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Optometry Personal Statement

Use this Optometry personal statement example as an inspiration to write your own for the UK university application, if you are applying to study Optometry course.

Finding a profession that both fulfils one’s intellectual interests and provides a sense of purpose is the key to a rewarding career. It would be necessary for me to pursue a career with a solid scientific aspect to work, since I have always been fascinated by the fields of biology and chemistry, with the objective of helping people every day. As a result of my involvement in various work placements within the health sector, I have come to realize that optometry is a profession that allows me to combine both. I have been captivated by human anatomy because of my studies in sciences at school. Studying biology has allowed me to gain a great deal of insight into how the human body develops diseases and how it attempts to fight them – sometimes unsuccessfully. Studying Level Chemistry has reinforced my understanding of biochemistry, which has been of particular interest to me. In school, I have thoroughly enjoyed studying biology and chemistry, and I look forward to applying what I have learned in these subjects to gain a detailed understanding of ocular science.

An extended work placement at a local optician helped me gain a deeper understanding of optometry both as a field of study and a profession. I shadowed different opticians as they performed eye tests and contact lens fittings during the placement. The importance of good communication skills in optometry has become apparent to me. Customers and patients would have a much more difficult time navigating what can often be complex procedures without them. In cases where patients are suffering from vision problems or are distressed by the prospect of undergoing tests, opticians should also act with empathy and patience. In the laboratory, I also had the opportunity to observe – and sometimes participate in – the lens and frame preparation processes during my placement. As a result of this experience, I have a much better understanding of the different types of lenses that are used in glasses, as well as the technical skills involved in making them. Since I found the work placement so rewarding, I have continued to volunteer every Saturday at the same optician.

I have also carried out a work placement at a local pharmacy. This experience encouraged me to develop some of the personal skills that I believe are necessary for working as an optician. During the placement, I had the opportunity to interact with customers. Through this, I learnt how much I enjoy work in which I can offer advice to people, and also felt a gratifying sense of responsibility in response to the fact that the advice I gave them regarding non-prescription medication could play a role in alleviating the symptoms of their health problems.

In my spare time, I have participated in a range of activities that also allow me to be involved in helping people. In Year 12 I mentored a group of Year 7 students; I enjoyed being able to make them feel less apprehensive about starting life in secondary school. I have been involved with several fund-raising initiatives for Afrikids and Cancer Research, such as selling cakes and doing a sponsored walk. These activities gave me a sense of satisfaction by allowing me to work as part of a team with a common goal. My sense of teamwork has also been improved by my involvement in my school’s hockey and netball teams. On a more personal note, I am a highly enthusiastic musician; I play the guitar, and also particularly enjoy traditional Indian music. I have found learning to play an instrument to be both an outlet for self-expression and a way of developing my skills of perseverance. I am also an avid reader of fiction, in particular stories that ignite my sense of adventure, such as Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

Recommended reading:

  • Personal Statement Examples
  • How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD
  • UCAS Personal Statement: A Writing Guide And Tips For Success
  • How to Write a Personal Statement That Stands Out
  • Tips for Writing a Personal Statement for the University
  • How to Write UCAS Reference Letter

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How to Write – A Killer Personal Statement Optometry Example

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The Personal Statement Optometry Edition

The personal statement for Optometry plays a significant role in the application process for many universities. They provide the admissions team with information on your academia, work experience, and personality, to help them determine whether you’re a good fit for their program.

Personal Statement Format - Optometry

A structured and well-written personal statement will highlight your strengths and demonstrate your transferable skillset. You should include your educational background, work history, volunteering, extracurriculars, hobbies, and aspirations (whether you want to stay in primary care, work in a hospital, or create your own business). If you’ve taken courses related to optometry, be sure to mention those too.

If you’re not too sure what to write about, ask yourself these questions:

What do I hope to accomplish by applying to optometry?

How have my experiences prepared me for university?

Why should they choose me?

This guide has you covered with keywords, bonus tips, and a successful personal statement optometry example.

If you’re applying through UCAS, then you’re limited to 4000 characters (including spaces) and up to 47 lines. Check your length by pasting your draft here , you may need to remove the spaces between paragraphs- this is normal and you will not be penalised for that. 

Table of Contents

  • Step 1 – Scope of Practice
  • Step 2 – Keywords
  • Step 3 – Mentor/Editing Service
  • Killer Personal Statement Optometry Example
  • Overview of the statement

Step 1: Understand an Optometrist's Scope of Practice

An optometrist’s  Scope of Practice simply means what their roles are, what they’re allowed to do, and day-to-day roles. 

Roles – Research the difference between roles of dispensing opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, and

– this will show off your background research and understanding.

If you have shadowed an optometrist, mention their roles in educating, advocating, and treating patients. This isn’t somewhere to list roles but suggests how you hope to make a difference through these roles.

Standards of Practice – Look into the General Optical Council Standards – These are 19 standards each optical professional must abide by. Integrate some of these in your personal statement optometry.

e.g., Standard 5: Keep your knowledge and skills up to date – Show your ability to research outside of your currciculum, mention an article, or research that you read. Show that you’re aware that learning extends beyond university!

optometry

Step 2: Keywords

  • Collaboration- an ability to work closely with others
  • Educator- willingness to teach others, educate patients on their vision health
  • Advocate- care and support those with visual conditions, impairments & vulnerable patients
  • Leader- handle the business side of optometry, manage a clinic, and mentor juniors
  • Empathy- work with a diverse community, care for the young, elderly, those with disabilities etc…
  • Communication- an ability to speak coherently, clearly, jargon-free, and alter your tone

Optometry Personal Statement Guide

Purchase the full guide with 3 successful examples, keywords, insider knowledge, top tips, full structure breakdown, and more...

