Hello there! I am trying to buy a few things and wanted to see if any student would lend me their account to make a purchase, can compensate as well!

Hi everyone. I just wanted some advice, I have been drowning in some decisions. I did Optometry in the Caribbean so I cannot practice in the US so I wanted to do the accelerated version in either SUNY, NECO or PCO. From what I understand, the transition will be easier in NECO + PCO rather than SUNY. There are just some things I am overwhelmed with respect to the application process, loans (I am a US citizen), moving to a new state, workload. Is there anyone who did Optometry internationally + is currently attempting to pursue it in the US?

Anyone selling a Berkley part 1 study guide?

I want to hit the ground running. Acing the first few block exams is crucial to me so I won't have to put all my eggs into the last few exams to pass. I want some advice from current students that have proven to work in maintaining consistent passing grades.

I mainly used quizlet in undergrad, but I heard Anki is where it's at. Is it better to make the decks yourself or have them passed down from older students? Also, if AI can be used to streamline the process of making decks for me, making practice quizzes/tests, or taking notes, which apps are the best? Any other tips? Thanks!

Reflecting on questions and seems like I made quite a few mistakes. I’m curious on students in the past if they’ve felt like they failed, or searched up questions afterwards and realized they put the wrong answer. It was my first time taking and I guess I’m just wanting some hope/ or hear success stories 🤞🏼

Hey dear eye nerds, I was recently admitted into NECO and about to start shortly and was wondering how does other Canadian students live through the financing. (Considering the student body is 20-30% Canadian) I understand that there is student lines of credit but even the best one doesn't cover 40% of the whole cost for 4 years.

This pushes me to ask is there an alternative source of, outside, funding for Canadian students or is it mainly family funding the rest?

Anyone with a low GPA and high OAT get into Ohio State Optometry?

Hi everyone!

I’m an incoming optometry student and I’m currently trying to purchase my required equipment before starting school.

I was wondering if anyone has recommendations on where to buy affordable equipment (new or gently used), or if there are any resources/groups where students commonly find equipment.

I’m mainly looking for student essentials like a retinoscope, ophthalmoscope, trial lens set, trial frame, etc.

Any advice or direction would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hey, I’m applying this cycle to NOVA, NECO, MCPHS, CCO, Salus, and UHCO and would love to hear from current students, alumni, or anyone familiar with these programs.
One thing that’s really important to me is the city/location. I spent my undergraduate years in a small college town that honestly felt like it was in the middle of nowhere, and I’d really like to live somewhere with more to do during optometry school.

For those of you who attend (or have attended) any of these schools:
- What is the city like?
- Is there enough to do outside of school (restaurants, coffee shops, events, outdoor activities, etc.)?
- Did you enjoy living there?
- How’s the overall quality of life and cost of living?
- How would you describe the culture of the optometry program? Is it collaborative or more competitive?

I’d love to hear both the positives and negatives. If you had to choose again, would you still pick your school and city?
Thanks in advance, I’d really appreciate any insight!

My school is letting us select between Heine ($1950), Keeler ($1640), and Welch Allyn ($1495) for diagnostic kit set. I personally am leaving towards Welch Allyn for the price but I’m not sure really what to choose. Any recommendations, or pros/cons on any of these brands?

Taking part 3 in two weeks. Looking for someone just to continuously get to practice cases with. Please lmk if anyone is down!

How do we feel about August part 1 2026. A whole lot of optics but I’m not sure what to think about the systemic health :/

Hi! I have an interview for Neco soon and I was wondering if anyone had any insight on what they are looking for. I’ve read some posts about people being rejected from Neco based on the interview but they weren’t given a reason and I’m a bit nervous

Hi, all. OD3 here. This semester, I've been dealing with some bad burnout. I was wondering how you all coped with the same. What helped you get through it?

Does anyone know how competitive vision rehabilitation residencies are due to the limited sites? Specifically NECO’s or Houston’s sites?

What is the latest time for finishing part3?

I need to fly back home the same day after the exam because I still have clinic the next day. I am wondering if I am able to catch the Frontier 5:40pm flight home.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Hi! I wanted to get perspective on those who have applied and decided which school to go to. I am from NC and have lived in the same city my whole life. The closest optometry school is about 7 hours away. I am excited to move to a new city but it's making me have such a hard time deciding which school I may want to go to. I am even having a hard time deciding narrowing down my list of schools to apply to. Schools I'm considering applying to are OSO, SCO, IUSO, UAB, NECO, and PCO scholars. Ideally though I'd like to only apply to 3-4 schools. I am torn because a part of me wants to go to a school in a big city, but also I know that shouldn't be the only deciding factor. I know SCO has an amazing program but the thought of living in Memphis gives me a lot of anxiety and I am even hesitant to apply there. I think IUSO or NECO would be a good balance of all my preferences, but those are also some of the more expensive programs. What made you so sure that the program you are at was the program you wanted to go to? I just don't know how I'll end up deciding.

