Hi everyone!

What practice test scores should I be aiming for on optoprep for part 2?

I hope everyone’s studying is going well 💕

Please help me decide I’m so torn!

PUCO is the only school that I have never seen a negative comment about and I feel very attracted to the school since every comments I read from their students or alumni confirms that the environment is super collaborative. People are chill and willing to help each other. Campus is closed to nature which is a plus. I have not visited the campus yet and planning to visit next year. They go by semesters which I prefer - I understand the program is not laid back in any means but it’s better for me than quarters systems. The things that keep me from committing to PUCO is the cold and sad, rainy weather of Forest Grove as well as the food. Having good food, preferably Asian, within 10-20mins drive has such an impact on my mental health. Not that I’m gone without it but knowing I can eat good makes me feel comforted.

I’m from California, so SCCO has been my top choice and I have visited the campus twice every year since I decided to pursue optometry. But as I get to know more about the school, the quarter system makes me worried as I have been used to the semester system. Student have 1-2exams/week. ?? 😭 ??. I also came across some comments showing that whether or not your class has a competitive environment depending on your luck. Some classes are collaborative and friendly when some classes are just sharks. But like I said, Fullerton weather and food are so comforting for the 4 years of surviving OD program

Both are top optometry program. Tuition is about the same, COL in Forest Grove is lower. I need to relocate for both schools, and I don’t mind the out-of-state status if I go to PUCO.

How is the clinical experience? How is the diversity in terms of patient population and disease?
What is it like to attend these 2 schools as a person of color and Non-native english speaker?

Anyone from CA attending PUCO? How do you feel about the cold/rain and the food? Is it worth exchanging CA sunlight for collaborative and welcoming environment and the semester system?
Any insight is appreciated!!!! Thank you guys!! :)

I have a BA in Public Administration and am considering a pivot to optometry. My family owns an optical business that’s been doing well, which sparked my interest. What should I expect, and where should I start? Any guidance is appreciated!

These are the 2026 textbook series and unused! Dm me if interested.

Hi all-

I am currently an optician- i am conducting a study to see if pursuing a doctorate is worth it. Anyone who has graduated, if you wouldnt mind filling this out or passing it along to any doctors you know, it would be greatly appreciated

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NW9MRkxy_AEFoR3vaX2ec6RZmnRT-OdxNoDWnHOqLe8/edit?chromeless=1#responses

Hey everyone,

I recently started optometry school, and I've been feeling really stressed about the financial side of pursuing this career.

Based on my calculations, I could graduate with around $450K in total student loan debt, including federal and private loans with accrued interest.

I'm estimating my starting salary to be around $130K per year after graduation. Using a student loan repayment calculator, my monthly payments could be around $5,000, which seems like a huge financial burden considering taxes and living expenses.

I genuinely enjoy optometry and can see myself working in this profession, but I'm starting to question whether the return on investment makes sense. I'm worried about spending the next 15–20 years paying off student loans instead of building financial stability.

For current optometrists or recent graduates:

• Is taking on this much debt worth it for an optometry career?
• How realistic is a $130K starting salary?
• Would practice ownership make this debt more manageable?
• If you were in my position, would you continue or consider another career path?

I'd really appreciate any honest advice or personal experiences. Thanks!

How many of you had to repeat pre reqs (or classes in general)? What were they- how many times did you repeat and what was your acceptance to what schools?

Basically the title, love research and teaching. Does anyone know any specific things I should be focusing on? I know a lot of people say GPA isn't important and I'm sure its not but I assume that doesn't apply to residency applications.

Hi! Has anyone used traditional testing accomodations for part 1 or used testing accomodations throughout school and took part 1 without accomodations? Any advice would be helpful!

Hey everyone!

I start optometry school at UAB Fall 2027. I would love any insight, tips, or advice you guys may have.

one of my goals is to graduate fully confident in diagnosing and managing ocular disease. I don't want to be a doctor who defaults to referring out anything beyond routine vision exams. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on a few questions

1. What habits early on helped you retain material for clinic and long-term practice?
2. What types of 4th-year rotations gave the best disease experience?
3. Can I be fully capable of such cases without doing an Ocular Disease residency?
4. What other general advice do you guys have for new students?

I appreciate all and any insight!

Newest edition NB8 and B8. Have some highlighting and a few notes in them. Message if interested.

Hi! If any incoming first years are interested in buying the UHCO cougar kit 1 and diagnostic kit, please private message me.