Step 3: mentor/editing service.

Find a Mentor

Most applicants resort to their career adviser for help with their optometry personal statement. Make sure your career adviser has a track record of successful students who have previously applied and helped with a personal statement optometry application.

Optometry is a unique field, focusing on the eyes and a part of healthcare. It’s competitive, meaning you want to use each paragraph to add value rather than repeating what’s already on your UCAS application.

The universities will have your academic records, predicted grades, and final results- so they know you’re hard working and can handle the workload. They want to know how you are as a person, your work experience, knowledge beyond the A Level curriculum, and evidence of your caring nature.

Professional Mentor – a personal statement editor or advisor is someone who helps applicants for a living. They should have had experience with optometry and the application process. My services include editing, rewriting, content addition or budget services which include proofreading, review, and grammar corrections .

Optometrist – if you’ve shadowed an optometrist you might be able to ask them to read through your personal statement for optometry. They can highlight any technical errors or fact-check to make sure the content is correct

Writing personal statement optometry

Personal Statement Optometry Example

“As an avid photographer, I grew passionate about learning the different camera lenses, apertures, and their impact on focus. This intertwined with my anatomical interests, which stemmed from biology, where I dissected an eye. Visualising the ciliary muscles and learning their function alongside the zonular fibres helped me to understand their function on the lens. A simple contraction causes tension enabling us to focus on near objects. This significant but small muscle carries out an essential function, if impaired, our vision would be hugely affected. Researching this inspired me to understand ocular anatomy and age-related conditions. My research and the dissection tutorial sparked my fascination for vision health. As a teenager, I was always drawn to healthcare, but I was now drawn to this fascinating sector of healthcare. Following my research on age-related conditions, I came across cataracts which are prevalent within the geriatric population. I oversaw the impact cataracts had on elderly patients while volunteering weekly at a residential home. Many residents lacked independence due to their visual impairments and mobility issues. I recognised that many required visual aids, glasses, or regular medication and appointments. To understand the impact this had on their quality of life, I spoke to many who were happy to share their stories. I empathised with their struggles and understood how vision is essential. I also learned how residents coped with their deteriorating vision by improving their room lighting, colour-coded medication, and asking for help. I was able to help with tasks like clipping nails, meal times, and cleaning. I found the team to be very helpful, and we worked closely to make sure everyone was cared for. This work was undoubtedly rewarding, but it made me wonder how those in developing countries or of a lower income are able to access or afford such care. This made me grateful for the cataract surgeries and extensive care the NHS provides for all ages. I hope to use this experience to understand my future patients and educate them on coping methods while they await surgery. I found myself using a more gentle and slower speech when communicating with elderly patients; some suffered from hearing issues and additionally required me to write things down or speak facing them while accentuating my words. I now bear this in mind and am more patient and empathetic toward others. To understand what optometry entails, I shadowed my optometrist for two weeks. I oversaw consultations, eye health checks, diabetic checks, and the use of OCT scans. Being eager to learn, I curiously asked the optometrist to explain the purpose behind each check. I’m grateful that she was kind enough to explain the procedures and the various conditions that can arise. We spoke about retinal detachment, symptoms, and the risk of sudden vision loss. I recognised how crucial it is to care for those in the chair, whether it be elderly patients or those with limited English. Each required a thorough check and an explanation that they could understand. In order to gain a comprehensive experience, I learned about the administrative side of optometry, what is involved in running a clinic, and ensuring referrals are followed up. I had a chance to respond to phone calls and book appointments. This improved my communication skills and ability to empathise with those who were distressed by their symptoms, I could relate as I had recently suffered from allergies, which caused a great deal of irritation and itchiness. Overall, I believe my shadowing, rooted interests in anatomy, and willingness to work in a patient-centred profession have drawn me to optometry. I, therefore, wish to learn, develop, and treat those who are in my care by providing a quality service that will continue beyond university.”

Remember- Scope of Practice, use keywords, and get help with your Personal Statement Optometry

Sentence structure, flow, spelling, and grammar are equally important. Without flow and good transitional sentences, it becomes difficult to read, losing the admission tutor’s interest.

Therefore, I strongly advise getting professional help with the draft once it is written. Invest in your future now to maximise your chances of getting into your dream 0ptometry course.

Get help from an experienced writer Volunteering in your local area Top 3 Dental Personal Statements  

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What's on this page?

Study options, careers: where it can take you, getting in: entry requirements, other subjects you may be interested in, considering an apprenticeship, explore further, application advice.

As an optometrist you’ll be trained to examine the eye, to detect and diagnose any abnormalities and diseases, and to prescribe glasses or contact lenses. You’ll be working very closely with patients, using your empathy and customer service skills. Optometry is different to ophthalmology, where you’d perform surgery on eyes.

Optometry is a growing profession in the UK, and graduates tend to work in hospitals, opticians, or larger retail stores. You could also be community-based or later choose to specialise in an area like sports vision or working with children, or study further and specialise in areas like glaucoma research or diabetes. You could also travel, andtravel and be part of a team setting up quality eye care facilities in countries where health facilities are limited. 

