r/OptometrySchool

Having to buy so much equipment and carry it around all the time. Having a lens kit and carrying it around seems like a waste of space and it’s not efficient.

Rotation sites and work places and schools should just provide a lens kit for students. BIO and like a 90D lens or tonometer I understand needing to purchase and carry around.

No other specialty needs so much stuff. You don’t even need the lens kit unless you trial frame and no one does that in real practice.

I was thinking about applying to it and I wanted to speak with people who actually went through with the process and works with the navy now. Is anyone willing to share their experience?

Look up boards pass rates and precious threads. They run a for profit research based school with shitty professors for core subjects.

AVOID like the plague.

I'm considering optometry and wanted to hear from current students and practicing ODs. Is optometry worth it overall? Would you choose it again?

How is the salary, work-life balance, job market, debt, and overall career satisfaction?

My other concern is that I don't like math or physics, especially optics. How math/physics-heavy is optometry school, and how much do you actually use it once you're practicing? Is it something you mostly just have to get through in school? For anyone who didn’t like physics/math before optometry school, did you end up being okay?

For fourth years on their rotations, if anyone has advice from their rotations on what to do and what not to do, please drop it below.

Advice on how to survive on your own away from home in a random place and how to generally make it work well

Hey! I applied to ICO and was verified on the 11th. Obviously I shouldn't be stressing yet but was wondering on a timeline people heard back from them about interviewing. Did anyone get an immediate rejection? I feel like a refresh my email every hour!

I've attempted to make the NBEO pass rate data released by the ASCO a little easier to visualize and meaningfully use for comparisons. If you make a copy, you'll be able to change the top two graphs to show data from individual schools rather than the national averages. PLEASE if you see an error in the data, let me know!

Hi everyone! I am thinking about starting to study for part 1 in September. I was wondering if anyone has a structured study plan that they wouldn't mind sharing with me so I can be on track along with any resources they used in their study schedule like Anki that would share :) I would really appreciate it!!

Hello Everyone

I need some advice please for NBEO Part 1 - ABS, I plan to sit for March 2026

I find myself really struggling with the Biochemistry / Physiology and Optics Portions consistently so any advice would really be appreciated!

I have tried to do Geo Optics and optics class notes between the last two attempts to no success.

I have also read remmington's anatomy which helped me boost my anatomy to the mid 70s.

• I have done KMK coaching
• I have also done other tutors

here are my last two rounds of boards for reference

**Overall Results**

* **August 2025:** 233 F (70%)

* **March 2026:** 254 F (73%)

**August 2025 Breakdown**

* **Anatomy:** 78

* **Biochemistry / Physiology:** 67

* **Immunology / Microbiology / Pathology:** 76

* **Optics:** 66

* **Pharmacology:** 75

**March 2026 Breakdown**

* **Anatomy:** 72

* **Biochemistry / Physiology:** 67

* **Immunology / Microbiology / Pathology:** 76

* **Optics:** 67

* **Pharmacology:** 83

**Score Progression**

| Subject | Aug 2025 | Mar 2026 | Change |

| :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: |

| Anatomy | 78 | 72 | -6 |

| Biochemistry / Physiology | 67 | 67 | 0 |

| Immunology / Microbiology / Pathology | 76 | 76 | 0 |

| Optics | 66 | 67 | +1 |

| Pharmacology | 75 | 83 | +8 |

Hello guys,

I took the OAT and I’m disappointed at my score: 290 TS 300 AA with a 3.2 GPA (Human Biology) . I do have a master’s degree with 3.9 GPA (Exercise Science) but I’m not sure which degree will have more weight. I have been out of college for a long time due to joining the military after college. I don’t have extracurriculars because I decided to pursue optometry while active duty. I was hoping for a higher score to compete with my GPA.

I’m applying to Berkeley (reach school I know), PUCO, NSUOCO, NOVA, SCO, UMSL.

I would have to retake the test to have a chance at those schools right?

I have an interview with CCO coming up and was wondering if anyone who has interviewed there could share how the interview was! What was the format like, and what kinds of questions did they ask? Any insight would be super helpful

I just was offered an interview at SCO and I have it scheduled for October 23(September and early October were booked already).

I’m worried that the interview is too late to be considered for scholarships or admittance. Can anyone vouch for their interview timing and or scholarship offer?

I would really appreciate it:)

Hi! I've currently applied to the University of Houston College of Optometry and it is definitely my top choice. I'm kind of concerned because my GPA and OAT scores are on the lower end. What do you think my chances of an interview are?

BS Neuroscience, 3.3 GPA

Lifelong Texas Resident

300 AA/290 TS

200+ Intern hours at a private practice, medical VA shadowing experience

Great LORs, VP of POPS, excellent personal statement, tons of non-optometry related volunteer hours, leadership positions. I am also very people-orientated and make easy connections.

I also applied to Southern College of Optometry, Midwestern Chicago College of Optometry, NECO, AZCOPT.

I appreciate all feedback. Thanks!

Hey everyone, I just received an interview invitation from NECO and I’m so excited!! For those who have interviewed with NECO before, do you have any tips or advice on what to expect or how to prepare?

I’m also debating between doing the interview virtually or traveling to Boston for the in-person interview. I’m leaning toward going in person, but I’m not sure yet. For anyone who has done both/has an opinion, did you feel like the in-person interview was worth traveling for? I’d love to hear your experiences!

Hi everyone, I just wanted to hear from people who have taken their board exams and how they feel about it. I just finished my first year of optometry school and we have finished all the optics classes. I am feeling very discouraged about the whole profession of optometry now because how much I struggled in optics. I was wondering if I should just stop here and not let myself finish optometry school just to get to boards and not be able to pass being that part 1 is very optics heavy. For those who have taken it, do you feel like it was doable for people who struggle in optics? Any advice would be great!

I want to do a complete career change… I have a Bachelors in Economics and Sociology, and an MBA. I have stats… but very little science classes… do I need to take science classes? Or can I just take the exam to apply to an Optometrist school?

Also in that note, how has everyone liked it? Stress levels? Is it what you imagined it? Better or worse? Would you recommend?

Thank you in advance

Hi. I need Plab2 August 2026 recalls. Can anyone please help?

Hey everyone!
I am currently entering my 4th and last year of my undergrad here in Canada and am considering optometry as a potential career option!

Optometry was actually one of the very first careers I wanted to go for back in high school but was dissuaded after finding out theres only one of two optometry schools in Canada that take only english speaking applicants— but every time I go get an eye check up I always get reminded of that first passion.

In uni i moved programs into a BSc in Medical Laboratory Science degree and just got certified as an MLT.

will this background help at all for optometry school? any transferable skills or knowledge? are there any other Canadian applicants that took the plunge to get certified in the states?

Im currently working as a phlebotomist at a community hospital right now— will that help my application at all?

thank you in advance!

I really want to go to SCO but am nervous my stats aren’t good enough

3.57 GPA.
330/320 OAT
around 3,000 hours working as a tech/optician/contact lens tech
Around 25 volunteer hours as a Spanish teacher

Please let me know what you think my chances are?!?!

Edit: I got offered an interview yesterday!!!!!!