Should you take a Gap Year? | Gap year experience from an Optometry Student

[@shonellben3300]

I love your channel Khanh I’m barely a sophomore in my undergraduate 😭 Have my career set on Optometry to help out the Navajo Reservation ❤️

[@toritruong1187]

Thank you for your videos! I'm only an undergraduate freshman, but I've been leaning towards optometry. I started wearing glasses in 2nd grade, but I neglected to go to the eye doctor, so I only went maybe 2-4 times since. I went to Walmart, but I've recently been going to Costco. I was actually supposed to work with the optometrist at Costco, but COVID delayed it :( and I want to help my dad cause he has diabetes and his eye vision is worsening.

[@legume2316]

Omg I needed this video I was debating whether or not I should take a gap year!!

[@KhanhTon]

Do whatever you think is best for you!! :)

[@ramshaessa3727]

Your friend mentioned a company that connect graduates with companies. Can you please post the link to it below?

[@FalaMattie]

Hey Khanh! I love your content. I am super interested in optometry school, but I have a pretty wicked case of amblyopia. Have you seen success in students with amblyopia or strabismus in optometry school? I’ve found very few articles about it.

[@KhanhTon]

Having amblyopia does not mean you won’t make it in optometry school. We have a few students with amblyopia in our class!

[@nicolleesaysxo]

hi khanh, I was wondering if you can do a video on what to expect/what to do to prepare for the first day of optometry school! I'm starting optometry school this upcoming semester and I feel like I should strategically utilize my summer to prep for the rigorous 4 years. what did you do the summer before entering?

[@KhanhTon]

That sounds like a great idea! I'll try to put one together if I have time! Our summer semester has been PACKED so it might be a while :)

[@lydieguercin6829]

To reach out to the optometrist for volunteering, do you recommend going up to them in person (and how would you do that in a busy office) or do you recommend emailing?

[@estevanpakozdi1346]

Lydie Guercin Every time I ask to shadow I go into the office and talk to someone. I take my CV with me as well.

[@KhanhTon]

I recommend emailing them! If you don’t receive an answer maybe try calling!

[@theteenietina]

I saw on another video that you took your OAT the summer after junior year. So how did you balance studying for the OAT and working on your personal statement and application?

[@KhanhTon]

I planned out what I need/want to accomplish in a day and try my best to stick to it! :)

[@nailak7948]

I want to apply to optometry school however due to personal circumstance of clinical depression; I didn’t receive the best grades and some classes were repeated; should I just quit and find a different career?

[@KhanhTon]

Hello, I’m sorry that you didn’t receive the grades you wanted in those classes and i hope that you are receiving treatment and have a strong support system to combat your depression. Despite this, I think if you are truly passionate about optometry you should give it another try. There are many avenues to get into optometry school. You should reach out to administration about your circumstances and get their professional opinion.

[@issasecretsecret7814]

im still confused as for what year do you get in if you take a gap year. If i take a gap year after my senior year (2020) and rolling admissions start July 1st for some then im missing 2021 cycle correct? so if i apply summer of 2021 then ill be entering into 2022 cycle??

[@KhanhTon]

If you apply SUMMER 2021, you are applying for the class of 2026 which starts in FALL of 2022.

[@issasecretsecret7814]

Khanh Ton oh okay so if i apply summer of 2022 im entering in 2023 okay makes sense! thank you