  • Detect a squint in a young child’s vision and prescribe the right pair of glasses
  • Spot the signs of diabetes early and save someone’s eyesight
  • Volunteer for a charity and help people manage their sight loss
  • Biology of the human eye and supporting structures
  • Biology of the retina and visual pathways
  • Visual optics, refraction, and binocular vision
  • Clinical practice and communication
  • Diagnostic techniques
  • Principles of spectacle dispensing
  • General and systemic pathology
  • Physiology and microbiology
  • Pharmacology, ophthalmology, and ocular therapeutics
  • Ocular disease
  • Visual neuroscience

Options to study in this field include:

  • undergraduate courses
  • apprenticeships

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Subjects it's useful to have studied first

  • Use precision tests and instruments
  • Patient examination
  • Clinical decision-making
  • Disease detection and/or referral
  • Communication
  • Customer service
  • Problem-solving

Find out more about your career prospects from studying optometry. The following information is based on a typical ophthalmic optician role. 

Career options

Optometrist

Dispensing optician  

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What is a… medical science liaison.

Find out more about what you'll need to study optometry at university or as an apprenticeship. 

Average requirements for undergraduate degrees 

Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from optometry applicants. 

The expert view

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Applying for an apprenticeship is just like applying for a normal job. Here’s what you need to know:

Where to apply

Apply to university and apprenticeships, find out more, let's talk about... science apprenticeships (sponsored by manchester metropolitan university), how your eyes work, college of optometrists, association of optometrists.

  • Start off with why this subject appeals to you. Try and explain your love of science and learning the intricacies of how something works, or the fact you enjoy working with people and seeing the results of your study in real life situations. Mention any additional reading you’ve been doing too.
  • Clinical optometrists are patient-facing, so talk about when you’ve worked in customer service, cared for people, or mentored a year group in school, for example. What qualities do you have that would suit you well when dealing with patients?
  • As well as good communication, you’ll need to be able to problem solve, and critically evaluate things. What subjects have you studied at school that required these skills? Can you mention any hobbies or extracurricular activities like brain teasers, Rubik’s cube, or even composing your own music, that require some of these traits?
  • Competition is high for optometry graduates looking to secure a pre-registration position, so try and get some relevant work experience. You could get a part-time job with a local opticians, or volunteer in a hospital. Some large retail chains also offer summer programmes that are a great opportunity to gain experience.
  • Studying optometry isn’t easy, so show you have some resilience too, and that you’re able to unwind after a long day working or studying.

Stand out from the crowd by showcasing who you are and what you can bring to a university as you begin your undergraduate journey.

Personal statement builder

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Get help structuring your statement.

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The University of Manchester home

Application process: Optometry (MSci) (4 years)

Some applicants find the interview for our four-year Optometry course daunting. We've tried to make the interview process as clear and transparent as possible through this step-by-step guide to what we are looking for in successful applicants.

How to apply

All applications for entry to undergraduate study in the UK must be directed through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

UCAS application forms can be obtained from schools or directly from UCAS. This should be done nine to 12 months before intending to start the course (21 to 24 months in the case of gap year students).

Please refer to the UCAS website for further information on key dates and the application process.

How your application is considered

We will review your entire UCAS application to determine whether you have satisfied the criteria for interview selection.

For applicants based in the UK, Republic of Ireland and the Channel Islands, the interview will be held at The University of Manchester.

For applicants residing outside the UK (international and EU), this may involve a Skype/Zoom interview.

As a general rule, applicants who are given the opportunity to attend an interview will have:

  • a good set of GCSE grades, with Grade 5 in Mathematics and English Language;
  • predicted A-levels normally at a minimum of AAB (or equivalent qualifications). At least one science subject must be at Grade A. In some cases we may consider an applicant whose predictions are ABB with the A in the science subject;
  • a well-written personal statement that confirms your interest in studying optometry;
  • a supportive academic reference.

We receive approximately 1,100 applications each academic year and hold 7 interview dates per session from November to March. Skype/Zoom interviews will be arranged on an ad hoc basis.

All offers are based on a combination of predicted/achieved A-levels (or equivalent), personal statement, reference and interview assessment.

Candidates whose primary choice of course is Medicine or Dentistry

Applicants who have applied for Medicine or Dentistry as a first choice will still be considered for Optometry.

Subject to meeting the advertised requirements, you will be invited to submit a revised personal statement that confirms your interest in Optometry. If this is satisfactory, you will be invited for an interview in March/April.

About the personal statement

Your personal statement offers an opportunity for you to stand out from other applicants. A well-written statement that demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to optometry will improve your chances of success.

You should include details of outside interests, work experience and any position of responsibility you have held.

Please note: we have a zero tolerance policy on plagiarised personal statements. Any statements that are flagged by the UCAS Similarity Detection Service will be automatically rejected.

About the interview

For the 2022-23 admissions cycle, interviews will be scheduled via Zoom and will be conducted one-to-one with an academic member of staff.

The interviews will be timetabled for 20 minutes and this will allow you to ask any questions you might have about the Optometry course.

We will ensure that you are given plenty of notice about the interview and, if necessary, we will be happy to reschedule if the date/time is inconvenient.

Please note that the interview is an essential part of the application process. Those who fail to attend, without prior explanation, will have their application withdrawn.

Students with non-standard or non A-level qualifications

We understand that not all applicants will have taken A-levels and we may still offer an opportunity for an interview to an applicant, even when a gap in their entry qualifications means their proficiency in one or more subjects has not been proven.

After the interview

While our aim is to inform applicants of our decision as soon as possible after the interview, there will be a number of cases when our decision will be delayed, and we will need to wait until ALL interviews have been completed before we are able to update UCAS Track.

In this scenario, we will inform applicants of a potential delay and the timeline of when we expect to be able to confirm our decision. All decisions are based on the assessment of your interviewer.

Reconsideration

The overwhelming majority of unsuccessful applicants are rejected because they do not satisfy our entry requirements, but requests for reconsideration of a decision can be made.

