Berkeley Optometry Ambassadors (BOA)

Ellen Beebe
ellenmbeebe@berkeley.edu

Hello, my name is Ellen, and I am so happy to be a student at Berkeley Optometry! I grew up in Santa Cruz, CA, and obtained my BA at Willamette University, located in Salem, Oregon. As an undergrad student, I studied abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico as well as Seville, Spain and developed a deep respect for the culture and history of both regions. Toward the end of college, I began considering what I wanted to be when I "grew up," and the more I researched optometry, the more I realized it was an excellent fit for me. Every optometrist I met was enthusiastic about their chosen profession and clearly enjoyed developing relationships with patients and giving back to the community. After completing my degree in Spanish language and literature, I worked as an optometric assistant while I completed the remainder of my prerequisites at Western Oregon and Chemeketa Community College. Studying at Berkeley Optometry has been a dream come true for me! The faculty and staff consistently amaze me; the professors are incredibly compassionate and they invest in the success of every student. I also love the program's emphasis on service; I have really enjoyed volunteering at vision screenings throughout the Bay Area. They have also proven to be wonderful learning opportunities. When I'm not studying, I enjoy running in the expansive Tilden Park near campus or exploring the Bay Area with my classmates. If you have any questions about Berkeley Optometry, please feel free to ask; I am more than happy to oblige!

Daphne Chan
chandaphne@berkeley.edu

Hello! As an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, I majored in Public Health and minored in Education. I was once "extremely undeclared," discussing career choices with anyone and everyone! Things changed after second year, when I joined Foresight Pre-Optometry Club, realized that I loved working directly with people, shadowed several great optometrists, and discovered that optometry is a rewarding health field that allows plenty of personal, one-to-one attention with patients … Perfect! As president of Foresight my senior year, I dedicated myself to educating students about optometry. I expanded the mentorship program, emphasized the diverse and progressive nature of optometry to members, and organized the first Berkeley Foresight visit to the Southern California College of Optometry! Now, as a Berkeley Optometry Ambassador, I hope to utilize my experiences and continue to mentor others who are interested in this field (so email me!). Two of the reasons I chose Berkeley Optometry are the tangibly deep sense of community here and the myriad opportunities students have to get involved in the profession. In my free time, I like to watch movies, reread my Harry Potter books, eat yummy things, bake, hang out with friends and family, practice Taekwondo, and volunteer at my church in my hometown of San Francisco. I look forward to your email—I'd love to help you if I can! Go Bears!

Julie Ching
julie_ching@berkeley.edu

I was born and raised in the wonderful Bay Area. As an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, I majored in Molecular Environmental Biology with an emphasis in Environment and Human Health. With my major, as well as having parents in the health field, I knew I wanted a rewarding career as a healthcare professional. Apart from my annual eye exams ("Which is better, 1 or 2?"), I was not aware of the scope of the field of optometry until I took a freshman seminar on vision and ocular health. The course helped debunk many common misconceptions we have of our eyes and really expanded my knowledge of optometry. After joining Foresight, the pre-optometry club at Cal, and working at a private practice for two years, I knew that I wanted to become an optometrist. Seeing how important my doctor is in his patients' lives and the differences he makes in his community really inspired my career path. Now, returning to Cal, I have come to appreciate everything Berkeley Optometry can offer. The caring, enthusiastic faculty and staff, the hands-on experience, and the amazing student body help make Berkeley Optometry a rich, tight-knit family. As a class officer, I am active in many fun events as well. Please feel free to email me with any questions; I would love to share my experiences with you!

Sabrina Graziano
sgraziano@berkeley.edu

Hi there! I am from the small but quaint town of Atwater, CA After finishing high school, my goal was to attend a renowned university near the ocean and major in health science. So, I traveled half way down the state to attend UC San Diego. The change in life-style proved to be quite drastic. I went from a rural town with no mall, no fancy restaurants, or even a Starbucks, to an expansive city littered with shopping, nightclubs, beaches, and the occasional celebrities. While San Diego's atmosphere offered a huge distraction from my studies, I managed a tight schedule for work and play and successfully graduated with a BS in Microbiology. I chose optometry as my future profession during my second year of undergrad, soon after starting an internship at an optometric group practice. It was during this time thatI gained invaluable experience and a passion for the growing field of optometry. After what seemed as a rather natural career choice, I was determined to attend Berkeley Optometry. As I mentioned in my interview, the three reasons I chose Berkeley as my top optometry school were its history, research development, and hands-on curriculum. Berkeley is a beautiful and culturally rich place to live and learn; not to mention that UCB is considered the best graduate program in the world! Education at this institution has been exceptional, and I have absolutely no regrets in my choice of profession. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. GOOOOOO Bears!

Lisa Kamino
lkamino@berkeley.edu

During my undergraduate career at UC San Diego, I was all over the place with my career goals. I constantly changed my mind between wanting to be a psychologist, chemist, United Nations representative, college professor, artist, event planner, and pretty much every career imaginable until I realized that optometry was the ideal career choice for me. I have always wanted a career where I could directly help others, have a diverse range of career opportunities, and explore my inquisitive nature. Through joining my school's pre-optometry club, shadowing at various optometry offices, and volunteering at the Shiley Eye Center at UCSD, I came to learn that optometry would be a perfect way to fulfill these aspirations. Shadowing at offices and exposing myself to different modes of practice was one of the most important ways that I used to solidify my decision to go into optometry — I came to realize that optometry is so multifaceted that I could see myself loving it for the rest of my life. I definitely recommend trying to find as many ways as possible to get a diverse view of the optometric field and make sure it is the right field for you! I chose Berkeley's program because I was impressed by the school's strong feeling of community, excellent reputation, and opportunities to explore my interest in working internationally — which I have made a reality by traveling to Peru for a VOSH trip and living and working at International House. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. I look forward to welcoming you to UC Berkeley!

