Successful Applicants - Optometry

Q: What extracurriculars did you participate in?
A:

• PHMI Pre-Health Mentor
• Calculus Tutor at the Dolciani Math Center
• Pre-Optometry Club Member and E-Board Member
• Optometric Assistant at multiple locations
• Shadowing at multiple settings, within and outside of Optometry
• CSTEP Participant (Summer Academic Program, Internship, and Eye-Care Summer Camp)
• Administrative Assistant
• Volunteer at Rainbow Vision events, Be My Eyes virtual assistant, Day Care Center, and Community Church

Q: How many hours on average did you spend studying for your courses per week?
A: Around 30-40 hours a week

Q: Did you use a test prep course?
A: I mainly used OAT Booster and followed their 12-week study schedule. I also used Kaplan and OAT Destroyer for additional practice questions.

Q: Did you take a GAP year? If so, why?
A: No, I did not take a gap year, but I graduated in the Fall, so I had around 8 months between graduating and starting optometry school.

Q: What do you consider to be your strengths in your application?
A: In addition to having a competitive GPA and OAT score, my wide range of experiences and personal statement strengthened my application. I also applied very early (within the first 3 weeks of the cycle opening) and was among the first in the cycle to be interviewed at SUNY Optometry, my top choice school, which further improved my chances.

Q: Did you apply nationally?
A: Yes, I applied to and received acceptances from SUNY Optometry, Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, and New England College of Optometry.

Q: How did the Pre-Health Advising Office help you achieve your goals?
A: I received a Committee Letter from the Pre-Health Office, which prepared me in writing my personal statement and arranging my experiences and application early. The Pre-Health Office was also helpful in providing feedback and support along the way, as well as performing mock interviews with applicants. The abundant assistance from the Pre-Health Office made me feel prepared when applying and interviewing.

Q: What advice do you have for others?
A: Shadow, shadow, shadow! It is through shadowing that I was introduced to the field of Optometry and realized the importance of the profession in improving people's lives. Another tip is to proofread your application, especially your personal statement, multiple times, and apply as early as you can. I also recommend that you take advantage of programs provided by Optometry schools before applying.

Q: What extracurriculars did you participate in?
A: I was involved in numerous shadowing and internship opportunities that pertained to the field of optometry. In addition, I joined the board of several clubs, such as Teleshadowing, the Macaulay Pre-Health Club and the Project Hope Club. In my last year at Hunter, I became a Peer TA for organic chemistry and held office hours weekly. I was also a TA at Catholic Charities of New Orleans and prepared immigrants for their Naturalization exam through Zoom. Aside from my activities at Hunter, I am a former figure skater and volunteered as an Assistant Skating Coach.

Q: How many hours on average did you spend studying for your courses per week?
A: Thirty hours per week

Q: Did you use a test prep course?
A: I did not take an OAT prep course. I mostly reviewed slides and notes from my pre-req courses, searched up videos for content I forgot or didn’t know, and used books I bought for practice problems. I bought the OAT Kaplan book and several books from OAT Destroyer. In total, I had and spent less than 8 weeks to study for the exam.

Q: Did you take a GAP year? If so, why?
A: No.

Q: What do you consider to be your strengths in your application?
A: Aside from my GPA (4.0) and OAT score (99th percentile), I have had numerous clinical experiences in the field of optometry that helped me learn about numerous eye conditions. Despite applying as a sophomore, I acquired ample quality experiences in community service and in clinical settings and was also able to demonstrate leadership.

Q: Did you apply nationally?
A: No, I only applied to SUNY Optometry because I knew I wanted to stay in New York.

Q: How did the Pre-Health Advising Office help you achieve your goals?
A: I have worked with Kemile Jackson during the entire application process. She edited my personal statement, work & experience responses, and the secondaries. Upon receiving an interview invite, Nina Ledis had a mock interview with me, which was very helpful.

Q: What advice do you have for others?
A: As a pre-health student at Hunter, we are just one of hundreds of other pre-health students. As such, it is important for individuals to stay on top of their deadlines and responsibilities, whether it is studying for rigorous science classes or fulfilling the requirements for the Committee Letter. Using calendars and meticulously filling out each day’s goals will help students stay on track.

