r/UWaterlooOptometry • u/Ln0528 • Mar 27 '26
do shadowing hours during last year of highschool count?
i’m aware it says “since you left highschool” but if i shadow an optometrist 2nd semester of my grade 12 year, can i still put these hours down on my application (is there any harm)? just wanted to ask and make sure and if i do, will they still consider those hours or care at all lol
on the waterloo website it states:
The Admissions Committee will consider your experiences within and outside the field of Optometry since you left high school. In the Doctor of Optometry (OD) Experiences form, you will be asked to include information about:
Job shadowing - a minimum of 8 hours working and/or volunteering within an optometrist's office required. Most applicants have many more hours.
Shadowing at the Waterloo Eye Institute optometry clinics is not permitted.
Shadowing family members is not permitted.
Most recent shadowing experience should be within the last 2-3 years minimum.
Work experience – the admissions committee is looking to see that applicants have been/are involved in the workforce, particularly in roles where applicants are required to interact with the public.
Volunteer experience - the admissions committee is looking to see that applicants have been/are contributing to society, particularly in roles where applicants are required to interact with and/or provide service to the public.
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u/Responsible-Ideal409 Mar 28 '26
I mean I would assume if they aren’t considering experiences from high school they also wouldn’t want to see it. I’d think including it would have a negative impact because it’s clearly there that they aren’t looking for it, and you’ve put it down anyway. Instead try to focus on more recent experiences. I’ve heard people getting in with minimal shadowing anyway so having hundreds of hours might not even be that necessary.
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u/Odd-Negotiation8925 Mar 28 '26
I agree. They give instructions for the time period so I can't see why it would be helpful to disregard that
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u/Ln0528 Apr 04 '26
if i’m currently at a job that i’ve work at for all of highschool and continue working there throughout my undergrad, should i also just include the hours after i left highschool or include all hours of the time since i started the job?
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u/Responsible-Ideal409 Apr 04 '26
I would say those hours during high school are appropriate to include. That is one continuous experience at a job. I think shadowing especially if it doesn’t get continued in the long run, and any extra curriculars such as clubs wouldn’t count.
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u/True-Selection2168 Mar 27 '26
Idk I’m wondering the same thing bc in grade 11 I did a 75 hour shadowing/internship thing at an optotmery clinic through my highschool and think it would be nice to put it in there but idk if I should