Let me first tell you a little about myself. This is my first time posting here on OptiBoard, but I found this site while doing many, many weeks of research and have finally decided to post with my questions.
I'm originally from Pennsylvania. While there I was pursuing a career in Small Business Management. I was about 12 credits away from attaining my associate's when I moved to West Virginia with my now husband. He is working his dream profession as a professional firefighter/emt.
I put things on hold and went to look for work. I wound up working a job I never thought I would be in. I landed a job at an optometry practice with 4 different offices. They trained me in being an optician as well as a technician. I fell in love with the field. I started doing my research, but was severely disappointed when I realized where the closest schools were. The closest to me now would be in Elkins Park, PA (Salus University) and that's about 3.5 hours away. I decided to look into other options and after buying a foreclosure and getting a wonderful deal on it I obtained my Real Estate License. I did this for a year and was immensely displeased with the career. It just wasn't for me. On paper it looked great for me, but at the end of the day I just didn't enjoy it.
I went back to working small jobs and continued to look for something closer to home that paid better. Well wouldn’t you know about a month ago now I was able to get a job as an optician again and this time 20 minutes closer to my home. Not to mention I work with veterans and it is so gratifying. I've been able to talk to the optometrists there and one in particular has really made an effort to inform me and direct me.
So I did my research again and this time thoroughly. I now know what it would take for me to get where I want to be. My goal is to work where I am now or somewhere similar. I very much enjoy working with the vets and being able to help them would make my day every day.
This is where I'm at..I understand I would have to take all the prerequisite courses and finish my undergrad. I thought about switching to biology or chemistry, but I feel having my business degree along with the prerequisites for optometry school will allow me to stand out amongst the rest. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I could even see opening my own practice down the line, so I believe this would be a good route to go.
I guess that brings me to my questions.
I plan to finish my undergrad with a nearby university and then hopefully I'll be able to get in a school close enough for my husband and I to travel between. It won't be an easy 4 years away, but I know it'll better our lives and our future children’s.
***So can anyone tell me what it was like at any of the following colleges/universities? (Your experience on and off campus?)
I plan to tour all of these, but hearing first hand is always nice.
- Pennsylvania College of Optometry
-SUNY
-OSU
-Southern College of Optometry
-The New England College of Optometry
***Also, how long did it take you to pay off your student loans (let's not add in undergrad)?
***Do optometry schools look down on any community college credits (I would be transferring, but I'm sure they would still see that I did). I maintained a 3.8 in community college and never received anything lower than a B.
***Do you see any flaws in my plan at all?
Thank you for taking the time to read and hopeful respond; I greatly appreciate it.
IDA JADE
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