optometry personal statement uk

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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

Optometry Personal Statement Examples

• 1 Personal Statement Example Links
• 2 Career Opportunities
• 3 UK Admission Requirements
• 4 UK Earnings Potential For Optometrists
• 5 Similar Courses in the UK
• 6 UK Curriculum
• 7 Alumni Network

Personal Statement Example Links

• Personal Statement Example 1
• Personal Statement Example 2
• Personal Statement Example 3
• Personal Statement Example 4
• Personal Statement Example 5
• Personal Statement Example 6

Ever been intrigued by the complexity and wonder of human vision? Inspired by the idea of improving and preserving sight through the science of eye care?

If so, a degree in Optometry could be your perfect journey. This fascinating field equips you with the knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat a variety of eye conditions, enhancing people’s quality of life through better vision.

As an optometrist, you will be responsible for diagnosing and managing vision problems, prescribing corrective lenses and medications, and providing advice on eye care and hygiene.

You may also work alongside ophthalmologists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive eye care services.

To become an optometrist, you will need to complete a Doctor of Optometry degree program, which typically takes four years after completing a Bachelor’s degree.

During your degree, you will gain in-depth knowledge of ocular anatomy, physiology, optics, and pathology, as well as practical experience in clinical settings.

A career as an optometrist offers a high level of job security, competitive salaries, and the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives by improving their vision and overall quality of life.

👍 When writing a personal statement : Highlight your passion for the course, demonstrating your understanding of it. Use relevant personal experiences, coursework, or work history to showcase how these have fostered your interest and readiness for the course.

Career Opportunities

Someone with a degree in optometry can pursue a number of different careers and professions. These include:

• Optometrist: An optometrist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of eye and vision care. Optometrists provide comprehensive eye exams, prescribe corrective lenses, diagnose and treat eye diseases, and perform vision therapy.
• Ophthalmologist: An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists provide comprehensive eye exams, prescribe corrective lenses, diagnose and treat eye diseases, and perform surgery.
• Optician: An optician is a healthcare professional who specializes in the fitting and dispensing of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Opticians also provide advice on the selection of frames and lenses, as well as the maintenance and repair of eyeglasses and contact lenses.
• Vision Therapist: A vision therapist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision-related problems. Vision therapists provide comprehensive vision therapy, including eye exercises and vision training.
• Optical Scientist: An optical scientist is a scientist who specializes in the study of light and its properties. Optical scientists research and develop new optical technologies, such as lenses, optical instruments, and optical systems.
• Optometric Technician: An optometric technician is a healthcare professional who assists optometrists in providing eye care services. Their responsibilities include conducting preliminary eye tests, maintaining optical instruments, and assisting with patient care.

UK Admission Requirements

In order to be accepted into an Optometry course in the UK, applicants must have achieved a minimum of three A-Levels at grade A or above, with at least one of these being in a science subject. Additionally, applicants must have achieved a minimum of five GCSEs at grade A*-C or equivalent, including Maths and English.

The entry requirements for an Optometry course in the UK are generally more stringent than those for similar courses such as Ophthalmology or Orthoptics. For example, applicants to an Optometry course are usually required to have achieved higher grades in their A-Levels and GCSEs than those applying to other courses.

Additionally, applicants to an Optometry course must usually have studied a science subject at A-Level , while those applying to other courses may not be required to do so.

UK Earnings Potential For Optometrists

The average earnings for someone with a degree in optometry vary depending on the location and type of practice. According to the Association of Optometrists, the average salary for optometrists in the UK is £58,000 per year. The highest salaries are typically found in London and the South East of England, where salaries can exceed £70,000.

In terms of trends in the job market, the demand for optometrists is expected to increase over the next few years due to an aging population and an increasing awareness of the importance of eye health.

The introduction of new technologies such as telemedicine and virtual reality are likely to create more opportunities for optometrists.

Similar Courses in the UK

Other university courses related to Optometry include Ophthalmic Dispensing, Orthoptics, and Vision Science.

