Optometrist / Orthodontist?

For a future career, I'm strongly considering optometry or orthodontics.





What are the requirements for each? How much college time, what should you major in, and what kind of starting salary is there for each?





I'm currently a sophomore in high school, what should I do to prepare for this?





I originally really wanted to be a lawyer, but there's a surplus of them nowadays, and only the REALLY good ones get paid a lot, and I don't really think I'm suited to law.





I'll be happy for any advice anyone can give me.


Thanks in advance :)

Optometrist / Orthodontist?
Don't consider about salary or schooling. Most important thing, figure out if you love doing it. Go visit an optometrist, orthodontist, or one of the many different types of lawyers (criminal, corporate, real estate, etc). See what makes you passionate. Whatever your calling in life is, you'll make that job successful. If you go in just for the money or prestige, you'll just end up doing a mediocre job and no one wants to work with you or clients/patients don't want to go to you. And don't worry about surplus, there's a surplus of nearly every profession. There's certainly too many dentists and optometrists in my area. Then again, if you're passionate about what you do, you're good at it, and most importantly, treat people very nicely, people will come to you rather than the other doctor.





To answer your question real quick. Any 4 year major will do as long as you complete the pre-requisites. 1 yr of english, biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, calculus. Each school is a bit different, so you need to ask what other classes they may require. Some want pyschology, statistics, physiology, microbiology, or biochemistry in addition to the pre-requisites. In your junior year of college, you need to take the DAT for dentistry or OAT for optometry. Think of them like the SAT except more difficult.





Starting salary depends on where you live and whether you decide to work for someone or open your own practice. Usually around $50k as an associate doc working for someone for both. If you work hard and depending where, can be as high as 100-250k. Optometrists generally earn less in private practice than dentists.