Mark Landig
mark.landig@berkeley.edu

Spending my early childhood in a small province in the Philippines, I knew and understood hardship. I was fortunate to have moved to the United States and start a new life open to opportunities. In 2008, I received a Bachelor's of Science in Physiological Science from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). At UCLA, I participated in many organizations: BruinLife Yearbook, mentorship programs, Mortar Board Honors Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Undergraduate Research Consortium, and volunteered at the UCLA Medical Center and several optometry sites hosted by the Lion's Club and UCLA's Pre-Optometry Club. I wish to continue my willingness to give back to the school and community at Berkeley. In 2006, I started the ARC Medical Program in hopes to promote awareness of the importance of communication and interaction among patients and resident doctors to the undergraduate and professional communities. ARC's mission and protocols are easily applicable to any healthcare profession, especially in optometry. My interest in optometry grew after taking Neurophysiology and visiting the Philippines in 2007. I witnessed the country's lack of optometrists and vision care. I am pleased to be part of the diverse, bright, hospitable class of 2013 at UC Berkeley for my optometric studies. With the knowledge that I will receive from renowned Berkeley professors, faculty, and staff, I will be well-equipped and ready to give back. Thank you for stopping by and feel free to email me with any questions you may have.

Andrew Mangum
andrew.mangum@berkeley.edu

I grew up just outside of Portland, Oregon, but have spent the past 12 years of my life in San Diego, California. After graduating from the University of San Diego with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Spanish, I worked for nearly five years within the finance industry. Despite my success, I was unsatisfied with my career path and the unrewarding nature of the work. I knew that I needed a much more fulfilling career. I always had an interest in the sciences, mathematics, and working with underserved communities, so I began looking into different healthcare professions. After many hours of patient interaction within a hospital setting as well as volunteering with and observing optometrists working in private practice, I knew optometry was the career for me. I decided to attend Berkeley Optometry because of the amount of faculty involvement, the welcoming and open environment, the great balance of classroom learning and clinical experience, and the rich cultural diversity of the Bay Area. I hope my background and non-traditional path to Optometry school can be of some help to prospective students. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me!

Albert Nguyen
albertnguyen@berkeley.edu

I was born and raised in Stockton, CA. I moved about an hour north to attend CSU Sacramento, where I received my degree in Biology. For the majority of my undergrad I was struggling between choosing optometry and teaching until I decided I want both. Ideally, I would like to be a clinical professor for fourth-year optometry students or work directly with patients in private practice during the day and moonlight at the local community college teaching a physiology class at night. Picking which optometry school to attend is a completely personal choice. At any of the ASCO member schools you are going to receive an excellent education and training. With my own family being the principle part of my life, I was looking for a college with a strong sense of community. At Berkeley Optometry, you can sense the camaraderie immediately. Be it staff, faculty, or students; everyone wants to see you succeed. Whether that means volunteering their time for campus events or waking up extra early to play a 6am game of basketball with the instructors, we're all in this together. Visit as many schools as your wallet allows, seeing which school matches you and your values. If Berkeley Optometry sounds like it may fit, email me; or better yet, come to our Friday Visitation or Opto-Camp and see for yourself.

Cecilia Tong
ceciliast@berkeley.edu

I was born in Hong Kong, but have spent most of my life in the Bay Area. I went to Berkeley for undergrad where I majored in Integrative Biology and Molecular and Cell Biology. My volunteering experience in high school and college motivated me to pursue a career in healthcare. I chose Optometry out of all the health related disciplines because I felt like it had a great impact on my life. Besides the fact that I had been dependent on glasses ever since I was a child, my sister was also diagnosed with a form of intermittent strabismus. It was with the help of an optometrist who provided early diagnosis and prompt treatment that allowed my sister to overcome her condition. To gain valuable insights into the field, I interned at a general private practice and a pediatric vision therapy office. My experience at the two practices solidified my desire to become an optometrist and motivated me to continue my education at UC Berkeley. It's a comfortable environment filled with diversity and awe-inspiring people. I encourage you to explore Berkeley Optometry and feel free to contact me with your questions!

Theresa Vo
theresav@berkeley.edu

Hi everyone! My name is Theresa and I am so excited that you are interested in Berkeley Optometry. Born and raised in San Jose, CA, I attended UCLA as an undergraduate and received a BS in Psychobiology. I was really involved at UCLA and in the local community, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. But I am glad to be back in the Bay Area, to be close to my family, and to be attending a great university like UC Berkeley! Although I switched career paths multiple times throughout my life, optometry had always been of interest to me. Ironically, it wasn't until I started working as a technician for an ophthalmology practice that I knew for sure that I wanted to be an optometrist. Ophthalmology is a great field, but I know that surgery is definitely not for me. I feel that optometry fits me best, not only as a career, but also as a lifestyle, because I love working one-on-one with people to help them improve the way they see the world and, thus, better their quality of life. If you want to talk about optometry, the admission process, UC Berkeley, or life in general, feel free to email me at any time. I look forward to meeting you!