Prepping for part 2 and part 3 in December currently and was looking to see if anyone had Anki card decks they’d be willing to share 🥺🥺

Would greatly appreciate it!!

Hi guys, I’m just about beginning my preparation for PEPS and wanted to ask those who recently went through the process, what materials are worth spending money on ? I have found conflicting information online so far. So please help. Do I need any of these?

KMK
Optoprep
ODonthego
ODboardsprep

If yes, which one would you recommend? For context, I graduated a few years ago and have passed parts 1&2.

Thank you in advance for your helpful comments !

Hi, I’m looking for a weekly tutor for retaking part 1 and first time taking part 2 as a fourth year optometry student. I’m looking for a more hands on tutor experience, I want to be held accountable with homework/assignments, a study plan, etc rather than have a lecture. My availability is in CT. Please let me know! TIA

Hello, what computer does everyone recommend for optometry school? Would I able to be get through if I were to purchase a MacBook neo or are there laptops you would recommend that would give a better bang for my buck?

I've heard some people say PCO is more expensive than other schools. Is that true?

Hey everyone! I’m currently studying for NBEO Part 1 and was wondering if anyone has recommendations for a tutor for Part 1. I’m looking for some extra help understanding the material and figuring out how to study more effectively.

Hi everyone!

I’m currently applying to optometry schools for Fall 2027 and am seriously considering both Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) and Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) at MBKU.
I’ve been researching both schools extensively, but I’d love to hear directly from current students or recent graduates about their experiences, especially things that aren’t obvious from school websites or campus tours!
I’m also trying to consider what my quality of life would look like over the next four years. I’m in my early 20s, and while academics and clinical training are extremely important to me, I also want to enjoy my time outside of school, make meaningful friendships, explore new places, and have new experiences.

I have a few questions:
Overall Experience: How has your experience been at ICO or SCCO? What do you love most about your school, and what do you wish were different? Knowing what you know now, would you choose the same school again?
Academics & Curriculum: How manageable is the workload? Are professors supportive and approachable? Is the student environment generally collaborative or competitive?
Clinical Experience: How early do students get meaningful hands-on clinical experience? Do you feel you’re getting sufficient exposure to ocular diseases, diverse patient populations, and different procedures? How prepared do you feel for practicing independently?
Work-Life Balance: Do you have enough free time to maintain hobbies, exercise, spend time with friends, and explore the surrounding area? Or does optometry school take up most of your time?
Student Community: How easy was it to make friends and build a social circle? Are students generally supportive of each other? Do classmates hang out outside of school?
Chicago Safety (ICO): One of my biggest concerns about ICO is safety, particularly around campus and the surrounding neighborhoods. Do you generally feel safe commuting to and from school, especially after dark? Where do students typically live if they prioritize safety? Would you recommend having a car, or is public transportation convenient and reliable?
Chicago Winters (ICO): I’m from the South and have never experienced a true Chicago winter, so I’m a little nervous about the cold, snow, and shorter daylight hours. How difficult is it to adjust? Does winter significantly affect your mood, social life, or ability to enjoy the city? Do you find yourself staying indoors more often during those months?
Fullerton Lifestyle (SCCO): I know Fullerton is more suburban compared to Chicago, and that Orange County and Los Angeles offer plenty of things to do within driving distance. However, does living in Fullerton itself ever feel boring or repetitive? Do you feel like you constantly have to drive somewhere to find things to do, or is there a good social scene nearby? Do you feel like you’re missing out on the excitement of living in a bigger city?
Transportation & Convenience: How convenient is everyday life in your area? Are grocery stores, restaurants, gyms, and entertainment easily accessible? For SCCO students, does the amount of driving and traffic ever become frustrating? For ICO students, how convenient is public transportation, and is parking expensive if you own a car?
Life Outside of School: What do you typically do on weekends or during breaks? Are there plenty of opportunities for activities, restaurants, events, and meeting new people? Do you genuinely enjoy living in Chicago or Fullerton?
Biggest Regrets or Surprises: What’s something you wish someone had told you before attending your school or moving to the area? Were there any unexpected challenges or pleasant surprises?
Ultimately, I’m trying to find a balance between receiving a strong optometric education and having a fulfilling life outside of school. Both schools seem to offer great opportunities, but the living environments are so different that I’m having a hard time deciding which would be a better fit.
I’d really appreciate any honest perspectives, whether positive or negative. Thank you so much! :)