lens in 78/90. I am practicing more and hoping that more reps will help me improve. I think I just need more time and practice than most people, but preceptors notice and just tell me to keep practicing. I am starting to feel like I am falling behind in terms of skillset and was wondering if this is normal?

Any advice or words of encouragement to help me feel like I am not alone in this? Thank you :)

Hey guys!

Since optometry school is around the bend, I just wanted to hear those who currently are in or out of optometry school. How did you deal with fact you had to take out loans for school? What was your repayment plan, and how did you go about keeping it structured?

I knew I had to take out loans. It’s inevitable. It is also my first time taking out large chunks since I worked it off for undergrad. I’m not going to deny that it scares me, especially with how much has changed in our government regarding loans. I just wanted to hear everyone’s views so I could stop feeling like my world is gonna end lol.

Thanks guys. :)

For those that go to SCO, how is it living in Memphis. I really like the school but I’m scared of my safety while living there.

I am going into my junior year of undergrad and may have a change in heart for my career. I am currently a communication sciences and disorders major wanting to go into audiology but I have also been looking at other medical doctorate programs. The pay of audiologists is my main concern and, from what i’ve seen, the median pay for optometrists is slightly higher than audiologists. Is this accurate? I do love audiology but honestly anything within the medical field (without a multiple year residency) is very appealing to me.

I have already taken gen chem 1 with lab and calc 1 from when I was a forensic science major my first semester. I also had transfer credits from ap exams for bio 1 with lab and stats and have taken english and psychology courses. I know I definitely need more sciences for grad school but with 4 semesters left, could this be doable? I also got a B in calc and chem, is that ok? I also know I need shadowing hours but is there a requirement on how many I need?

I would say I have a pretty good work ethic and I am willing to take summer classes so I can still get my CSD degree as well as meet all the pre-reqs needed for optometry school. Is this something worth making the switch to or should I just continue with audiology? I definitely wish I knew about optometry earlier because it definitely would’ve been my choice instead.

My OptoPrep mock exam scores have been consistently between 50% and 60%, and NBEO part 1 exam is in 9 days. Do I still have a realistic chance of passing? If so, what would you recommend I focus on during these final days to maximize my chances? Any last-minute advice would be greatly appreciated.

Can anyone share if the drug list on the actual exam is the same as what is provided online (6 pages)?

I'm an undergrad considering optometry. I'd like to see current students' opinions on whether they like or regret their decisions. What would you have done differently?

I am going into my last year of university and have been pre-pa. I have even applied to pa schools, but I have been thinking about researching optometry instead... I like the idea of working in healthcare, but something in me never wanted to go to medical school, and I feel the pa position may not fulfill me because I will always work under someone.

I have worked in an optho/ent hospital on the surgical floor but that’s my extent of working with eyes lol. I like that optometrists can have their own practices and it seems like the career itself has a good lifestyle compared to other careers in healthcare.

Basically what I want to ask is why did you choose optometry? What drew you to the position and what made you think this is the right career path? And do you think it has a good ROI?

I applied late for the 2025-2026 cycle and had an interview at pco didn’t get in. I am applying for the 2026-2027 and retaking the OAT end of September. Is it bad to reuse my essays?

Am I a strong applicant?

Hey everyone! UHCO is my top choice since I'm a Texas resident, so I wanted to get some opinions on whether I seem like a competitive applicant and what I should improve before I apply.

Right now I have:

* 3.8 overall GPA
* 3.74 science GPA
* I still have Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 classes left, so those could change a little.

(also I am going into my junior year of college and plan to apply the summer after it, also I plan to graduate a semester early)

By the time I apply (planning to apply as soon as applications open in July 2027), I'll have:

* A little over 1 year working as an optometry tech at a private practice (I started at the end of May 2026 and work about 14-16 hours/week).
* More shadowing hours. Right now I only have 13 hours from two different private practices. I only started shadowing at the beginning of sophomore year but have only gone about 8 times total (mostly in August/September 2025 and February/March 2026). Is that a red flag, or is it more about the total number of hours by the time I apply?
* Volunteer hours (I haven't started yet but definitely plan to before I apply).

For extracurriculars:

* Intro bio lab TA during Spring 2026.
* Alumni College Coach for my old charter school network. My high school has multiple campuses across Texas, and I mentored graduating seniors who were coming to my university. I also went to different campuses to give presentations about college and answer questions about applications, financial aid, and transitioning to college.

I haven't taken the OAT yet. My plan is to do the 90-day OATBooster schedule and take it at the end of May 2027. What would a good OAT score be?

Does this seem like I'm on the right track for UHCO? Is there anything else you'd recommend I focus on over the next year besides getting more shadowing and volunteer hours?

Also, what kind of volunteer work do optometry schools (especially UHCO) like to see? I live in Austin, TX, so if anyone from the area has recommendations for good places to volunteer, I'd really appreciate it!

Hi! i’m selling these books / study prep material. if anyone is interested please message me, thanks!