Greg Wingren
gwingren@berkeley.edu

I grew up in the Bay Area, but moved to southern California after high school. After graduating from UCLA with an Anthropology degree, I quickly returned to the Bay Area where I pursued careers in outdoor education and education research. Though I enjoyed both professions, something was missing. I found that optometry built on the attributes I enjoyed most about my previous careers and filled in the gaps where they were lacking—optometry is intellectually stimulating, has a high level of one-on-one interaction with patients, and is inherently beneficial to individuals and communities. I returned to school and spent two years completing prerequisites at San Francisco State. I consider this to be one of the best decisions I've made in my life. I'm thrilled to study Optometry at Berkeley—its academic reputation is unquestionable, but more than this, a sense of community resonates through the halls. I felt welcomed by the students, faculty, and staff long before my first day of orientation. I'm happy to extend this community by sharing my experiences with you.

Forough Amarlou
famarlou@berkeley.edu

Hi! My name is Forough Amarlou. I was born and raised in Iran. I attended Persian Gulf University for my undergrad, majoring in marine biology. I chose optometry as my future career, because I could enjoy studying my favorite subjects, which are physics and math, and at the same time using my knowledge toward helping people, and enriching people's lives. I moved to the United States in 2004 and attended San Jose State University to complete my prerequisites. As an undergrad at San Jose State University, I volunteered at a non-profit organization to help underprivileged family, tutored in the math department, conducted physics research, and worked at SJSU Research Foundation. My experience in shadowing several great optometrists at a private practice helped me to discover different aspects of the profession. I decided to attend Berkeley Optometry because of the welcoming and friendly environment, its diverse culture, and research opportunity here in campus. I would love to share my experiences and to answer any questions you may have.

Cory Hakanen
chakanen@berkeley.edu

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and my family relocated to northern Indiana in the middle of high school. I attended the University of Notre Dame for my undergrad degree, where I majored in both Science Pre-Professional (a fancy way of saying "pre-med") and Japanese. Although I had always known that I liked to care for people, I never really considered pursuing a medical degree because of the highly intensive and extremely long process. I also didn't want to have my job keep me perpetually stressed, work strange hours, and constantly be on-call. I wanted a more normal lifestyle, one where I could have a family and social life outside the confines of work, which is where Optometry entered the picture. After discovering that optometry school was a different entity entirely from medical school, this revolutionized the way I looked at the allied health professions. I looked at similar programs such as dentistry and veterinary medicine, but I came to the conclusion that my main interest remained the care of one's vision. Coming from the Midwest, I was specifically targeting optometry schools in California because I wanted to keep up and improve on my Japanese, which would be next to impossible elsewhere. I had targeted Berkeley from the beginning because of its academic prestige and lively atmosphere, and I loved seeing it even more in person. Being on a college campus was also very important to me, as opposed to being in a solitary building in a city. I also felt like a member of the family even during the interview process — I relish the feeling of a caring and close-knit community, and I felt that attitude from Berkeley at a capacity of roughly 150%. I hope to someday combine my two passions of optometry and Japanese, and I know Berkeley will lead me down that road better than anywhere else.

Jazzi Junge
jazzij@berkeley.edu

I have been a California native all of my life and grew up in Aptos, near Santa Cruz. After high to school, I became a Cal Bear at UC Berkeley, and majored in Molecular and Cellular Biology, with an emphasis in Neurobiology. Throughout college, I had a fuzzy idea of what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to combine my interest in science with service to others, but I wasnt sure exactly how to do it. I considered a few different career paths in science, and then the summer before my senior year I stumbled upon optometry. The more I learned, the more I was excited about pursuing optometry as a career, and the more it seemed like the perfect combination of what I wanted to do. I attended Opto-Camp, joined Foresight Pre-Optometry Club, and attended the UC Berkeley Fall Conference, and these experiences really helped me finalize my decision. I knew optometry was the right career choice for me mostly because I could see myself being part of the amazing optometry community. I began working in a private practice and shadowed a few different modes of practice as well, and then I began the process of applying to optometry school. I chose Berkeley because of the amazing faculty, the outstanding clinical program, the awesome admissions staff, and especially the incredible students. Additionally, I love Berkeley and think it is a wonderful place to live and learn. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Go Bears!

Monica Liou
monica.liou@berkeley.edu

Hi everyone! I was born and raised in Orlando, Florida and attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta for undergrad, majoring in Biomedical Engineering. Entering college, I had a mindset of pursuing a PhD so I worked in a tissue engineering lab for two years until I realized it wasnt my passion. It was around my junior year that I struggled with what I wanted to do for the rest of my life so I thought about what was most important to me: interaction with people. My interest in optometry grew after being exposed to it through a family friend and after working in several settings as a technician, I was able to confirm my purpose and reason for pursing optometry. In my opinion, Berkeley Optometry stood out from other schools that I applied to because they are completely centered on students. As one of the few out-of-staters, they were able to make me feel really comfortable on Interview Day and really gave me a sense of belonging. For that reason, there was not even a doubt in my mind that they would give me the best education that they possibly could. Please let me know if there are any questions I can answer for you, and feel free to contact me!