Ophthalmic Dispensing focuses on the practical application of optical science, teaching students the skills needed to design, supply, and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Orthoptics is a specialized area of optometry that focuses on the diagnosis and management of eye movement disorders.

Vision Science is an interdisciplinary field that combines the study of optics, vision, and neuroscience to understand how the visual system works.

The key differences between these courses and Optometry are that Optometry focuses on the diagnosis and management of eye and vision problems, while the other courses focus on specific areas of the eye and vision field.

In short: Ophthalmic Dispensing focuses on the practical application of optical science, Orthoptics focuses on the diagnosis and management of eye movement disorders, and Vision Science focuses on the study of optics, vision, and neuroscience.

UK Curriculum

The key topics and modules covered in an Optometry course in the UK typically include:

• Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye: This module covers the structure and function of the eye, including the anatomy of the eye, the physiology of vision, and the optics of the eye.
• Ophthalmic Optics: This module covers the principles of optics and the use of optical instruments, including the use of lenses and prisms, and the measurement and correction of refractive errors.
• Clinical Optometry: This module covers the diagnosis and management of eye diseases and disorders, as well as the application of optical aids and contact lenses.
• Contact Lens Practice: This module covers the use and fitting of contact lenses, and the management of contact lens-related problems.
• Low Vision and Rehabilitation: This module covers the diagnosis and management of low vision, as well as the use of low vision aids.
• Professional Practice: This module covers the professional responsibilities of an optometrist, including the ethical and legal aspects of practice.

Hands-on experience and practical work are integral to an Optometry course. Students will typically have the opportunity to work with patients in a clinical setting, as well as practice fitting contact lenses and using optical instruments.

Alumni Network

Notable alumni from the course of optometry include Dr. George Waring IV , who is a professor at the University of Alabama School of Optometry. He is an internationally recognized leader in the field of optometry and has contributed to the advancement of the profession through his research, teaching, and clinical practice.

Dr. Waring has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and has lectured extensively on the topics of contact lenses, ocular disease, and vision care. He is also the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the American Academy of Optometry’s Distinguished Service Award and the American Optometric Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

The University of Alabama School of Optometry also hosts an annual Alumni Reunion, which is a great opportunity for alumni to connect with each other and stay up to date on the latest developments in the field.

Alumni also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of networking events, such as the Alumni Networking Dinner, which is held twice a year. This event provides alumni with the opportunity to meet and network with fellow alumni and faculty members. Additionally, alumni can join the Alumni Association, which provides access to exclusive events and resources.

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How to Write – A Killer Personal Statement Optometry Example

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!

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

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

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.

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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.

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.

An overview of the redraft process

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.

We help condense your personal statement to meet the 4000 word characters by trimming unnecessary words and sentences.

Grammar checking

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

Expert advice

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.

The Ultimate Med

Ready package.

Make sure you get that coveted place in medical school with our ultimate saver bundle. This bundle includes 10 medicine personal statement redrafts, 10 roles & responsibilities/non-academic form redrafts and our medicine interview bundle normally worth £320. Purchasing this package, will help you save almost £70 if you were to buy each service individually!

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 at a minimum of ABB (or equivalent qualifications). The Grade A must be in a 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.

Ophthalmic Personal Statement

Sample Ophthalmic Personal Statement

My ambition to study for a degree in Ophthalmic or Optometry has its origins in my mother’s eye problems. She suffers from an obstruction in the eye which is causing her to lose her sight.

I have also spent many years working in positions of care, mainly as a schoolteacher, and I feel strongly that my central human responsibility is to use whatever abilities I have to help more vulnerable people. I have therefore decided as mature student to retrain and spend the rest of my career attending to the problems of people’s vision and enabling them to live a normal life. In preparation for a further degree in Orthoptics I am currently studying on an access course at Mancat College, St John’s Campus, Manchester, to gain a Diploma in Medical Health Science, with modules in Biology, Chemistry and Maths with Physics.