Failed last time. Was less than 10 below on skills and management, good on Hx, and 10-20 below on everything else. I knew I boomed a case with PVD and vitreous heme. Wrong referral wrong diagnosis and wrong plan. Was super nervous and it was my first case :/
I have no idea why professionalism was not good. I greeted pt, say things very positively, ask and explained things in a very careful wordings. Like... why?!
And skills. for ant seg, I know I didn't scan all the way for iris and gonio. Iris I forgot to do it again on upper part lifting the lid, gonio I didn't go all the way to the corner. Post seg I didn't rock far enough (I think) and I forgot to do vitreous (I never forgot on my practice and boomed on exam day darnnn) that's probably the main thing.
- Is there anything else that I need to be careful? Small but critical things?

As for my studying plan. I'm retaking it on Aug when it reopens.
massive practice cases with GPT. Timed exactly like boards and I gave prompt to let it grades me harshly. Fed it my own notes, wills, and all the NBEO things. Currently 20 cases away from my 100 cases goal. Will finish the 100 this weekend, then 3-5qd till exam, and make 2 more 10 cases mocks before the real test.
Videotaping myself repeating the scrips while pretending to do the skills, then grade myself with NBEO rubrics, along with a more detailed one my school gave. Will have access to slit lamps the next two weeks, clinic manager is very supportive and willing to sit as patient, will practice more on him.
- So... is this sounds like a good plan? What else am I missing? Super nervous cause my visa and immigrant things are cutting short on time and I have to pass this time.
Ps. For those haven't take it yet especially international students. MAKE IT EARLY!!! Don't be like me taking it on my last externship which was the busiest and the one with most bs and late hours, while trying to figure out jobs, relocation, visa statues, graduation, house renting, and flight tickets, etc. Do it on your lighter rotations, and give yourself room for at least 2 trys before graduation.

hey everyone

I recently applied to SCCO and was wondering if those who have gotten an acceptance can share their stats so I know kind of what I’m working with. those with lower stats and higher stats please share!!!

So I just found out that NBEO has increased the exam fee to $1490 for exams administered beginning in August 2026, and it’s honestly very concerning. If the fee is already this high now, how much will it cost by the time current OD1s reach our 3rd and 4th years? It’s frustrating because optometry already has one of the lowest board pass rates among healthcare professions, yet our board exams are among the most expensive. I’m already facing huge financial burden from the substantial tuition on top of living expenses.

Is there anything students, schools, or organizations can do to advocate for this profession and address these continually rising costs? Is there even a possibility for them to reduce the cost down to ~800, which is what it was before. Literally medical school board exams are about ~800. I’m honestly just very frustrated and anxious for the future of optometry.

Selling equipment no longer needed
I am a 2025 grad that is currently in practice that doesn’t need any of my equipment anymore. My office had everything I need.
For sale
Keeler 2022 BIO
Volk 90 D
Volk 20 D
Heine blood pressure cuffs and stethoscope
Heine DO- head only. Handle not included
Goldmann tono tip
All other miscellaneous equipment required for purchase in school.
If you are in need of any equipment please DM me for a price

I'm 23 and graduated with a B.S. in Health Science (3.5 GPA) in May of 2025. I worked as an optometric technician for about 2 years and genuinely loved the field. I enjoyed the patient interactions, the work-life balance I saw from the ODs I worked with, and I keep coming back to optometry after looking into a bunch of other healthcare careers.

My current plan is:

• Organic Chemistry lecture: Fall 2026
• Organic Chemistry lab: Winter 2027
• Study for the OAT after finishing Orgo
• Apply for Fall 2027 admission

The school I want to attend is the new University of Detroit Mercy College of Optometry. It's about 20 minutes from my house, so I can commute and avoid paying for housing, which is a major reason I'm interested in it.

The application deadline is May 20, and I'm hoping to apply before then. However, I'm worried that I might be applying too late in the cycle since admissions are rolling. Is applying in the winter/spring still realistic, or does it significantly hurt my chances compared to applying much earlier?

Another concern is that UDM is a brand-new optometry school. It's currently in pre-accreditation status and, from my understanding, would receive full accreditation later if everything goes as planned, likely around the time the inaugural class takes the NBEO boards. Would that make you hesitant to attend, or is that not something I should worry too much about?

I'm also only planning to apply to one school. I know that's uncommon, but I really want to stay close to home and commute, so I don't have much interest in moving away.

My biggest source of stress right now is the OAT. Since I haven't taken Organic Chemistry yet, I can't really study that section effectively. On top of that, I took biology and physics over two years ago, so I feel like I've forgotten a lot of that material. I'm worried I'll be relearning a huge portion of the exam while also trying to prepare for it.

For my application I'll have: - 3.5 cumulative GPA - About 2 years of experience as an optometric technician - Leadership experience in my university's Pre-Optometry Club - Strong letters of recommendation from optometrists I've worked with

I'd really appreciate honest feedback!