This article serves as a guide for crafting a winning personal statement for optometry school admissions.
The goal of the personal essay is to show the admissions committee what kind of person you are, what motivates you, and why you should be accepted into the program.
Your GPA and test scores will speak for themselves. However, the personal statement is your opportunity to share information about yourself that will make the reader think, “I like her!”
1. Don’t Be Generic.
Yes, these stories will help others understand why they should become an optometrist. But don’t dwell on it too long because everyone has a story about why they became an optometrist.
You may not even remember yours. So just mention your story briefly and then move on to the good parts—what have you done since becoming an optometrist to learn about or invest in the optometric profession?
What are your goals? What are your dreams? That is what readers really want to hear about.
2. Don’t Tell Them; Show Them!
It may seem like telling your story is all there is to a personal statement, but there is more to it than that. You need to paint them a picture, something that shows them what you are capable of doing.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and if you can show them why you will succeed, then they will understand why you are right for their program.
Personal statements are great ways to show your passion for medicine and why you want to go into pediatrics. You should also mention any specific skills you have that will help you succeed in this career.
For instance, if working with children is something you’re truly passionate about, you could mention your experience babysitting or volunteering at a children’s hospital. If you enjoy helping others, you may talk about how you helped someone else get through a tough situation.
3. Don’t Accentuate Your Flaws.
One question applicants always ask is, “Should I explain why I got these C’s?” Or should I volunteer some information of that type? ” The simple answer is just: don’t.
It is inappropriate to discuss any of your shortcomings in your personal statement. Instead, focus on your strengths. To get into an optometry school, you need to demonstrate your worth to the admissions board.
4. Do Be Honest.
You might not think you need to tell the truth about yourself, but admissions officers will see right through any attempt at deception. If you’re trying to get someone else to write your letter of recommendation, don’t ask them to lie.
And if you’re applying to an Ivy League school, don’t pretend to be a legacy student. Your parents probably aren’t paying for your tuition, and even if they were, that doesn’t mean you should lie about your family history.
5. Don’t Be Negative.
While I understand that everyone has had bad experiences, there is no need to go into detail about them. If you’re going to write about something negative, then it needs to be done right.
Don’t just say “I got rejected.” Say why you were rejected. What did you do wrong? How could you have improved? Why should we care? These are questions that really matter.
If you’re going down the path of negativity, then you might as well stop here because you’ll never get anywhere.
6. Do Have Fun!
College is supposed to be fun. Sure, it’s stressful, but it’s also exciting. You’re getting ready to start a whole new chapter in your life, and you shouldn’t let anything stand in the way of that.
So enjoy yourself while you’re there. Go to parties. Meet people. Make friends. You should use most of the opportunities that college provides. There’s plenty to do, and you won’t regret it.
7. Don’t Write Too Much.
You definitely do not want to do anything that will make us bored while we are reading your essay. We’ve already read thousands of essays from students around the country, and we know what works and what doesn’t.
Long paragraphs aren’t necessary, and short sentences are usually best. That’s why you use two pages to write your essay. Use them wisely.
8. Do Not Apologize For Lack of Experience.
If you’re being completely sincere with yourself, you’ll see that you might not know everything. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
As long as you’re willing to learn, there’s nothing wrong with admitting you need help. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers right away. That’s okay. You simply need to keep trying different things until you find something that works.
9. Do Not Lie.
No matter how tempting it might seem, lying is never acceptable. Even if you feel like you have to say something just to fit in, remember that you are representing yourself as a doctor.
So, even if you think that saying “I didn’t study abroad because my parents wouldn’t let me go” is true, you still have to admit that you lied. And that’s not cool.
10. Be Humble.
Your job is to help others, not to be the center of attention. Sure, you should always strive to be the best at whatever you do, but don’t forget to show respect to those around you. Remember, you are not the expert here.
Do focus on your strengths. Be professional and passionate. Don’t be afraid to show what you really think.
Optometry Personal Statement Example 1
My goal is to become an optometrist because I am interested in the study of the human eye and its functions.
I enjoy working with patients, and I feel that I will be able to help them through my ability to diagnose and treat different eye conditions. I am particularly intrigued by the development of the retina and the role played by the optic nerve.
I am excited to acquire a more in-depth understanding of the processes that take place in the eye and to make use of this knowledge to assist other people.
I’ve always wanted to become an optometrist. Optometry is a challenging career, but it offers many opportunities to help others. My first job after graduating was at a local pharmacy. I found that interacting with customers and assisting them in selecting the appropriate prescription eyewear was enjoyable.
I found this rewarding because I knew my advice could help alleviate their symptoms. I am now applying for jobs in the optical industry.
I’ve been involved in many different activities since leaving high school. Some of these involve working with other people to achieve a common goal. Others allow me to express myself creatively.
At the moment, I am attending classes at a university in order to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. I like to think that I’m a very positive person who enjoys making others happy.
When I’m not traveling or hanging out with my loved ones, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I’m always looking forward to what the future holds.
Do’s And Don’ts Of Writing Your Optometry School Application Essay
A personal statement is a great opportunity for students to share their story. It gives admissions officers a glimpse into who you are as a person and why you want to study optometry.
Your personal statement should say something about yourself and your goals. You may also want to write about your experiences and challenges that shaped your career path.
Optometry students should always be specific when writing essays. There is very little space to write an effective essay. Students need to be concise and clear in what they are trying to say.
If you are using a lot of jargon, then you may need to rephrase your ideas. Make sure you are using words that are easy to understand. Use simple language and avoid complex vocabulary.