Hi, I’m Ben and I’ve applied to Optometry school three times and taken the OAT a total of 4 times. It was all worth it now that I’ve been accepted to UC Berkeley’s Optometry program. I graduated back in 2010 and wanted to take a year off but applied to see if luck would get me in. Procrastination had my number and called me for the next two years and after the second year my chances started to look bleak. Here are some of the things I learned to improve my application:
- Talk to counselors at your school of choice
After my second rejection from Berkeley, I asked for a counseling appointment over the phone to find out why. It seemed pointless because I already knew why but I did it anyway. The schools appreciate that you care enough to take advantage of this option. My academics (GPA) was a huge red flag and they were not confident I could even pass their program if they were to give me a chance. The counselors at these graduate programs carry a lot of weight as they are likely first in line to approve of your application. I had my counseling appointment with the actual person who went over my application so she was very familiar with me. She mentioned my great letters of recommendation, my extensive experience, research, and leadership but explained to me that I would need to prove to her that I can graduate from a rigorous doctorate program. I needed to fix my academics and I had a few options: taking more classes and acing all of them, scoring a higher OAT score to compensate for my low GPA, or spend two years doing a post bacc. Given my options, I went all in on the OAT. She recommended I take time off work and focus on getting her the bare minimum OAT score she can clear my application to the interview phase. Your counselor will remember you when they go through the application process again. They will root for you and get you that chance that you would not have otherwise received. Take every opportunity to connect with them and let them get to know you whether it is a school tour or a phone conversation. I promise you will not regret it. - Know what you bring to the table
I’m sure you are familiar with the application questions and you know they always ask about what makes you stand out. Having an excellent answer to this question will really make you stand out to admissions and also help them choose you over another applicant. I took a Myers Briggs Test as advised by the great admissions counselors at Marshall B. Ketchum University’s Optometry School. Here is a direct link to the article: http://optometryadmissions.com/2013/09/04/favorite-personal-essay-and-interview-question-what-will-you-bring-to-the-table/. This test really helped me with interviews and admissions questions. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help with this entire process. My goal this past year was to get an interview. All I wanted was a chance for them to meet me in person because there is only so much you can show on paper. Doctor qualities are often difficult to demonstrate and competition is tough. If your application has holes such as mine did, you must improve all other aspects of your application. - Act the part
Shadow multiple doctors and keep shadowing. When you think you have seen it all, shadow some more and ask more questions. It is not important for you to learn about the different diseases or practice different procedures. Instead, ask questions about the profession. Are you ready to do this for the rest of your life? Would you enjoy the daily task of meeting new people everyday? How would you handle the responsibility of being someone’s doctor? Do you enjoy solving problems? Do you have the patience and willingness to care for others? These are the questions you should find answers to when you are shadowing. If you know for sure this is what you will do for the rest of your life, great for you! For me it took a while for me to be sure that this is something I can commit to. If you understand your profession it will show in your application. Your story should prove without a doubt that you are committed and that is exactly what they want. Demonstrating your commitment to the profession will make up for your other deficiencies. Engulf yourself into the profession you want and take every opportunity to learn about the profession. I’ve worked at an optometry office and continued to shadow the past three years. It is important to understand what you are getting yourself into, to see where the profession is headed, to see the good and the bad. Knowing this and talking about it in your admissions essays will make you stand out. The past year, I attended Vision Expo West in Las Vegas to sit in on free education courses and learn about case studies and the interesting things you don't normally get to see from shadowing. Just a little something extra I can talk about to show my dedication to the profession. - Stay positive
People that know me know I tend to be overly optimistic. I heard before that schools like it when applicants do not give up. It shows your dedication to the school, as well as, your desire to join the profession. I took that and ran with it for the past three years. Do not take rejection so hard and treat it as it is: a chance to reflect on ways to improve. Listen to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 6 Rules for Success speech. Just because. It gets stressful graduating from college with no job just to move home and find a way to pay off student loans. Trust yourself, keep your goal in mind, don’t neglect your family, and make time for friends. Get a clearer picture of what you need to do and get the help you need to get you there. - Exercise
This is a fun yet important point because having a hobby will help tremendously with stress management and your application. It can prove you have team working capabilities and let them know you are able to balance your time. I began lifting weights in college in order to lose weight and attract the ladies (holla holla). Besides all of the obvious benefits for your health and life, I had no idea how much it helps mental health. It is great for stress relief and gives you an outlet to escape your daily troubles. Weightlifting allows me to transfer my negative energy into productivity, it constantly challenges me, it gives me confidence, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Everyone needs something to find balance and reduce stress. Weightlifting might not be for you. It is an easy way to get in shape and to connect with others. I’ve dragged all of my friends with me to the gym and instead of catching up while drinking a 20 oz cup of sugar with boba, we hang out for 2 hours in the gym. It helps you get into shape for sports as well! Becoming more athletic opens a lot of doors and opportunity. I know a lot of people (Olivia mainly) who add extra stress on themselves and are really hard on themselves. It is not healthy and everyone should have an outlet to relieve stress!
These steps helped me be the positive person I am. I’ve learned a lot these years out of school. I appreciate and cherish the time spent with my family as they get older and I get busier. I also try to spend more time with friends and always have a list of people I wish to give back to. It is important to volunteer and use that extra time to fill that good karma meter! With smiles and a great attitude, I easily make friends and impress patients at work. This led me to plenty of compliments and a better relationship with the bosses which came back to reward me when they wrote my letter of recommendation. I like to joke that I made it into optometry school through the backdoor because I had terrible academics but glowing letters of recommendation, work experience, and application essays. People notice hard work and it will be rewarded. Olivia is one of the hardest workers I know and she is a great example of what can be accomplished. On top of worrying about herself, she sacrifices her own sleep and well being to help others. It is for these reasons she stood out while applying and why she is attending one of the top schools in the nation. The hard work and extra time dedicated to helping others will pop out on your applications and that is what they are looking for in a doctor. It is better to demonstrate how much you like to help others than saying it. The admissions are looking for great doctors. They are not necessarily looking for the most academically strong. The academically strong just pass the first test and get an interview because they can survive the curriculum. If you were rejected because of weak academics from undergrad then follow this advice. It is weird that we get accepted to these types of graduate programs based on our undergraduate performance because it is completely different. It is much more team oriented and less competitive. Everyone is striving to be the best doctor they can be and your peers are there to support you and make you better. Everything you learn has greater importance because you might need to know it when providing care.
Short version: I basically contacted the school to let them know I was very interested in attending there. I compensated for my poor GPA by scoring higher on the admissions test. I changed my essay responses to emphasize my knowledge of the profession and dedication to it. I did not have some tragedy or any life changing event that made me pursue Optometry so I simply wrote about how I researched the profession, jumped into it, and loved it. If you love dentistry and put the work in to prove to them that you do, schools will appreciate that quality. Best of luck to you!
Spurs 2014 NBA Champions**!
**Sorry I took awhile on posting his post. He wrote this months ago!-Olivia