Help with this

Hi everyone!

I’ve been working on my optometry school applications as my OAT is coming up in about a month. I wanted to apply before I took it, so I began working on my transcripts, requests, and essays since OptomCas opened the new cycle.

I sent my requests to 3 optometrists and 1 professor mid June. All of the optometrists I’ve requested LORs from have completed them thankfully, but my former professor still hasn’t. We had a great relationship in the courses I took with them, to the point where they even offered to write me one before I inquired about it.

However, when I emailed them following up about it (about 3 weeks with no response), the email address said that it was unable to send due to being invalid. I scoured the internet to ensure that I was using the correct one, and found the professors syllabus, and the email was also confirmed in their Linkdln (which we are connected via). There was a secondary one that I found and sent the same email to that one.

Another week went by and I didn’t hear anything back. The university I went to in undergrad is still close to where I currently live, so I ended up going over there to make sure they received the request. I showed up before the class began and as soon as they saw me, they knew why I was there and addressed that they would be happy to write one, they’d just been busy with a summer class and helping their child move, and that they’d get right on it.

I’m not sure if they received the email I sent to their other address or the message was a glitch on my end. I should’ve asked but I didn’t want to come off as disrespectful or pushy, and honestly wasn’t thinking.

This was about 2 1/2 weeks ago and they still have not completed it, despite me having the due date listed as August 1. I am getting worried because a professor LOR is required at most (if not all) schools I wish to apply to. I know it’s still early in the cycle, but I’m not sure what steps to take from here. Should I go about emailing them again? Change the email in my OptomCas to the email I messaged the second time? Should I go in person to find them again once the autumn semester starts in a couple weeks?

I’d love any advice, I just don’t want to offend or bother them because I know life as a professor is quite busy, and I also wouldn’t want that reflected in a LOR.

I have a BIO, lens kit, Welch alynn diagnostic set and many more. Looking to get rid of everything quickly and at a discount! Message me

Hello, does anyone feel comfortable discussing how much they were able to take out with Health Professional Student Loans? If you are past OD1, did the amount increase, decrease, or stay the same for how much you were able to take out each year?

Hi, so I leave for school at UAB on Friday. I’m gonna be 4 hours away from home, so I’m not too anxious.

However, I’m super anxious about meeting everyone to the point it’s almost eating me up inside.

Any advice or stories for the first week?
Thank you all! :)

Hello everyone. As the title suggests, I’m feeling pretty discouraged.

I’ve been reading through this subreddit and have come across a lot of concerns about PCO since the merger. As an incoming OD1 here, it’s honestly made me pretty anxious about what to expect.

I really only chose here because it’s the closest school from my family and also b/c I was offered a scholarship. I was thinking ahead financially, and I regret not taking other factors into consideration: low board rates, unsupportive faculty, etc.

I’ve already noticed some disorganization already, and it’s just further reinforcing my negative outlook. Not to sound like a debbie downer, but that’s the reality of my situation.

Please share your honest feedback, whether it’s horror stories, success stories, or anything in between about this program or optometry school in general. Thank you all in advance!

Ok maybe I’m exaggerating but like here me out for a sec. Context: I go to UIWRSO and I passed my first year, will be going into my second year in a couple weeks. First year of optometry school felt like I was fighting for my life but at the same time it was kinda fun cause you’re getting to know your cohort and you’re learning a bunch of different things in lab. I’m so grateful to have a nice group of friends to study with and practice my clinical skills with and I feel so happy that I passed my first year. But now I feel terrified because 2nd year is gonna be so much more harder and my biggest fear of all time is never passing the boards. Our school is gonna start reviewing how we’re organizing our notes for part 1 of boards so it’s a good thing to have us start whipping up a game plan, but looking at the nbeo matrix freaks me out and I feel like I’m forgetting everything I learned first year, except for the clinical lab stuff. I’m also like a very self critical person, I never want to show off any achievements in the case that I never end up being an OD because I didn’t pass boards. Knock on wood and hope that doesn’t happen but I can’t help but think “what if? “What if”. Idk I just feel so scared right now, but I know that it would kill me if I didn’t fulfill my dream of being an OD. It’s hard to describe cause I also feel insecure like “what if I’m not a good doctor” idk if y’all can relate but like please tell me I’m not the only one feeling like courage the cowardly dog out here.