Requests should be made via email to the Admissions Manager ( [email protected] ) while also being supported (again via email) by the applicant's tutor/academic advisor.

Advice to applicants

Conditional firm (cf) and conditional insurance (ci) choices.

We have a non-academic requirement that all CF and CI applicants must fulfil. This is the completion and submission of a health questionnaire that is assessed by the University's Occupational Health Service (OHS).

The health questionnaire will be sent to you via email after you have selected Manchester as your firm or insurance choice.

Following assessment, OHS will issue your Certificate to Commence Studies and, at this point, we will confirm that you have satisfied this (non-academic) requirement.

You should choose your CF and CI choices with care. Ideally, the CF choice should be at the university where you really want to study.

However, you should be aware that if we are able to offer any leeway on the requirements for entry, this will be given to CF applicants only.

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Inside OptomCAS Part II: Your Personal Statement for Applying to Optometry School

optometry personal statement uk

In the previous post, we zoomed in on the Letters of Evaluation (LOEs) section of the application for optometry school, clarifying requirements and providing some pearls for effectively fulfilling them. This time we turn our attention to another crucial part of the application: the personal statement, a.k.a., the essay.

The LOEs and the personal statement [both of which you’ll manage through the  Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS)]  are relied upon heavily by the schools and colleges of optometry as they determine whether you’re the type of person who can succeed as a student in their programs and as a future optometrist. Your official instructions for composing the essay are as follows: “Please describe what inspires your decision for becoming an optometrist, including your preparation for training in this profession, your aptitude and motivation, the basis for your interest in optometry, and your future career goals. Your essay should be limited to 4500 characters.”

While the instructions have a kind of “just the facts,” flat quality, your essay will need to be the opposite of that in order to provide the admissions office with information they’ll notice and appreciate. According to Michael Bacigalupi, OD, MS, FAAO, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs & Admissions at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry (NSU), “The personal statement allows me to get to know a student much better than just filling out blank spaces and checking off boxes on an application. It gives me a better sense of who the applicant is. Through the personal statement, students can convey what we’re looking for, which is motivation, dedication and a love of the profession of optometry. Those qualities aren’t measurable by OAT scores and GPAs.” By the way, Dr. Bacigalupi uses the word “love” of the profession on purpose. “I want students to be passionate about becoming an optometrist,” he says. “Like in any health profession, the rewards can be substantial, but the road to success is not easy, so you have to love it.”

Like some other schools and colleges of optometry, NSU requires applicants to submit an essay in addition to the personal statement. In fact, they ask for two supplemental essays. The two essay questions change from time to time, but for the last application cycle they were: 1) “What specifically are your reasons for choosing to apply to Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry?” and 2) “Professional school is very challenging. What experiences in your life and/or undergraduate career have prepared you for the rigors of optometry school?”

Dr. Bacigalupi says the statements and essays (he reads about 3,000 per year) that catch his attention are the ones that tell a story and talk about a crossroad or a serious decision an applicant made in life that led him or her to optometry as a career. He cites as an example, “Let’s say someone was an at-risk youth but realized that’s not the way he or she wanted to end up so instead took the right path and decided to focus on school. That’s a story that illustrates motivation.” He also recalls an essay from an applicant who had temporarily lost his vision, which led to the realization of how important sight is in daily life and the desire to help safeguard it for others. Don’t worry if your experiences aren’t as dramatic as those, Dr. Bacigalupi says, just be honest while providing insight into who you really are.

Essays that definitely don’t impress are those that seem to be quickly thrown together or are poorly crafted and contain spelling or grammar errors. “What comes across through those things is that the applicant rushed through this step without much care, which may indicate a lack of commitment or that this isn’t that important to him or her,” Dr. Bacigalupi explains. He recommends having another person or people, perhaps with no ties to optometry, read the personal statement with an eye toward content, grammar and readability before it’s submitted. “That gives you insight into whether it’s readable and will be effective,” he says.

Need more inspiration and ideas about what to write about in your personal statement? ASCO points out in its Optometry Career Guide that, in general, optometry schools are looking for students who can demonstrate strong academic commitment as well as exhibit the potential to excel in deductive reasoning, interpersonal communication and empathy. They like to attract well-rounded candidates who have achieved not only in the classroom but also in other areas, such as in leadership ability. A disposition to serve others and a work ethic characterized by dedication and persistence are other desirable qualities. Adds Dr. Bacigalupi, “We want to see in the statement and essays that we’d be admitting teachable students who ultimately will make good colleagues; therefore, the right balance of people skills and academic abilities is very important.”

The 2015-2016  OptomCAS application  cycle opens on July 1, so the time to start working on your essay is right about now. Good luck!

Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry

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optometry personal statement uk

UCAS Optometry Personal Statement

The perfect optometry personal statement is possible. let us guide you to writing your very own exemplar optometry personal statement., your first step..

The perfect optometry personal statement is possible.

The personal statement is your first stepping stone towards a place in optometry. It is marked extensively by an admissions panel to call for an interview. Often, many capable students miss out on interviews due to their inefficiency in reflecting, selling themselves and explaining why they’re the ideal candidate to study optometry. We fully understand how frustrating and overwhelming writing a personal statement can be, as we’ve been in your shoes before. After overseeing many personal statements, our team feels to have a grasp of what makes a perfect dentistry personal statement with most of our students being called for interviews. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get your own unique, perfect optometry personal statement ready.

optometry personal statement uk

The Med Ready Guarantee.