My mother’s condition has made me deeply interested in the problems of damaged vision, and I am keen to explore ocular biology and optics in detail and to learn about ophthalmic lenses and dispensing, and the clinical skills needed by the optician. I am interested in the problems of binocular vision and should like to discover more about visual neuroscience as well as the pathology of the eye. As a mature student with extensive experience of the working world I believe I have a thoroughly professional attitude in dealing with other people as well as the scientific background on which a study of optics can be built, and I also feel that to be able to respond to patients’ disabling problems with their sight would bring me the deepest possible sense of personal fulfilment.

I have spent the last ten years in education, working first for supply teacher agencies as an education recruitment consultant, which involved interviewing and assessing candidates for supply teaching. Some of this work was administrative, but it gave me experience of hierarchies and office procedure. After this I spent three years as a teacher of science at Hartshead Sports College, where I fulfilled all the duties of the full-time teacher, preparing and delivering lessons, assessing, guiding, and keeping records. I then became a supply teacher myself, working for Celsian Teacher Recruitment Agency, covering absent teachers in a variety of secondary schools and teaching science and maths but also some French. In 2010 the agency gave me the Teacher of the Term award for my reliability and flexibility. In the last year I have devoted my time to the care of my ailing parents, ministering to their daily needs such as personal care and working with other health care professionals to maintain their comfort and quality of life. I also perform some voluntary work, training as a team member in the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, doing volunteer ward duties at Tameside Hospital and working with stroke victims at the local Stroke Club.

I have read several books on my subject, such as Dan Rutherford’s Strokes , which deals particularly with the effect of the condition on sight, and Revell’s Strabismus; a History of Orthoptic Techniques . I also keep abreast of new developments in my field through following stories in the media. I visited the Orthoptics and the Radiography Departments at the University of Liverpool earlier this year and discussed my plans with the staff there, which I found very informative.

In my spare time I like to keep fit, going to a gym, swimming and riding my mountain bike. My approach to everything I do is responsible and professional and I take pride in my accuracy and concern for detail. I communicate well, enjoy working with others but have the confidence to be happy to take responsibility for my own decisions. My commitment to my subject is clear, and I believe I have the qualities to become a successful undergraduate.

We hope this sample Ophthalmic personal statement has proved a useful resource.

Personal Statement

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

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 Examples

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 prescription records and booking appointments. It also included working with patients directly, using equipment such as an auto-refractor, auto non-contact tonometer and visual fields machine as part of the pre-test procedures.

In addition, I have spent a day shadowing an Ophthalmologist at the practice. This allowed me to observe how eye examinations are carried out, witnessing the specialist equipment used, such as the slit-lamp and ophthalmoscope, alongside other professional skills.

This beneficial experience has improved my teamwork, public relations and customer care abilities, and self-confidence by working with people in a high street practice environment.

Following GCSEs, I studied AS level Civic Education, Nutrition and English Language & Literature. Despite getting on well with my initial AS choices, I was inspired by the experience of working with opticians, which developed into an ambition of studying optometry at University and becoming an Optometrist in the long term.

After researching the necessary background, I changed my subjects to Chemistry, Human Biology and Psychology, which required me to complete a further year of sixth-form study.

I chose to complete the whole English A level, which has complemented the other subjects well. They have been psychologically beneficial to me because I now feel I am on the right track, at the same time broadening my understanding and skills in science and computation.

I have enjoyed reading various books, including Carlos-Ruiz Zafon and Arthur Conan Doyle. This has widened my reading undertaken for English and reflects my interest in reading additional materials. I especially enjoy cycling every day to get around and enjoy swimming and tennis. I can be a ready volunteer and have spent a day making key rings to promote a lent activity at a local Church.

I am a confident and hard-working individual with 100% attendance. I also have two awards for exceptional attendance. Through work experience, I have visited the Pinsonte School of Music & Drama and The Royal Academy of Vintage Art.