Linda S. Ly
lindasly@berkeley.edu

Hello! I'm from Tracy, California, which I like to refer to as "Cow-town." I completed my undergraduate studies at California State University, East Bay. There I obtained a BS in Biological Sciences with a Cell and Molecular emphasis and a minor in Chemistry. I loved my time at CSUEB from being a photographer for the university newspaper to tutoring to discovering what my niche was in society. I believe that we are all individuals primarily because we have this ability to perceive through our sense of sight. Because of this, my life goals are to preserve this individuality by becoming an optometrist and to help those who are less fortunate in obtaining adequate vision care. I was inspired to bring together others who had the same goals and co-founded the first pre-optometry organization at CSUEB where our main focus was eyeglass drives. To gain more knowledge I worked, shadowed or volunteered at VA hospitals, a blind rehabilitation center, vision screenings, private practices, corporate practices, OMD/OD practices and university health clinics. I even interned at a company that manufactures and develops ophthalmic products that optometry offices commonly use to "pre-test". At each location I had a feeling that my life would be extremely fulfilling by being able to work with my patients on an individual basis to improve their vision. I chose Berkeley because of the quality of research, its clinical and academic reputation, and the fact that it is a small program that is part of a larger university. On my free time, I'll definitely be taking advantage of what the large campus and the city of Berkeley has to offer such as gyms, numerous libraries, restaurants and great hiking trails. I'm also a huge foodie, so if you ever hang out with me you will be sure to gain some pounds! I'd love to help out in any way, so feel free to ask me any questions!

Jasdeep Manik
jkmanik@berkeley.edu

I graduated from UC Davis with a major in Biological Sciences, emphasizing in Neurobiology. During undergrad, I ventured into the field of eye care, volunteering at a local optometrist's office. I was exposed to the wide array of diagnostic equipment and learned about different eye conditions, such as keratoconus. The doctor I shadowed also consulted with and referred patients to retinal specialists. Through this experience, I realized the important role of an optometrist as the primary eye care provider. Soon after, I took a neurobiology class on vision and the brain where I became fascinated with the complexity of vision, further igniting my interest in optometry. During my third undergrad year, I got involved with Unite For Sight and its mission to end preventable blindness. Volunteering locally and abroad with UFS helped me recognize the importance of vision as a basic need and my love for working with people. All these experiences together led me to pursue optometry as a career. I chose Berkeley Optometry due to the program's early exposure to clinic and the supportive, collaborative atmosphere. If you have any questions, I am more than happy to answer them!

Melissa Moore
mmoore24@berkeley.edu

I was born and raised in San Jose, CA. I love music, exercise, food, and the Bay Area! My optometry discovery began in high school when three of my family members experienced ocular problems. These conditions demonstrated to me the importance of proper health and routine eye exams. I became fascinated with optometry and immersed myself in the field. I had never worn glasses before so I had a lot to learn! I graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Integrative Biology. In undergrad I marched with the Cal Marching Band and served as a member of Berkeley's pre-optometry club, Foresight. At Berkeley and during a year off, I gained experience in optometry through shadowing, volunteering, and working. The optometry community is the perfect fit for me and vice versa. Every optometry experience brings a smile to my face, reminding me that I know where I belong. I chose to attend Berkeley Optometry because I was convinced that their well-rounded program, early exposure to clinic, and accessible faculty would provide me with a fantastic education and a fulfilling student life. As a future optometrist, I look forward to educating the community about maintaining healthy eyes and bodies, thereby helping them improve their quality of life. Feel free to email me about taking a year off or anything! Go Bears!

Glen Ong
gkcong@berkeley.edu

Hello! My name is Glen and I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta all the way up in Canada. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Calgary, with a major in Biological Sciences. I was initially unsure of what career I wanted; however, volunteering in a hospital and research experience at my university directed my interests towards the sciences, especially the healthcare field. I was also fortunate enough to obtain a part-time position as an optometric technician in a busy optometrists office. After exploring the field further, I decided that optometry was the right career for me. There were many aspects of the profession that appealed to me. Certain ones that stood out were the significant differences you would make in peoples lives as well as the intellectual challenge. Optometry also affords various volunteer humanitarian opportunities in addition to a wide range of career options. The decision to enroll in a school of optometry in the United States was not an easy one. UC Berkeley, however, stood out in its clinical excellence, research reputation, genuine staff and most importantly, its students. What also drew me to Cal was the campus environment and the surrounding area. The Bay Area also deserves a mention as well, with its bright and warm weather, international culture and welcoming people. I truly believe that this is one of the best decisions I've made for my career. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I hope I can answer any questions you might have with Berkeley Optometry!

Yasmine Pilz
ypilz@berkeley.edu

Greetings! I was born and raised in Germany. At the age of twelve, I was plunged headlong into the Californian way of life when I moved to Ventura County. I attended the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) majoring in Neuroscience & Behavior. During my studies at UCSC, I gained valuable research experience while working in an environmental toxicology laboratory. Several neuroscience classes first peaked my interest in optical illusions and perception tests. While my interest in the nervous system has endured, it was not until after graduation that my enthusiasm for optometry developed when shadowing various optometrists and an ophthalmologist. After observing patients eyes under a slit lamp, I was sold! I realized that the technical aspects of the profession and the extensive one-on-one patient interaction was rewarding and fitting for me. Berkeley Optometry not only offers an optometry program of academic and clinical excellence, but also provides unique patient-based research opportunities. The sense of community between students and faculty members was immediately apparent when I visited on Friday Visitation Day and on Admit Day. I feel fortunate to be a part of Berkeley Optometry and would gladly share my experiences with you. If you have any questions concerning the program, life in Berkeley, or any other matters, feel free to email me.

Jed Silos
jdsilos@berkeley.edu

I grew up in Valencia, California and completed my undergraduate studies at UC San Diego with a major in Human Biology. As an undergrad I was still unsure of what career I would choose for the future, so I really took the time exploring my options. I wanted a career that was interesting, challenging, and rewarding at the same time. I also wanted to be able to continue my hobbies, such as music and sports, and still have time to spend with family. I realized that Optometry was exactly what I was looking for! During my third year as an undergrad I started to shadow optometrists at private and hospital settings and was truly fascinated by it all. So I decided to pursue optometry and apply to optometry school. UCB stood out to me because of its clinical excellence, outstanding faculty/staff, and incredible students. Everyone here really caring, hardworking, and devoted to optometry. I have already learned so much as a first-year and I've truly enjoyed my time here so far. Feel free to contact me with any questions, I would be more than happy to help!