Here at Med Ready, we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality of services. With that in mind, we are so confident in our services a full refund will be provided if you’re in any way dissatisfied (T&C apply). We also guarantee that if we can’t improve your optometry personal statement, a full refund will be provided. Alongside our personal statement service, we will help you decide which universities to apply to. Choosing the right university can make all the difference in being successful at securing an offer.

optometry personal statement uk

An overview of the redraft process

optometry personal statement uk

Our redraft guarantee

Line by line analysis

We extensively analyse each line of your personal statement for improvements. This helps us provide beskope feedback catered to each customer.

Marked against selection criteria

Your personal statement will be marked against a typical university criteria. We make sure that your personal statement will include all the necessary details universities are looking for.

Sentence structure improvement

One of the key components of the personal statement is flow. This can be achieved by improving sentence structure by adding and removing words, something we have expertise in.

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Grammar checking

We ensure your personal statement has perfect grammar which is an absolute must for every personal statement.

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Our team has an excellent track record of helping students reach interviews at some of the best universities in the UK. We have an in depth understanding of the criteria Russell group universities look for.

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optometry personal statement uk

optometry personal statement uk

Optometry Admissions Blog

Southern california college of optometry at marshall b. ketchum university, do’s and don’ts of writing a memorable & winning personal statement.

FRANCISCO MARGARET

Maggie Francisco, OD, FAAO from SCCO’s Class of 2016 

For all optometry school applicants who are in the process of writing their personal statements, this article will help. I highly endorse its wisdom.

After Maggie shares tips on how to write a memorable and winning essay, included at the end of this article is the very essay she submitted with her application. It is a perfect example of how to “show and not tell,” revealing through its narrative her unique personality, her professionalism, preparation, and passion for optometry.

Article and Personal Essay Written by  Maggie Francisco, Optometry Student, SCCO, Class of 2016

According to Dr. Munroe, the goal of the personal statement is to show the admissions team mainly three things; 1) your personality, 2) your commitment to optometry, and 3) your passion and motivation that will help guide you through optometry school—the “fire in your belly.” Your GPA and OAT scores will speak for themselves, but the personal statement is your one opportunity to show them who you are and what sets you apart from the sea of applicants they are wading through each day. What makes you different? What makes you… you?

Welcome Back BBQ: pictured here with Dr. Jane Ann Munroe, left, along with Bridget Anderson, and Maggie Francisco, both from Class of 2016

Welcome Back BBQ, pictured here with Dr. Jane Ann Munroe (left), Bridget Anderson (center), and Maggie Francisco (right), both from Class of 2016

These are often tough questions to answer, especially when many of us in the application phase are at the age when we are just starting to figure that out for ourselves. That is why people typically come up with the same or similar, slightly monotonous story—they got glasses when they were little, their grandmother had glaucoma, they liked their optometrist, they had a lazy eye, etc.—and they discovered, “Hey, optometry is pretty cool…” Which leads me to my first “don’t” for writing a memorable and winning personal statement:

1.  DON’T Be Generic

Yes, these stories are important to how you discovered optometry and why it is so important to you. So don’t leave them out completely! But don’t focus too much on it because everyone has glasses or a grandma with glaucoma or a cool optometrist or a lazy eye or something that inspired them to pursue optometry. Use this opportunity to write about your UNIQUE experiences and don’t feel like you have to linger on your back-story. Just mention your story briefly and move on to the good stuff—what have you done to learn about or invest yourself in the optometric profession? What are your goals? Your dreams? That is what they care to read and what makes your story unique.

2.  DON’T Tell Them; Show Them

Telling your story seems like it should be the main goal of a personal statement, but you don’t just want to tell them a story—you have to show them! Paint them a picture, something they can relate to and that tells them more about you than do the words alone.

Personal Statement Example One:

“When I was a child, my pediatrician inspired me to become a doctor because she was smart, nice and always made me feel better. I vowed to be just like her.” (1)

Personal Statement Example Two:

“I remember the first time I went into my pediatrician’s office: pure fear. Like most kids, the doctors was the last person I wanted to see. The interesting thing is that over the years I started to like Dr. Green because she was not only smart but able to relate with me and explain things in a way I could understand. She made scary experiences much more tolerable. I later went on rounds with Dr. Green at the hospital and felt my desire to be a doctor increase. I saw how hard she worked and what was required to be a good physician. The exciting thing is that I found these high standards didn’t scare me; rather, they motivated me to excel in school and become a physician just like her.” (2)

Example one simply tells the reader who inspired them and why, but in an extremely generic, unemotional and lackluster fashion. Example two, however, shows passion and humanity, all while showing her understanding of what a good doctor does and what type of doctor she would like to be.

This is the goal! Show, don’t tell.

3.  DON’T Accentuate Your Flaws

One question applicants always ask is, “should I explain why I got those C’s?” or volunteer some information of that sort. The simple answer is just this: don’t do it.

The personal statement is a venue to show the admissions team what would make you a great asset to an optometry program,

Maggie at the Class of 2016 White Coat Ceremony being congratulated by MBKU President, Dr. Kevin Alexander

Maggie at the Class of 2016 White Coat Ceremony being congratulated by MBKU President, Dr. Kevin Alexander

so why would you waste a precious word on something that you did wrong? If there is really a valid explanation for a slump in your GPA or a strange gap in your academic transcript—there was a death, illness or injury in your family or something of a similar, serious nature—there are other ways to express this. Some schools will have a “If there is anything else you would like the admissions office to know…” section on the application, or in the case of SCCO, you can email [email protected] an official letter (pdf/doc) to go into your file that can disclose details that did not fit within the rest of the application. Feel free to explain yourself in this manner, but definitely don’t feel like you have to. The admissions officers understand that sometimes life happens or a class was particularly hard, so just stick to talking about why you rock!