This allowed me to view an entire educational organisation in action and observe the lives of students and staff. I, therefore, feel I have some idea of the Higher Education experience.

I believe that my high self-motivation and enthusiasm for optometry, coupled with my intensive research and independent study before starting my revised AS programme, have equipped me to succeed in my chosen course.

Please kindly consider my Optometry personal statement for admission into your university.

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Personal Statement Example

Excellent Optometry Personal Statement Example

Optometry personal statement online for all.

Optometry personal statement the same as geography personal statement is arranged well through our service for all. This statement will be written by our experts in order to make it strong and quality rich. This kind of best personal statement is always successful in attracting the admission for you.

We are perfect and best for writing your personal statement for pharmacy school or optometry. Our personal statement writing service online is reliable and economical as well too. We write personal statements very regularly for the students all over the world and all our clients are always happy with our services too. It is your turn now to try our services for availing your personal statement.

Optometry Personal Statement Example

My knowledge with various subjects in my school helped me well to excel well at academic front so far. Especially, my command and knowledge acquired in subjects like mathematics, economics and chemistry requires special mentioning here. Knowledge in mathematics helped me to improve my analytical skills and problem resolving skills to a great extent. Reasoning and investigation is also added additional skills for me through command over mathematics. Similarly, chemistry subject knowledge allowed me to understand well molecular level ideas and improved as well my manipulative skills too. My economics subject knowledge made more adaptive for the any kind of situation. Definitely, these three subjects knowledge instilled special qualities and skills in me until now. I find myself as apt to take optometry degree keeping in mind my acquired skills and knowledge. It has been my greatest desire and goal now to complete optometry degree in your prestigious college. I knew it well the opted degree program demands more commitment from me and my acquired skills are definitely going to be a greatest support for this purpose too. This career prospective degree program helps me build my career in a better way to excel well at optical work field. Mainly, correcting vision of the people something that I could able to offer in return to my country through completing this degree program. I regularly participate in many volunteering activities in order to find out others around us and to understand their opinions and ideas from their perspective. It offered me a chance to understand the world and it gave me chance to understand, what is that I could able to offer to this world in return. My acquired academic exposure and experience through volunteering made me decide towards acquiring degree in optometry and applied to your institute along with my application and all other credentials. I am seriously interested in pursuing this program with utmost devotion and determination. My devotion and determination will help me well to do well with the program and to build my future too. I am sincerely requesting you to consider my application through going through my candidature. The chance given will help me to prove about myself and to be a part of world as real help in improving the vision of the public. I will be waiting to hear your acceptance.

This  nurse personal statement is available for everyone all over the world and is used to get useful information and assistance.

Be sure that this optometry personal statement example written by our professionals will be a great help in your future!

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Optometrist.

Have you ever wondered how the human eye works, its abilities and how it adapts to glasses and contact lenses? If so, becoming a doctor for eyes could be the thing for you!

Optometrists specialise in examining the eyes. They check for overall health, vision problems, and can spot serious health conditions.

An optometrist focuses on one of the essential senses humans have. It’s much more than fitting glasses and advising customers on contact lenses, it's about patient care, providing responsible and helpful treatment and the use of specialist eye equipment.

An optometrist is often confused with an ophthalmologist or an orthoptist . While an optometrist is a routine eye care professional, who is a specialist in eyes, orthoptists are eye specialists who generally have a more research-based optician career, whereas an ophthalmologist is an eye specialist doctor who will carry out medical procedures.

What is an optometrist?

An optometrist will examine, assess and prescribe relevant visual aids for a patient’s eyes. Their work involves routine eye care, checking a patient’s vision, and spotting disorders and diseases.

Optometrists work in a number of areas. They may work as part of a wider eyecare chain, as part an independent opticians, or work visiting vulnerable individuals in their homes, such as the elderly, those with mobility problems or learning disabilities that affect their ability to attend services.

