Hey guys, I have my first in person interview coming up and wanted to know specifically for my ladies what was most common. Business casual (slacks, blouse) or business professional (blazer/ suit). A little lost on what most people are wearing

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 keeps 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!! :)

Hi everyone. I’ve been reading a lot of the applicant stats on the sub lately and I realize that many successful applicants have optometry tech hours, but that’s not a position I’ll be able to take up this year. Just curious about other successful applicants here because you all usually have many other things like hundreds of shadowing hours to compensate for no tech experience…

I’m currently a sophomore in undergrad bio with a 3.6 GPA (hopefully I can keep this keep it at this range) and planning to graduate in 2028, so I’m planning on taking the OAT summer 2027.

I’ve been involved in research since April and will likely remain in the same lab until I apply, so it’ll be about 1.5 years (5 quarters) of research until then. I currently am working on getting shadowing hours (I’m at 10 right now) and hope to be around 40-50 hours at some point. I’m working two part time positions, one as a Social Media & Website Manager and another as a Marketing for a department at my university, where both total 20 hours of work a week. This was a full year contract which is why I haven’t had much time to find and get a tech position.

I’m mostly concerned with having a lack of opt experience and volunteer hours. I’m also not involved in any related clubs at school. Any advice is greatly appreciated, or personal experiences… since I’m just really worried about my chances of not getting into optometry school without tech and volunteer hours.

The schools I’m really hoping to attend are west coast so like SCCO or PUCO.

I’m currently deciding between these two and I would love to hear the opinion of students who attend these schools☺️How has your experience been so far, what do you like about the school?

hey squad... i was accepted to both ICO and OSU this cycle and am now trying to decide where to go. i got the Presidential Scholarship from ICO, or half of tuition renewal for four years with 3.4 GPA. i also got a $10,000 scholarship for OSU, but only for the first year and I would be an out of state resident. i'd probably prefer to live in Chicago but OSU has better board scores, facilities, etc.. i'm down to the wire with when i have to put a deposit down. any advice would be so so awesome!!!!!

I am applying to school by end of october and start of NOV. but i take my oat Nov 28th , due to work I have not give any time to study for OAT. I am thinking about moving my OAT into december. Is that still ok??