Serena Sukhija
ssukhija@berkeley.edu

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, but I spent my last four years in San Diego studying physiology, neuroscience, and economics at the University of California, San Diego. While in San Diego doing my undergrad work, I changed my major five times until I came across the sciences, and I realized I found something I was good at, and it was enjoyable! While at San Diego, I was actively involved with volunteer work, research, a sorority, and the beach,I untimely chose optometry as my career path because of the impact it has made on mine and my families lives: both my brothers and I have worn glasses since we were young, and my father had been diagnosed with macular degeneration. Choosing Berkeley Optometry to pursue my career was an easy one. Berkeley Optometry faculty, staff, and students are so friendly and welcoming; everyone I met wanted to see me succeed. The cultural diversity of the Bay Area, the clinical experience I will receive here, and of course the school spirit were also a huge draw for me. In my free time, I like to dance, work out, go to the beach, and shop! If you have questions about anything, email me! I am more than happy to help!

Charmine Trajano
ctrajano@berkeley.edu

Hi! My name is Charmine and I am from San Diego, CA. I graduated from UC San Diego with a BS in Human Biology and a minor in Linguistics. During my first two years of undergrad, I did not have a clear idea of what I wanted to do as a career. I knew that I wanted a fulfilling career that will utilize my science degree and apply it to helping others. Enter: UCSD's Insight Pre-Optometry Club. During my first meeting, I learned so many fascinating things about optometry, and started then to seriously consider optometry as a career path. As an undergraduate teacher's assistant and biochemistry tutor, I enjoyed teaching my students, and as a prospective optometrist, I look forward to educating my patients about their eyes and systemic health as well. I solidified my interest in optometry through interning and shadowing optometrists from different modes of practice, and visiting schools in New York, Boston, and those in California. What especially stood out for me about Berkeley Optometry was the strong sense of community and collaboration. It was here that I discovered that students, staff, and faculty all worked together in an environment that is nourishing, encouraging, and challenging. Now in my first year, I am excited to learn more about this profession and encourage you to do the same! Please feel free to email me with any questions. I am more than happy to help!

Patti Yip
pyip@berkeley.edu

Hi! I'm Patty and I grew up in Sacramento, CA, but went to sunny San Diego to study Biochemistry and Cell Biology at UCSD. My interest in optometry began when I was in the third grade, I was rapidly getting more nearsighted every year and my optometrist prescribed me hard contact lenses. As a little kid, I loved my contacts and being able to run around and play on the playground without glasses on my face. I knew I wanted to help people feel like their life was better, just like how my optometrist helped me. In college, I worked as an optician and was able to interact with patients and see firsthand the doctor-patient relationship. I was excited at the thought of being an optometrist, and my choice for optometry school was confirmed. Berkeley Optometry is a great program because on day one, you start training in pre-clinic, and it makes learning in the classroom relevant to what you will actually be doing in a practice! Also, the faculty and optometry staff truly care for their students, and really do all they can to teach and push us to be the best doctors we can be. I would be happy to answer any questions that you have, so please email me!

Jill Yuzuriha
jill.yuzuriha@berkeley.edu

I was born in Portland, Oregon, but have spent most of my life just outside of Portland in Vancouver, Washington. During my undergrad years I attended Stanford University, where I majored in Biology and Asian American Studies. Pursuing such varied interests while in college helped me to realize the range of characteristics I was looking for in a future career: engagement in science and research, ample opportunities to interact with people while impacting their lives in a tangible, positive way, and enough flexibility so that I could find fulfillment in my career as well as in other areas of my life. I had considered optometry in the back of my mind since I began doing research at Devers Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon after my freshman year in college, but it was not until I started shadowing several optometrists that I decided optometry was the ideal profession for me. I hope to be able to help people like my father, who was diagnosed with glaucoma at a relatively young age and has shown me just how precious the gift of sight is. I chose to attend Berkeley because of the great clinical and research-based education I knew I would receive here, and because of the pride and enthusiasm that Berkeley Optometry students and faculty unfailingly show for their school and their profession. I am so excited to be at Berkeley Optometry, and I look forward to helping you with any questions you may have, regardless of where you are in the process of deciding to pursue optometry!

Ann Chang
annchang@berkeley.edu

I grew up mostly in Arizona (and a little in Texas and Canada), and I'm happy to call Berkeley my home now. When I entered college, I hadn't even considered optometry as a career option since I'd never had regular appointments and my exposure to the field was limited to dissecting sheep eyeballs in middle school. I was lucky to walk through Minor Hall many times as an undergraduate as I considered career possibilities. These glimpses encouraged me to learn more, and after researching the field online, I signed up for an optometry seminar and a vision and science course. I joined a lab in Minor Hall to explore the research aspect of the field, and shadowed several doctors to experience different clinics. Shadowing pushed me to pursue a more active role working in an optometry clinic for a summer, and I also joined a service group to provide vision screenings to the community. The more I immersed myself, the more convinced I grew that optometry was the field for me. I've really enjoyed clinical work for the patient interactions, and I enjoy research for the opportunities to ask and answer questions. I'm considering going into clinical research so I can live in both worlds, and I feel that Berkeley provides fantastic clinical experience as well as many research opportunities. Feel free to ask any questions and I look forward to seeing you in pre-clinic!

