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Optometry
The path to optometry isn’t always a straight line. For some students at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Drexel University, it begins with a plan for medical school, months of Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) preparation, and ultimately, the realization that another healthcare profession was a better fit.
In this third installment of our three-part series exploring the different admissions tests PCO accepts, we talked to a third-year Doctor of Optometry student who initially prepared for the MCAT before discovering that optometry was the right path for them.
Preparing for a career in healthcare involves more than just taking the MCAT - it’s also about gaining firsthand experience and exploring the professions you’re considering. In this Q&A, a current student shares advice for prospective students on how clinical exposure, patient care experiences, and conversations with current students can help make an informed decision.
Doctor of Optometry Student - Class of 2029
When did you first decide you wanted to pursue a healthcare career?
From a young age, I knew I wanted a career that would allow me to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I was inspired by the positive impact healthcare professionals had on their patients and wanted to be someone who could help others maintain their health and independence. I have a great optometrist who always took the time to educate me about my eyes and genuinely cared about my vision. Watching the difference they made in their patients’ lives inspired me to pursue optometry and showed me how rewarding it could be to combine science, technology and patient care to improve someone’s quality of life.
At the time you took the MCAT, what career path were you planning to pursue (e.g., medical school, a specific specialty)
Although I had been interested in optometry since I was young, I didn’t want to completely rule out other healthcare careers. Taking the MCAT allowed me to keep multiple pathways open while I explored all the options available. As I continued shadowing and learning about different professions, I became confident that optometry was the right fit for me.
What factors led you to reconsider medical school and explore optometry instead?
Shadowing different healthcare professions was the biggest factor in helping me decide to pursue optometry. Shadowing different optometrists in a variety of settings made me realize that I was drawn to optometry because it offered the aspects of patient care I value most. I enjoyed seeing first-hand the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients, diagnose and manage ocular disease, and make an immediate impact on someone’s vision and daily life.
What advice would you give to students who are preparing for the MCAT but are unsure whether medicine is the right fit?
I would encourage students to remember that preparing for and taking the MCAT doesn’t mean you’ve committed to becoming a physician – it simply gives you another opportunity to explore a healthcare career. It is okay to be uncertain, and it’s important to give yourself the time and experiences needed to make an informed decision. I would recommend shadowing professionals in multiple healthcare fields, talking with current students, and asking different providers what their day-to-day work actually looks like. Try to look beyond the title of the profession and think about what kind of patient interactions, work environment, and lifestyle you see yourself enjoying in the long run.
My biggest piece of advice is to keep an open mind and not feel pressured to follow the path you originally planned. It is okay to change directions as you learn more about yourself and the profession. The goal isn’t simply to get into a healthcare program, it is to find a career that aligns your passions, strengths and the impact you want to have on your community and patients you will serve.
What experiences would you recommend students seek out before deciding between medicine and optometry?
I would encourage students to gain as much firsthand clinical exposure as possible. Spending time in a clinical setting allows you to see what a provider’s day-to-day responsibilities are really like, how they interact with patients, and what the pace of the profession is. If possible, observe multiple professions in different environments, such as private practice, hospitals, community health centers, specialty clinics, etc. Every practice is different and seeing that variety can help you determine which type of environment best fits your personality and career goals.
I also recommend finding opportunities to work directly with patients, like volunteering or working as a technician. These experiences help develop patient care skills and give you a better understanding of what patient care is truly like. Speaking directly to current students of programs you are interested in is also valuable. Ask them about their education, what they had wish they had known before applying, and what they struggled with.
I also think it’s important to reflect on what you personally want from your career. Ask yourself questions like: do I enjoy building long-term relationships with patients? Am I interested in preventative care? What kind of work-life balance is important to me? The answers to those questions can often point you toward the profession that best aligns with your interests and values.
Ultimately, my advice is to take advantage of every opportunity to observe, ask questions, and experience healthcare firsthand. The more exposure you have before applying, the more confident you’ll be that you’ve chosen the profession that fits you.