4.  DO Be Genuine

The worst thing you could do in a personal statement is to lie or misrepresent yourself. Admissions officers read hundreds of letters each season—they can pick up on insincerity from a mile away.  So maybe you didn’t do as much community service or extracurriculars as the next guy. That’s fine!  Accentuate the things you did do—your shadowing, your passion. Don’t try to fool anyone with outlandish, highly exaggerated stories.

5.  DO Keep It Positive

This goes very nicely with rules 3 and 4, but begs to be said.

Perhaps you went through some hard times in your life and you think it this is important to discuss to explain how you came to be who you are now; that’s understandable and commendable. But don’t dwell on it for an entire essay. As said in rule 3, you should be using all the space you have to talk about how great you are, not waste it on describing a sad moment in your life. You can mention your situation and how it changed you, but droning on and complaining about it makes it feel more like a manipulation tactic. Talk about how you grew as a person, how it made you stronger, how it changed your outlook on things, all for the better.  And if it has nothing to do with your pursuit of education or optometry, maybe think twice about mentioning it at all. Most importantly, don’t hide behind a sob story in hopes of gaining the admissions team’s pity. Pity will not get you an acceptance—determination and achievement will always win out.

6.  DO Professionally and Unapologetically… Be Yourself!

I think I’ve been working toward this main point throughout this article. You have worked hard, you’ve done your research—show them who you are and what you’ve got! Show your personality, while promoting yourself as a professional, competent potential-doctor.

  • DO talk about the important things and what makes you, …you
  • DON’T dwell on the negative
  • DO be professional and passionate
  • DON’T be afraid to be yourself!

Welcome Back BBQ: Maggie with classmate, Lynn Huffman, right

Welcome Back BBQ: Maggie with classmate, Lynn Huffman, right

Maggie’s Essay

I felt something splash my arm―through my car’s open window, a bird had decided to drop “a little surprise.” It was a horrifying and unexpected interruption while driving home, still reeling over my day at the local VA Medical Center. The last patient of the day had a congenital retinal macrovessel that everyone in the office gathered to see. I felt lucky to have seen something so rare on my final day of shadowing in the Ocular Disease Residency program.

My introduction to optometry was typical―In third grade, I received glasses to correct my -3.00 vision and, as you can imagine, my whole world changed. Optometry became a potential career when I took a survey in my sophomore year that matched my interests with professions. Science courses were my strength, especially the active lab portions, so it seemed obvious that a survey would recommend a health sciences field. But, at that time, my passion was musical theatre. I loved to sing, dance, direct and perform on stage. Optometry offered flexibility―I could pursue community theatre after hours and have time for a family. So, my college aspirations were to do both; music and biochemistry.

The reality of the biochemistry workload made me realize that I could not do both well, so I had to put performing on hold. During the summer after my freshman year, I interned at Family Care Optometry, a small partnership in the suburbs. I learned about practice management; how to manage appointments, order and fit contacts and glasses, and manage patient issues. I sat in on exams and performed preliminary auto-refractions and visual-fields. I enjoyed the camaraderie with the doctors and experienced a warm satisfaction when a patient left with better sight or a healthier outlook. This experience, although limited mainly to refractions, confirmed that I wanted to practice optometry. However, for my next shadowing experience, I knew I wanted exposure to a broader variety of cases.

A few months later, I shadowed at an ophthalmology-optometry office managed by a large medical group. Dr. Smith didn’t have to worry about practice management or glasses/contact lens sales. He preferred this, stating that he felt free to be strictly a health care provider, not a salesman. Due to his relationship with the ophthalmologists, he had more treatment privileges and his patients had a larger range of issues, which made the day much more interesting and varied. I noticed the general respect his patients had for him and vice versa; he knew them, they knew him. They teased and complimented him. It was a fun environment, yet serious when necessary. He had to explain to a diabetes patient that her high glucose levels at Christmas time had caused bleeding in the eye.  Placing himself in her situation, he explained the issue delicately, helping her understand the seriousness of the risks without scolding or degrading her. I admired his candidness and hope to model my patient-interactions after him.

I attended information sessions at several schools, so by the time I got to the VA Hospital, I was a shadowing-pro. I felt more prepared to ask questions, and was excited to be in a teaching environment with students in the residency program and on 4 th -year rotations. I asked about the instruments and how they worked. I wanted to get involved―to work the slit lamp and phoropter―constantly reminding myself, “Don’t touch” or “Don’t answer that patient’s question, it’s not your job yet.” Looking through the slit lamp’s   microscope was fascinating; examining cataracts, implants, macular degeneration, and more. I discussed with the head doctors the benefits of doing a residency and the future of our scope of practice in California. I began referring to optometrists as a “we”, not a “they”. During my last day at the VA hospital, I dreaded my departure and longed to stay just a few more days. I couldn’t get enough.

No matter the type of practice I choose, my shadowing experiences have showed that what I love about optometry is working with patients. I always thought that I would enjoy the business side of private practice, but now I think I’d be happy just showing up every day to a lobby of patients, waiting for my undivided attention. I’m not ruling out private practice, but I want more days like the one at the VA. Since I couldn’t focus the equipment, I only saw pictures of that last patient’s macrovessel. I just hope the day I finally get to see one up close―the birds keep their excitement to themselves. (Published with Maggie’s permission.  Names and places have been changed to protect identity).

(1)  Fleenor, Jeremiah. The Medical School Interview: Secrets and a System for Success . Denver, CO: Shift 4 Pub., 2011, 15.