Q: What extracurriculars did you participate in?
A:

• Research intern at Weill Cornell Medicine and also presented at their annual research retreat.
• Lead program coordinator for Jewish-Health and Former Soviet Union Club Pre-health Speaker Series
• Part of leadership committee for Former Soviet Union Club and Russian fellowship at Hunter Hillel
• Volunteer/shadowing at Vision World (Optometry Practice)
• Volunteer for Be My Eyes - assisted the visually impaired virtually on an as-needed basis.
• Medical assistant at Greater NY Ophthalmology (Medical Practice)
• Biology tutor
• Full time researcher at The Cancer Prevention Center in Tel Aviv, Israel
• Volunteer at Jamaica Hospital Cardiac Cath laboratory
• Virtual shadowing programs (ClubMedShu/Webshadowers)
• Volunteer at Lenox Hill Hospital Cardiac Cath Lab
• Research intern at Gastroenterology and Hepatology Divisions at Weill Cornell Medicine
• Volunteer at Pre-Health Mentoring Initiative as well as Pre-health Ambassador
• Scribe/volunteer at Crescent Medical Center (Medical Practice)

Q: How many hours on average did you spend studying for your courses per week?
A: I spent about 20-25 hours per week studying for my courses.

Q: Did you use a test prep course?
A: Yes, I used the Princeton Review course.

Q: Did you take a GAP year? If so, why?
A: I took one gap year before matriculating so that I would have plenty of time to refine my application. During my year off, I was very intentional in pursuing opportunities that would provide me with insight into the practice of primary eye care and that would enable me to fully understand and utilize all the facets that optometry has to offer. I had the privilege of working alongside three well-established physicians who graduated from SUNY College of Optometry during the majority of my gap year. This experience enriched my knowledge and skills, fueled my passion for optometry, and provided me with confidence as I enter my first year.

Q: What do you consider to be your strengths in your application?
A: I consider my strengths to be my academic standing and my wide range of extracurricular activities that showcase my excitement for eye care, effective leadership, and dedication to community service. Throughout this process, I have been able to reflect on my experiences and effectively apply them to the field of optometry, which has made me a well-rounded applicant. When the time came to prepare for interviews and to write my essays, engaging in self-reflection was the key to effectively convey my reasons and motivations for pursuing optometry school.

Q: Did you apply nationally?
A: No, I applied to all the optometry schools in the Northeast.

Q: How did the Pre-Health Advising Office help you achieve your goals?
A: I cannot thank Kemile, Veronica, and Nina enough for all the dedication, encouragement, and advice that they provided me. They have been with me every step of the way from my freshman year chemistry course to my optometry school interviews. Not only did they help me understand this application process and all its intricacies, but they also inspired my confidence as a student and as a future professional. By always sharing constructive criticism, they helped strengthen my application. I can say with certainty that I would not be in my current position without them.

Q: What advice do you have for others?
A: Your time at Hunter College is precious. You are undergoing a time in which you discover who you are as a person and a student. Do what you love with your time because it shows schools that you are a well-rounded person who is able to manage your time while still staying true to yourselves. Seek out opportunities that showcase those passions and truly take the time to self-reflect on how these experiences have shaped you as an individual and your desire to attend optometry school. Academic achievement will not take you all the way! Your experiences and extracurriculars are where you get to demonstrate your diverse set of attributes and how they will shape you as a future optometrist. On that note, don’t be afraid to go after those experiences early on in your undergraduate career. Ideally, you want quality experiences that span over time rather than shorter ones, as those will be much harder to reflect on. Give yourself that room to take things step by step and to start early.

Another recommendation is to seek proper guidance. The pre-health office is one of your biggest assets! They are there to help you every step of the way; don't be afraid to ask! They can help you with applications and finding the right experiences that fall in line with your interests. Most importantly, they are there to support you when you are struggling.

My biggest piece of advice is to take care of yourself every step of the way. Time management should include time for your interests outside of school. Taking care of yourself also means being willing to step down from certain commitments when you take on more than you can handle. Be sure to evaluate your priorities every step of the way. Lastly, your journey is your own, so focus on your timeline. Comparing yourself to others only undermines your confidence. Remember that you got this far and that you are already resilient.