Stephanie Chen
stephanie.chen@berkeley.edu

Hello! I grew up in the Bay Area and graduated from UC San Diego with a major in General Biology and a minor in Psychology. I was always particularly interested in the health sciences, but I didn't know that I wanted to pursue optometry until the end of my third year in college. After shadowing a nearby optometrist for the first time, I knew it was a career I could see myself doing. I really like the doctor-patient interaction and the primary care aspect in optometry. With an interest in optometry, I did as much as I could to learn more. I joined the pre-optometry club, Insight, attended Fall Conference and open houses at various optometry schools, and shadowed and interned in different optometry settings. I took a year off before applying for optometry schools so I could gain more experience. I worked at the Meredith Morgan Eye Center during my year off and was able to familiarize myself more with optometry. I kept an open mind in choosing schools and still decided that Berkeley Optometry is the best because of its strong clinical experience, academics, and great faculty, staff, and students. I am so excited to be at Berkeley Optometry! Please feel free to email me with any questions!

Nathan Cheung
nathanlcheung@berkeley.edu

Hey everyone! Let me share with you a bit about myself. I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. I went to Queen's University, where I graduated with a Major in Life Sciences. At the beginning, I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare sector, but was unsure of what area. I was fortunate enough to be able to experience the different healthcare environments throughout my academic career. From my experiences, I was able to understand the different healthcare professions and myself a lot better. My heart had finally settled on optometry. I realized I enjoyed the business aspect of having your own practice along with the medical side of seeing patients everyday. In my second year summer, I took my OAT and began to look at optometry schools. I was initially hesitant to apply to Berkeley because I was unsure if they admitted international students into their program. It was only until I emailed them and came for Opto-camp did I realize the opportunities that lied in store for me here. From then on, I was set on attending Berkeley and haven't looked back ever since. So please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns you may have with the admission process and about our school. I look forward to meeting you in person!

Amelia Fanaieyan
afanaieyan@berkeley.edu

Hi! My name is Amelia and I grew up in Orinda, a small city fifteen minutes away from Berkeley. I went to UC Davis where I got a degree in Exercise Biology. When I was younger my sister's vision was changing so rapidly her optometrist thought she would be blind by the age of sixteen. Luckily, her nearsightedness slowed down and stabilized, but this occurrence sparked my interest in optometry. I initially didn't know what this profession entailed; however, during my third and fourth years at UC Davis I started shadowing a couple optometrists and got a better understanding of the field. Due to my positive experiences shadowing, I began looking at different optometry programs. I attended events at UCB such as the Fall Conference and Opto-Camp. One thing that caught my attention about the program was the immediate exposure to eye related subjects, which showed Berkeley Optometry's level of devotion to preparing its students for success as future optometrists. In addition, talking to current students and hearing about their positive experiences with peers and professors solidified my interest in Berkeley Optometry. If you have any questions, feel free to email me!

Lindsey Hong
lindseyh@berkeley.edu

Hi! My name is Lindsey and I grew up in Fremont, CA. I graduated from UC Berkeley, majoring in Integrative Biology. I came into Berkeley knowing that I wanted to pursue a career in the health sciences, but was unsure of which field I wanted to go into. I always had a good relationship with my optometrist, so I asked if I could shadow her. After shadowing her for 3 weeks during winter break, I was confident that I wanted to pursue optometry as a health profession. Besides improving my quality of life by prescribing me ortho-k lenses, I observed how she had such a great impact on several people's lives, and I knew that I wanted to do the same. I took several optometry-related classes at Berkeley, became a member of Foresight Pre-Optometry Club, and volunteered at the Binocular Vision clinic in Berkeley's Eye Center. Each experience made me more confident of my decision to become an optometrist. I chose Berkeley Optometry because of its excellent clinical program, personable and accessible faculty, great students, and of course, my memorable experience as an undergrad at Berkeley. I received a lot of help and support during this process- I'd be more than happy to do the same for you! Feel free to contact me with any questions, and look forward to meeting you!

Jennifer Juang
j.juang@berkeley.edu

I was born and raised in southern CA. After graduating from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, I decided to live and work abroad in Taiwan for a few years before returning to the states. My trip abroad was a life-changing event that added depth to my limited worldview and experiences; eventually, it also helped me in my preparation by adding diversity to my life. After returning to southern CA, while working at my last job, I met my optometrist who inspired me to this career path. She graduated from Berkeley Optometry and after talking to her and learning more about optometry, I couldn't stop thinking about it! I had always been interested in the field from childhood experiences, and I had also taken a vision science seminar while at UC Berkeley, but I had never seriously considered pursuing the field until then. Thus shortly afterwards, I began my rigorous preparation for optometry school by becoming a student again to fulfill the many prerequisites for admissions. I also had a chance to gain exposure to the field by shadowing, talking to different optometrists, and volunteering or working at different practices. In the end, I chose Berkeley again because of the school's history and caring community, academic excellence, top faculty, enthusiastic staff, and unforgettable experiences as an undergraduate. My path towards optometry has been rather atypical, so I would be happy to answer questions or share my thoughts with you from the perspective of a non-traditional student!