(2) Fleenor, Jeremiah. The Medical School Interview: Secrets and a System for Success . Denver, CO: Shift 4 Pub., 2011, 15.

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Categories: Personal Statement

Tagged as: Fleenor , getting into optometry school , healthcare professional school personal statement , jane ann munroe , Jane Ann Munroe optometry , Marshall B. Ketchum University , optometry , optometry admissions , optometry school admissions , person statement , professional school personal statement , scco.

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Published by Jane Ann Munroe, OD, Assistant Dean of Admissions, SCCO

Retired Assistant Dean of Admissions, SCCO View all posts by Jane Ann Munroe, OD, Assistant Dean of Admissions, SCCO

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Writing your personal statement

Student writing in a notebook

When you're applying to university, a personal statement is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd. It’s really important to take time to think about, plan and write the best possible statement.

Try our simple exercise – the three-sheet method – as you go about preparing your statement.

Your chance to sell yourself

Personal statements are a maximum of 4,000 characters or 47 lines (about one side of typed A4) when applying through UCAS. If you apply through ARU online, the maximum word count is 2,000 words. You should remember that this may be your only opportunity to make an impression and sell yourself to a university's admissions officer or tutor. Many courses do not require an interview so the decision to offer a place is based on the content of the application form, and the personal statement is a very important part of this process.

A good way to approach writing your statement is to think about the future. Concentrate on what you want to achieve through your studies rather than describing the route you’ve taken to get to uni.

The things you’ve done in the past are important too, but they should be used to support your explanation of where you’re headed. It seems odd, but the best statements tend to explain what you’re going to be doing once you leave university.

Make sure your statement is relevant to the courses you’re applying for. Even if you’ve applied for five different courses, try to refer to each subject area. Tutors can be put off by no mention of interest in their course.

If you're finding it difficult to talk about a number of subject areas, you may be able to send a separate personal statement to the university. Contact them to ask if this is allowed. Here at Anglia Ruskin, we often receive applications for Optometry from people who have mainly applied for medicine. In this instance you can send a specific, supplementary optometry statement first.

ARU three-sheet method

We’ve developed a simple and straightforward process to help you write a really good personal statement.

We call it the ‘three-sheet method’ (you can do it on three sheets of paper) and we’ve successfully used it to help hundreds of students just like you.

We’ve also had lots of feedback showing that using this method helps to make the whole process much easier.

Additional resources

Read an example personal statement (PDF)

Take a look at our interactive personal statement guide (PDF)

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optometry personal statement uk

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Optometry Application: Personal Statement (NEED ADVICE)

  • Thread starter straightpath
  • Start date Jun 18, 2015

OATBooster | The Ultimate OAT Resource

straightpath

  • Jun 18, 2015

undecisiveone1

Full member.

I am in your situation too. I used to be premed but chanced to preoptometry. However my grades are terrible and I don't want them to think I switched to preoptometry just because of that. Any answers to this post would be great because I am also doing my personal statement :/  

OpticalBlackOut

OpticalBlackOut

straightpath said: - I lived with my family during my undergrad, and certain difficulties at home intervened with my studies. Would it be valid to mention this? I don't want the admissions committee to pity me though... - I completed 3 prerequisite courses online at 2 different universities (not through my home university). Would this be a good place in my application to mention why I had done this? - I initially went into university without having Optometry in mind as a career goal. This was obvious in my volunteer activities as well. Would it be good to mention this, and explain that I only realized that I wanted to become an Optometrist after my first university year? But I did poorly that year... so would it sound like I only opted for a "less competitive" career option (although this isn't the case at all, and I believe that it's just as hard to get into as any other health-related field) ? I've improved my GPA since first year, but it still isn't that great. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Click to expand...
OpticalBlackOut said: C. Don't worry- this is extremely common for our profession. The important thing to focus on is how you became passionate about optometry. Show them your shadowing experiences; tell them your life-changing patient stories. Anecdotes that show your compassionate side really help. For me personally, I would prefer an applicant who is realistic about optometry (plenty of uncertainties in the future), as opposed to someone who conveys a 'rainbows & sunshine' approach. Best of luck Click to expand...
  • Jun 19, 2015
  • Jun 23, 2015
  • Jun 24, 2015
undecisiveone1 said: I was actually debating this. Would it be looked down upon if I mentioned something along the lines of I realize the risks of optometry especially with regards to employment? Also is it wrong to assume I would have more family time as an optometrist vs. an ophthalmologist? Click to expand...
  • Jun 26, 2015

I'm so glad I posted this thread! I definitely now know what NOT to include, and how to go about this. THANK YOU, you are all so amazing (taking your time to care for a stranger's future). Cheers!  

msrandomheart143

msrandomheart143

  • Aug 13, 2015
OpticalBlackOut said: A. Everyone has their own struggles- whether it's working multiple jobs during undergrad, coping with the loss of loved ones, or professors who were out to get you. That's life. Rather than focus on the reasons you struggled, give the admissions committee your reasons on how you shined. At the end of the day, no one likes to hear excuses. B. Not the best person to answer this since I never took any online courses. (In an old man's voice "Kids these days...") C. Don't worry- this is extremely common for our profession. The important thing to focus on is how you became passionate about optometry. Show them your shadowing experiences; tell them your life-changing patient stories. Anecdotes that show your compassionate side really help. For me personally, I would prefer an applicant who is realistic about optometry (plenty of uncertainties in the future), as opposed to someone who conveys a 'rainbows & sunshine' approach. D. Apply early, get rock solid letters, and a great OAT score can offset a lower GPA. If there's time, retaking courses with poor grades is always a bonus. Best of luck Click to expand...