Stay positive, and good luck to all of you!

Q: What extracurriculars did you participate in?
A:

• Served as the Vice President of the Pre-Optometry Society
• Participated in CSTEP at SUNY Optometry
• Volunteered at Mount Sinai Hospital
• Mentored pre-health students at Hunter through the Pre-Health Mentoring Initiative
• Interned at the Lighthouse Guild
• Worked as an ophthalmic technician
• Shadowed multiple optometrists who worked in primary care and various other specialties

Q: How many hours on average did you spend studying for your courses per week?
A: On average, I studied around 25-30 hours per week for my courses.

Q: Did you use a test prep course?
A: I self-studied using the Kaplan books, OAT Destroyer, and Chad's videos, and took multiple full-length practice exams to prepare for the OAT exam.

Q: Did you take a GAP year? If so, why?
A: Yes, I took a gap year to gain more experience within the field and travel before going back to school. During my gap year, I continued to work at the clinic where I was employed during college. I also served as a Hunter College TA for Introduction to Biology Lab.

Q: What do you consider to be your strengths in your application?
A: I believe that my extracurriculars and experiences in the profession were the strengths of my application, and I was able to draw upon these experiences in both my writing and during the interview day. Another highlight in my application was my study abroad experience, which although it did not pertain to healthcare, served as a point of interest during multiple interviews.

Q: Did you apply nationally?
A: I only applied to programs in the Northeast.

Q: How did the Pre-Health Advising Office help you achieve your goals?
A: The Pre-Health Advising Office offered me guidance throughout my application process. I discovered multiple opportunities through the Pre-Med Listserv, which allowed me to gain exposure and learn more about the profession. Furthermore, during the application process, I met with my advisor, Ms. Jackson, on a monthly basis to review my personal statement, experiences, and secondary essays. During the interview season, Ms. Mitchell offered multiple mock interviews for me to practice, which allowed me to feel at ease during my interviews.

Q: What advice do you have for others?
A: Seek out opportunities, join the Pre-Optometry Society, and shadow and/or work in an optometric setting! There are several resources through optometry schools, the Pre-Med List-Serv, and the Pre-Optometry Society. These experiences will not only allow you to learn more about the profession but also help you solidify your decision. Learn to balance and allocate your time for not only your studies and extracurriculars, but also for breaks in between. Lastly, do not hesitate to ask for help; you have the Pre-Health Office, the Pre-Optometry Society members, Pre-Health mentors, admissions officers, and multiple resources at hand.

Q: How many hours on average did you spend studying for your courses per week?
A: On average, I spent around 40-45 hours a week studying for my courses.

Q: Did you use a test prep course?
A: I self-studied for the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) using the OAT Destroyer books, Kaplan practice exams, Chad's Videos, and Crack OAT practice exams.

Q: Did you take a GAP year? If so, why?
A: No, I did not take a gap year.

Q: What do you consider to be your strengths in your application?
A: Some of the strong points in my application include my experiences at different optometric practices. Shadowing, interning, and working at different locations have helped me learn more about how optometrists vary in practice and at times collaborate with ophthalmologists to treat mutual patients.

Q: Did you apply nationally?
A: No. SUNY Optometry was my first choice school.

Q: How did the Pre-Health Advising Office help you achieve your goals?
A: The Pre-Health Advising Office contributed greatly to my ability of achieving my goals. I would schedule appointments with my advisor at least once every semester and more if I had any questions. They assessed my performance in courses, guided me through which classes I needed to take, and discussed effective preparation methods for the OAT. Additionally, they were also essential during my application process when I had the opportunity to review my complete application with my advisor prior to submitting it.

Q: What advice do you have for others?
A: Take advantage of all of the opportunities that Hunter College has to offer. Networking and getting out of your comfort zone will make your experience at Hunter a very productive and memorable one. This of course comes second to being on top of your courses and making sure that your grades are at or better than your target schools' expectations.