Rachel Kaneta
rkaneta@berkeley.edu

I was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii. I attended Linfield College, a small private institution in McMinnville, Oregon, where I majored in Chemistry and minored in Biology/Math. Through experiences as a chemistry TA/tutor and studying abroad in Chile and New Zealand, I grew to love education, travel, and connecting with people from all walks of life, so I knew a career in a helping profession would be a good fit. In addition, I was fascinated with vision since I started wearing contacts at a young age. I worked as a technician for my family's optometrist after my junior year of college and enjoyed it. After graduating, I took time off to gain real world experience and further explore careers. This time off was truly invaluable. It helped me discover optometry would be the perfect fit, bringing together my interest in vision, knack for detail, passion for helping people, and desire for lifelong learning. I also interviewed at schools in Oregon and New York, but ultimately chose Berkeley because it stood out in every aspect! Berkeley was not only strong academically and clinically, but also offered a well-rounded experience where I could keep up hobbies such as playing basketball and going to concerts! I was drawn to the diversity of the Bay Area and the fun, caring people I met in the program. I would love to share my experiences about taking time off from school, coming from out of state, or any other questions you have! Feel free to contact me!

Rajpreet Kaur
rajpreetkaur@berkeley.edu

Hi there! My name is Raj and I'd love to talk to you about Berkeley Optometry! I grew up in the small town, Tracy, CA, and after seeing my optometrist year after year, there my interest in Optometry began to increase. What drew me to this field is that when I started becoming myopic, I realized how important vision is to quality of life and I wanted to do something in which I could impact someone's life every time they came to me. And Optometry fits that description perfectly! I attended UC Berkeley as an undergraduate and majored in Public Health. The sciences have always fascinated me and I wanted a career where I could join my love for science with my desire to help others. During my undergrad years I decided to make sure Optometry was the right career for me by shadowing optometrists, participating in Berkeley's Pre-Optometry Club, Foresight, and by working in an optometry research lab for two and half years. After seeing this profession as a group of people working towards a similar goal (providing amazing eye care), I decided this is a profession I wanted to be a part of. Once I visited a few schools, choosing Berkeley Optometry was an easy decision for me. The caring faculty, helpful staff, and the welcoming student body make it feel as if they're here to make sure you become an amazing doctor, and that is the main thing I wanted from a school. As a Berkeley Optometry Ambassador I hope to hear from you and to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to email me any time! Go bears!

Janet Ko
jyko@berkeley.edu

Hello! I'm Janet and I grew up in Simi Valley, CA which is in SoCal. I attended Cal as an undergrad and graduated with a Molecular and Cell Biology major with an emphasis in Cell & Developmental Biology. I actually didn't decide on going into the optometry field until the summer before my senior year. I got interested in vision science when I volunteered in a summer program that taught third-graders about the different parts of the eye and dissected a cow's eyeball together. In my senior year, I took an optometry seminar and shadowed an optometrist at Kaiser. As I observed the various health conditions an optometrist looks for and the kind of care an optometrist provides for the patients, I realized how much I had taken optometrists and my eye health for granted. Working at an optometry office during my year off and seeing about the level of care optometrists can provide helped solidify my decision to become an optometrist. I chose Berkeley Optometry because I was attracted to the strong sense of community among the faculty, staff, and students and because of the various clinical opportunities that are available to the students. I'm excited to start my first year as an optometry student and I will be glad to get to know you and answer any questions you may have!

Cynthia Musante
musante@berkeley.edu

I am from Fort Collins, CO and received my undergraduate degree in Anthropology from the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU). I chose optometry after watching my younger brother struggle in school due to poor eye muscle coordination and then witnessing the positive, life-changing impact of Vision Therapy on his academics. His experiences in Vision Therapy, and later mine, encouraged me to pursue optometry as well as shadowing numerous optometrists and working as a technician and optician. After working in an office and having firsthand relationships with doctors and patients, I was hooked! My senior year, I was the President of CU's Optometry Club and organized the visit of Berkeley faculty to my campus. I chose Berkeley after attending Opto-Camp and meeting the wonderful admissions staff, approachable faculty, and enthusiastic students. I left Opto-Camp feeling like everyone wanted me to succeed. Berkeley Optometry is a great program because you are in the pre-clinic from day one and in the clinic getting valuable firsthand experience earlier than many other programs. Making the decision to leave Colorado and attend Berkeley would not have been possible if I hadn't felt complete confidence in my decision. Please email me with questions!

Brittany Ng
brittany.ng@berkeley.edu

Hi all! I come from the beautiful emerald city of Seattle, WA! During undergrad at the University of Washington, I was very involved in research. My degrees in neurobiology and molecular, cellular, and developmental biology allowed me to take several interesting science courses that fueled my scientific interests. I always knew that I would be in health care, but I thought it would be from an applied science perspective. However, during my junior year, I had the opportunity to tutor students as well as volunteer at the UW Medical Center. These activities showed me that I have a passion for helping people on a daily basis. I then expanded my career gaze to health professions and found optometry. As I learned more and more about optometry, I became convinced that it is the ideal career for me. Not only do optometrists help people on a daily basis and develop a rapport with patients with each interaction, they also have the option to pursue research. Berkeley was my fifth and final interview because I was sold after Interview Day. I was attracted to Berkeley's clinical and academic prestige, research reputation, and location in the Bay. Perhaps most importantly, however, was the fact that I felt most at home at Berkeley Optometry than any other optometry school that I interviewed at. The administrative staff and students here are like one big, supportive family. Please let me know if I can answer any of your questions; I'd be happy to answer them!