Snakedoctor1

  • Aug 14, 2015
msrandomheart143 said: Everyone keeps advising to apply early... But relatively speaking what does this mean? Within the first month? within the first two months? Click to expand...
  • Aug 16, 2015
Snakedoctor1 said: In my opinion, early means before October. Click to expand...

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Personal statement help!

I’m in the process of writing my personal statement and I am having a hard time starting!

This is how I found optometry: I had always wanted to be in the healthcare field but I was unsure what I wanted to do! I shadowed a pharmacist, dentist, and physical therapist in which none of these peaked my interest. A wonderful friend of mines suggested to me I should shadow an optometrist. I have worn glasses since elementary school and I always loved going to see my optometrist. After shadowing an optometrist I instantly fell in love with what they do! Optometry is like a puzzle and the optometrist is the person putting the puzzle pieces together

I’m not really sure on how to make this more interesting. What can I add...If anyone has any tips plz let me know! Thank you

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Optometry personal statements

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    Dietetics degree personal statement example (1a) Dietetics degree personal statement example (1c) P. Personal Statement:General personal statement for medical genetics biomedical science medical science physiology and neurology - The Student Room. Personal Statement:Optometry 1. Personal Statement:Physiology 1. Personal Statement:Physiotherapy 2.

  11. Optometry Personal Statement Examples (2024)

    BSc Optometry Personal Statement Example. My part-time work at Specsavers gave me insight into optometry, making me eager to learn more and study at a higher level. Using this optometry personal statement, I want to pursue a bachelor's degree in optometry. My part-time work generally carried out fundamental tasks such as filing, updating ...

  12. Do's and Don'ts of Writing a Memorable & Winning Personal Statement

    According to Dr. Munroe, the goal of the personal statement is to show the admissions team mainly three things; 1) your personality, 2) your commitment to optometry, and 3) your passion and motivation that will help guide you through optometry school—the "fire in your belly.". Your GPA and OAT scores will speak for themselves, but the ...

  13. Applying to university

    Your chance to sell yourself. Personal statements are a maximum of 4,000 characters or 47 lines (about one side of typed A4) when applying through UCAS. If you apply through ARU online, the maximum word count is 2,000 words. You should remember that this may be your only opportunity to make an impression and sell yourself to a university's ...

  14. Optometry personal statement

    Optometry personal statement. Jun 23, 2015 •. 2 likes • 28,370 views. AI-enhanced description. D. DB3igs. The document discusses the author's interest and experience in optometry. It summarizes how the author's job at Specsavers for the past year conducting clinical assessments and working with optometrists gave them insight into the field ...

  15. Optometry Personal Statement

    Optometry Personal Statement. Examples 9-30. Mar 6. Written By stephen newall. ... UK Address Personal Statement Service. The Old Dairy 12 Stephen Road Headington, Oxford, OX3 9AY United Kingdom. VAT Number 425 5446 95. 24/7 0800 334 5952 London 020 364 076 91 [email protected].

  16. Optometry with Independent Prescribing

    Your personal statement. In your personal statement, you should include your intent to study optometry. Some work experience is always useful. Minimum age restrictions. Applicants will not normally be admitted unless they will have attained the age of 17 years by 1 March of the academic session in which they enter the course. English language ...

  17. Personal Statement for optometry

    If you need a structure for your personal statement here you go-1st-why you want to do optometry/ interest in the course (I wrote about books and podcasts) 2nd-current a levels (how they relate, what you enjoy) 3rd-profile as a student 4th-extra reading, courses, epq (more interest in course again) 5th-work experience 6th-extra curricular 7th ...

  18. Optometry Application: Personal Statement (NEED ADVICE)

    10. Reaction score. 3. Jun 24, 2015. #8. Here is the prompt for the optometry school personal statement: "Please describe what inspires your decision for becoming an optometrist, including your preparation for training in this profession, your aptitude and motivation, the basis for your interest in optometry, and your future career goals.".

  19. Personal Statement:Optometry 1

    Personal Statement:Optometry 1. Optometry Personal Statement. Mathematics, chemistry and economics 'A' levels have provided me with a varied knowledge and a range of skills. Mathematics has helped me excel in my ability to analyse a problem and think of a systematic way of solving it. I have a personality trait of always investigating the ...

  20. Optometry personal statement

    Optometry personal statement. A. J_M205. 3. Hello Everyone I was just wondering but I want to optometry at either Hertfordshire university or city university of London. I was hoping to do the 4 year course but I've been predicted CCE and I think I can get into the 5 year Optometry course at Hertfordshire and the introduction to optometry at ...

  21. Personal statement help! : r/optometry

    Personal statement help! I'm in the process of writing my personal statement and I am having a hard time starting! This is how I found optometry: I had always wanted to be in the healthcare field but I was unsure what I wanted to do! I shadowed a pharmacist, dentist, and physical therapist in which none of these peaked my interest.

  22. Personal statement for optometry

    Personal statement for optometry. A. Stressedoutxxx. 12. I'm currently in the process of writing my PS to study optometry but I'm struggling a bit. I'm not sure how to structure it, what to talk about and in which order and it doesn't help that there are no optometry PS examples online. I'm particularly struggling with writing an ...

  23. Optometry personal statements

    Optometry personal statements; Watch. 5 years ago. Optometry personal statements. Shushaxx. 13. There aren't no personal statements out there for optometry and it's so frustrating because I don't have a clue what to write!!!! 0 Report. Reply. Reply 1. 5 years ago. Interrobang. 20. Original post by hanaahxox.