Q: What extracurriculars did you participate in?
A:

• Volunteer at the Adult Day Care Program at Lighthouse Guild
• Pre-Health Mentor at Hunter College
• Extensive shadowing experiences at several private optometry clinics
• Intern at the low vision clinic at the Lighthouse Guild
• Member of the Pre-Optometry Club at Hunter College
• CSTEP programs at SUNY College of Optometry (Winter Internship and the Summer Academic Program)
• Undergraduate research at Hunter College

Q: How many hours on average did you spend studying for your courses per week?
A: On average, about 20-25 hours a week.

Q: Did you use a test prep course?
A: I self-studied using the OAT destroyer, Chad’s videos, Kaplan OAT Prep, and notes from my undergraduate classes. By the last month before the OAT, I started to take about 1-2 full-length practice exams weekly. I also took advantage of going to my local library to find the Kaplan prep books of the most recent years and utilizing those full-length practice tests.

Q: Did you take a GAP year? If so, why?
A: Yes. I decided to take a gap year to study for the OAT, work in the field, and travel a bit before starting optometry school. During my gap year, I started working as a clinical research coordinator at the Edward S. Harkness Institute at Columbia University, where I was exposed to optometry in the light of clinical research. I would say that this experience definitely helped strengthen my application and also solidify my decision to pursue a career in optometry.

Q: What do you consider to be your strengths in your application?
A: My application strengths were the volunteering and research experiences that I had, along with the strong recommendation letters I received from professors and doctors I had the privilege of working with. My GPA and the preparation I had for interviews were also of importance during the application process.

Q: Did you apply nationally?
A: I applied to SUNY College of Optometry only.

Q: How did the Pre-Health Advising Office help you achieve your goals?
A: The Pre-Health Advising Office assisted me since day one. During my first year, I met with several advisors to prepare me for applying to the CSTEP program at SUNY Optometry. I was also connected with a Pre-Health mentor and other students who were interested in optometry. Throughout the subsequent years, I worked closely with Nina and Kemile while applying to different opportunities I was interested in (some available through the Pre-Health Listserv) and to keep me on track for being a well-qualified applicant for optometry school. Lastly, even during my gap year, I kept in contact with the advisors who helped me in improving my application, personal statement, and readiness for interviews. I felt thoroughly supported throughout all my time at Hunter.

Q: What advice do you have for others?
A: Always seek help when needed; you are not alone. Being a pre-med student can be very overwhelming, especially in an environment full of high-achieving students. However, do not forget that there are pre-health advisors and mentors for all subjects to help guide you. Join clubs related to the field you are interested in to meet other students who are in the same position as you. Lastly, do not compare yourself to others because everyone has a unique journey and that is what makes you and your application special!

Q: What extracurriculars did you participate in?
A: I participated in SHPEP, C-STEP at SUNY Optometry, and NYU HCOP. I also volunteered at my church as a Sunday school teacher, served at SOON Movement as a small group leader, volunteered as a volunteer outreach leader, and shadowed 3 different practices.

Q: How many hours on average did you spend studying for your courses per week?
A: I probably spent around 2-3 hours a day except for weekends, and if any exams were coming up, I would probably double the time I spent studying for that exam.

Q: Did you use a test prep course?
A: I did. I used OAT Bootcamp, Coursesaver, and Kaplan.

Q: Did you take a GAP year? If so, why?
A: No, I did not take a gap year.

Q: What do you consider to be your strengths in your application?
A: I consider my consistency and ability to convey my experiences a strength. I also think that I had to develop my organizational skills to support my journey to get into optometry school.

Q: Did you apply nationally?
A: I personally only applied to SUNY Optometry, but I would recommend others apply to a number of optometry schools.

Q: How did the Pre-Health Advising Office help you achieve your goals?
A: The Pre-Health community kept me on track for all the application milestones, supported my application through the committee letter, gave me advice, sent out many opportunities for me to apply to, and helped me practice for my interview. I appreciate all their hard work and effort; I sincerely could not have done this without them.

Q: What advice do you have for others?
A: I would advise others to create a timeline for taking their classes and extracurriculars they plan to do. I also suggest asking for help as early as possible, and to apply to as many opportunities as possible.