Responsibilities

An optometrist’s responsibilities depend on their level of experience, and the setting they work in. Usual responsibilities can include:

• Advising on aftercare for eyes.
• Offer support and advice in deciding on the best visual support devices,as well as what kind of lenses are best suited to their needs.
• Recognising any eye related medical conditions,especially if they have any vision related conditions.
• Supporting patients in fitting visual devices,assessing any prescription requirements and sharing these with the patient.
• Take detailed notes on a patient’s medical history,and signposting patients to the relevant doctor or healthcare practitioner for treatment.
• Taking routine eye examinations for patients,such as glaucoma,such as information on administering eye drops.
• Training up and supporting junior staff members.
• Working alongside sales teams within an opticians,such as patients choosing between contact lenses and glasses,such as promoting particular eyewear products for relevant patients.,such as teaching patients on the best way to fit contact lenses.

An optometrist salary varies depending on the setting you work in. If you work within the NHS, your pay will be dictated by the Agenda for Change pay scale . As a trainee optician, you’ll begin on £23,949 - £26,282. Once qualified, you’re likely to be on band 6, earning £33,706 - £40,588. Senior or specialist optometrist jobs in the NHS can reach bands 7 to 8b (£41,659 - £65,262). Optometrists working in chain or high street settings can usually expect to earn around the £30,000 mark [1] .. This can be higher or lower depending on location and level of seniority in practice.

Qualifications

You’ll need an optometry degree approved by the General Optical Council (GOC) in order to become an optometrist. To apply, you’ll need a minimum of 3 A levels at grades AAB, including two science subjects. This is considered ‘stage one’ of optometry training.

Following completion of your degree, you’ll need to complete ‘stage two’, which involves a year to 18 months spent observing a registered optometrist. You could carry this out within the NHS, or in a private practice. Once you have completed both stages of the qualification process, you’ll join the GOC opticians register to practice and apply for registered optometrist jobs.

Training and development

The training you’ll need to practice will be covered as part of your optometry degree and stage two placements. You’ll also learn a great deal on the job once you’re in practice.

As part of your registration with the GOC, you’ll need to undertake regular continuing professional development (CPD). This is in order to retain your status as a registrant. This can include shadowing other optometrists, attending conferences and webinars with the GOC, and taking on additional training to enhance your role. You could also apply for membership with The College of Optometrists and attend various opportunities for online learning.

Your skills as an optometrist combine a robust knowledge of the eye with providing a great patient experience. These include:

• An excellent knowledge of the eye, as well as relevant visual problems and disorders.
• An ability to keep up to date with the latest advancements in optometry.
• Good social skills, both for patient facing activities and your work as part of a wider team within an opticians or NHS practice.
• Good teamworking skills - you’ll need to work well with non clinical and clinical colleagues across a large team.
• Understanding of sales and/or marketing, especially if you are working with a private or high street practice.
• Strong ability in using technological optometrist equipment for examinations and diagnosis.
• Confidence in working with members of the public from various ages, abilities and backgrounds.
• Ability to liaise well with other clinical colleagues, signposting patients that require follow up treatment.

Work Experience

It’s a good idea to gain some work experience in an optometry setting prior to applying for an optometry degree. Places are often competitive, so this can help you stand out from other applicants, especially when it comes to writing your optometry personal statement. You can contact local NHS optometry departments to ask to shadow their practitioners, or you could reach out directly to high street opticians.

Once you’re studying, you could apply for sales roles or non clinical roles within high street opticians. This will give you a well rounded experience of the overall workings and opticians, especially if you’re given the chance to shadow registered optometrists.

Career Prospects

Your career prospects as an optometrist are generally good, with optometry sitting between both NHS and private healthcare.

You may choose to work your way up through the NHS bands, moving into specialist optometry and consultant optometrist positions within outpatient and inpatient care. Alternatively, you could focus your work on private practice, eventually running your own opticians or owning a franchised eyecare chain.

If you particularly enjoy the academic side of your work, you could also aim towards teaching in higher education on optometry degree courses. You could work your way towards becoming a senior or principal lecturer.

