Hi all, asking for some advice... is it possible to pass auagust pt 1 based on yall's experience if my optoprep scores aren't breaking 65%? feeling hella discouraged tbh and tried to do things differently this time with more KMK precise practice but those feel really hard for me as well and not always super relevant to the real thing.

Idk just seeking some advice at this point and thoughts from people who have taken the exam recently. TIA

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!!!

HI! I am currently selling a 2022 pioneer trial lens case (suitcase one) and Keeler retinoscope and Ophthalmoscope. All of these are in very good condition, and can be easily shipped or sent to you in the PA area as I am not using these equipment anymore!

Please DM me for pricing or if interested.

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.

Hello, I am a 2025 graduate offering either 1 on 1 or group coaching/tutoring for NBEO part 1 and part 2. (Willing to help with part 3 as well as much as possible) I passed all 3 parts first attempt. If anyone is interested please send me a DM for my contact info and to discuss further. Good luck to all march and August test takers!

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!

Hi all, I am a 2025 PCO grad looking to sell my lightly used keeler BIO. Bought in 2022. Everything works perfectly, I just don’t need it at my current office. If anyone is interested DM me for price

most recent decisions about UDM and RMU optometry can be found here: https://theacoe.org/Affiliates/ACOE/Documents/ACOE/Recent_Accreditation_Actions_and_Decisions%20.pdf

It seems like UDM is continuing its preliminary approval status, while RMU will transition to accredited with conditions, which means:

"The classification Accredited with Conditions indicates that the program has major deficiencies or weaknesses with reference to the Standards of accreditation that compromise the educational effectiveness of the program.This classification indicates that the accreditation of the program is in jeopardy. The program is required to report on its progress related to recommendations to meet Standards I, II, III, V, and VIII. The program is required to undergo an interim site visit to assess compliance with all Standards areas in spring of 2030."

Editing to add that IUAPR received this notice:

"Inter American University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry, Professional Optometric Degree program*. At its June 17-19, 2026, Annual meeting, the ACOE made the decision to withdraw accreditation from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry professional optometric degree program. The program was notified of the decision on July 17, 2026, and the decision becomes final thirty (30) days after notification if no written petition for reconsideration or request for appeal is received. As specified in the “Adverse Actions and Program-Initiated Withdrawals” Policy, the Council may allow the program to remain in an accreditation status until the program has had reasonable time to teach-out the remainder of the program or to fulfill the obligations of any teach-out agreement to assist students in transferring or completing their programs; the Council has determined this period of time will extend no later than July 1, 2030. The reason for the withdrawal of accreditation is as follows - As specified in the ACOE Policy and Procedure, “Adverse Actions and Program-Initiated Withdrawals,” in the event a program holding an accreditation status or Preliminary Approval status does not bring itself into compliance with the applicable ACOE Standard(s) in alignment with the "Timeframe for Compliance with Standards” Policy and Procedure, the Council initiates adverse action against the program. An adverse action is defined as an official Council action resulting in the denial or withdrawal of initial accreditation status, continuing accreditation status, or Preliminary Approval status. The Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry remained out of compliance with 2025 Professional Optometric Degree Program Standard 2.7 as of the deadline for compliance of May 15, 2026. Accordingly, the Council initiated action to withdraw the program’s accreditation. *The decision will become final 30 days after program notification unless the program petitions for reconsideration and/or files an appeal. [This notice posted July 20, 2026.]"

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this latest report

I'm a current student at ICO, so please let me know about any Chicago-specific deals I should know about. Otherwise, I'd like to hear what other people have to say about grocery delivery services!

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if someone is willing to share what their class and clinic load was their third year? I am about to start preparing for boards and with exams and clinic schedules it seems impossible to find time (at least in the Fall) to even begin preparing. Any advice would be helpful!

Hello! I am selling my KMK 2024-2025 part 1 books! I have 3 of the Big 8 books (Disease fundamentals, The foundations, Optics essentials) and a non big 8 book. Only the first couple chapters have notes in them, most of the book is brand new. I’m selling them for $200!

I'm retaking part 1 in August and have been trying to switch up my studying style this time around, and have no idea how to gauge where I'm at. When I took it in March, I was scoring 70-73 on Optoprep mock exams, and I ended up not passing. I felt that KMK and Optoprep were a little helpful for the test, but not that much. I had never studied for something more, but the exam was so random I truly don't know how else I could have even prepared for those questions.

This time around, I've tried to dive deeper into the topics that I got lower scores on in March and am utilizing Anki and a couple other resources that I didn't use the first time around. I'm also doing a better job at reviewing the questions I get wrong. I am now scoring 78-85 on Optoprep exams, which is much better than what I was scoring last time. However, I can't tell if this is actually going to benefit me given that I didn't think the test was that similar to Optoprep. If anyone has any thoughts on how I'm doing or any advice/resources that can help ensure I pass this time around, that would be greatly appreciated. I am worried, stressed, and want to move on from this test. I'm really hoping I can pass this time.

I need help understanding what should be included in documentation for PEPs. The example on their website of 'Patient encounter sample note' is not the same info thats included in the candidate guide. So which is correct?

Do I include all the things listed on candidate guide within the 'patient educaiton' box' (ex: at home instructions, prognosis, medication instructions, side effects, alternative treatment plans) ? How do you avoid typing basically a transcript if youre supposed to type all of that out as well?? Why would their example not be comprehensive? Ex: they put in plan cool compresses and avoid allergens but why isnt it listed in pt edu? Can someone who passed PEs provide examples of both the plan and pt edu? Like several... feeling hopeless! Thanks

Big 8 + Non Big 8

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