• [1] Cartographer Salaries in United Kingdom — Glassdoor.co.uk Retrieved 7 September 2022.

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How to write a wicked awesome personal statement

Today I want to reach out to those prospective students out there who are trying to tackle the ever-daunting personal statement.

For some of you, writing isn’t your strong suit, writing about yourself is uncomfortable, and fitting everything within 4,500 characters seems impossible. However, personal statements are extremely important. They are the “face” to your application. Without it, you’re only a list of achievements and scores.

Kristen Tobin, Director of Admissions at NECO, says, “The purpose of a personal statement is for a student to provide a more personalized overview of who they are as a person and as an applicant.  The personal statement is great opportunity for a student to talk about their journey and what has led them to the decision to pursue optometry.” This is your chance to show admissions who you really are before they call you in to interview!

In this blog I’ve compiled some strategies I found helpful, some advice from NECO Admissions, and web resources to help you write a killer personal statement.

Start early.

Writing is a process, and this is one of the most important things you’ll write, so you want to give yourself plenty of time. Begin your brainstorming at least a month in advance! Ms. Tobin advises, “As students sit down to write their personal statement, I encourage them to take some time to reflect on their own academic, professional and personal experiences and how those experiences led them to applying to optometry school and to NECO.” After cranking out your first draft, put it away for several days. Look at it again with fresh eyes, then revise and revise again. When you think you’ve finished, take it to a friend, mentor, or writing center for feedback. Repeat as necessary. You’ll go through several revisions before you have a final copy.

Avoid summarizing your resume.

Your personal statement is not your resume in word form. Admissions will already have a list of your achievements and extracurricular activities in addition to your GPA and OAT scores. What they really need to know is who you are as a person, what you value, and what kind of doctor you will be. Ms. Tobin explains, “At NECO we complete a very holistic approach of applications which includes reviewing grades, test scores, work, volunteer and extracurricular experience, and letters of recommendation. What the personal statement adds to the equation is insight into the student as a person and also as a potential student and optometrist.”

Tell a story.

Admissions staff will be reading through hundreds of applications; yours needs to stand out. Try structuring your personal statement in a way that follows a narrative. Begin with a hook, something that draws the reader in, such as a particular experience or personality trait that makes you unique. Then use that throughout the paper to keep a natural flow. While a thesis statement is not necessary for personal statements, I recommend having one to guide and structure the rest of your paper.

For example, I began my personal statement by describing the scene at one of my volunteer experiences. I then used aspects of that experience throughout the paper to illustrate why optometry is a good fit and what traits I felt qualified me to be admitted.

One of the purposes of the personal statement is for admissions to find out what kind of person you are. This is your chance to show your personality! Talk about why you chose optometry and what motivates you to succeed. It might feel more natural to talk about your family, the doctors you shadowed, or particular patient experiences, but remember to focus on  you . The admissions staff at NECO wants you to know “The best personal statements are reflective, thoughtful, honest and most importantly, well written!  We understand that not every student has a radically compelling story but we know that everyone does have something to share.  I find that optometry students are some of the most dedicated, hard-working and compassionate people I have ever met and often times the best essays exude these qualities.

Still feeling lost? Check out these articles written for students just like you:

• “Your application to [optometry] school is a testimony to your desire to ultimately be a doctor. The admissions committee will look at your essay to see that you’ve answered the obvious, but not so simple, question “Why?” You must be able to explain your motivation for attending [optometry] school.” The Student Doctor Network
• “Remember that you’re selling yourself as a great addition to the profession. This is where you talk about your strengths, passion for the field, and all your extra-curricular hard work you’ve done in preparing for optometry school.” oatcracker.com/blog
• “The goal of this essay is to have your reader put down your [personal statement] and say to themselves “wow, this applicant knows exactly why they want to become a [optometrist] and it’s legit.” NOT “oh wow this applicant is very qualified.” reddit.com/the-personal-statement

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