Lisa Nguyen
lpn@berkeley.edu

I was born and raised in the Bay Area and completed my undergraduate education at UC San Diego. I became interested in optometry rather early--my junior year of high school. This combined with finding the pre-optometry club by accident during my first week of college was a serendipitous sign of good things to come. I had the pleasure of gaining valuable leadership experience and friendships through the pre-optometry organization. In choosing optometry, I knew I wanted a career that allowed me continuous learning and exploration. With optometry having such a diverse array of specialties, the opportunities are endless! My devotion to the organization and my work experience affirmed my choice in a career that I knew would be a great fit. During the instances I visited Berkeley Optometry, it was hard not to notice the camaraderie and support fostered by faculty, staff, and students. Their enthusiasm in giving advice and testimony combined with the faculty and staff's genuine care for their students shined and affirmed my desire to choose Berkeley Optometry as my place of education. Having experienced that their positive attitude, personalities, and values align with mine, I couldn't imagine being anywhere else!

Lai Pang
lai.pang@berkeley.edu

I am from the Bay Area, specifically in Alameda, a small island that is 15-20 minutes away from UC Berkeley. I finished my pre-requisites at a local community college for two years, transferred to UC Davis, and graduated with a major in Biological Science. I decided on optometry during my last year in Davis when I did two internships through the school's Health Internship Career Center. I shadowed two optometrists, who practiced in a different setting, a private office and a hospital. Despite the different practices, the optometrists' crucial role in improving a person's quality of life through eye care motivated me to pursue optometry. After graduation, I went overseas to Costa Rica to distribute glasses, worked as a Biology tutor, shadowed optometrists in different practices, and participated in vision screenings for nonprofit organizations. Some of the organizations I volunteered for are International Service Learning Center, Prevent Blindness, and Lighthouse. I came to choose Berkeley Optometry because of their two affiliated groups, Foresight Pre-Optometry Club, and EyePACS. Foresight introduced a lot of information about Berkeley Optometry through various events like the Fall Conference, faculty luncheon, and mentorship meetings. Their helpful workshops also prepared me for admission to optometry schools. EyePACS gave me opportunities as a volunteer, coordinator, and clinical research assistant to work with patients through diabetic retinal screening. The receptiveness of Berkeley Optometry towards me was the reason why it became my number one choice. The wonderful optometry students, faculty, and staff I have met through my pre-optometry endeavors are the "Berkeley Optometry family" which is hard to describe in words. Come and experience it yourself!

Gina Siri
gcsiri@berkeley.edu

My name is Gina Siri. I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but moved to Chico, CA during high school. As an undergraduate, I studied psychology at UC Davis. I was introduced to the optometry profession at the age of ten when I first started wearing glasses. However, it wasn't until my junior year in college when I first considered optometry as the profession for me. I prepared for admissions by getting involved with whatever extracurricular activities I could. I became a member of the Foresight Club on campus, coordinator of Prevent Blindness and I assisted with research at the Vision Science and Advanced Retinal Imaging Lab at the UC Davis Medical Center. I chose to attend Berkeley Optometry because of the collaborative learning environment, high academic and clinical standards, as well as the close-knit family feel. The students, staff and faculty are among some of the smartest, engaging and passionate people I have ever met. Not to mention the city of Berkeley has so much to offer with its diversity of people, foods and activities. I love being apart of the Berkeley Optometry family, and I would love to share my experiences with you. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Susan Su
susan.su@berkeley.edu

Hello! My name is Susan and I am from Irvine, CA. My interest in optometry developed during my time at UC San Diego, where I completed a BS in Human Biology. Although I had wanted to become a veterinarian since childhood, I could feel my interests shifting elsewhere as I seriously considered my future career. I was initially attracted to veterinary medicine because of its challenging and rewarding qualities. However, after working as a kennel assistant and shadowing veterinarians, I realized that while I enjoy the one-on-one interaction with patients, I do not want to work in an environment in which emotionally taxing circumstances and emergencies are the norm. As I began to explore other professions, both in and out of the health care industry, I found myself particularly drawn to optometry due to its diverse career opportunities and its positive impacts on individuals and communities alike. To gain more insight into the field I interned, shadowed, or worked at a vision therapist's office, various private practices and a commercial practice. I also volunteered at the Orange County Braille Institute, where I taught music appreciation to the friendliest group of visually impaired individuals. Choosing Berkeley Optometry was an easy decision. It offers the most well rounded program in clinical exposure and research and the most enthusiastic and supportive collection of faculty and peers. I have no doubt that I made the right choice! Please feel free to email me with any questions!

Kevin Tong
kktong@berkeley.edu

Hey, I'm Kevin and I am originally from Rancho Cucamonga, CA, but I moved to Tucson, Arizona when I was 5. For undergrad, I attended the University of Arizona and majored in physiology with a minor in business. Entering college, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do in life so I started in engineering because that seemed to be a safe choice and it was what my dad and a lot of my relatives had done. Throughout the course of my first year, I realized engineering wasn't for me because I wanted something where I could interact with different people on a daily basis. I stumbled upon optometry and decided to start shadowing and volunteering in different settings. I fell in love with the profession and decided to pursue it. Initially, Berkeley Optometry was not my first choice. As I had received an admissions offer to another program, I had planned not to attend the interview extended by Berkeley Optometry, but something changed my mind, and I decided to go anyway. It was a good thing because, starting at the Interview Day, I began to really like Berkeley Optometry. The community that the students and faculty share is incredible, the campus is gorgeous, and the things I loved about attending a big university like the U of A are still present here. Needless to say, I decided on Berkeley Optometry and couldn't be happier! Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!

Hao Tran
hao_tran@berkeley.edu

Hi everyone! I emigrated from Vietnam at the age of 9, and grew up in San Jose, California. I completed my undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley and majored in Molecular and Cell Biology. Throughout high school, I gained a good impression of the field of optometry through my annual eye exams. I realized that optometry is a flexible, interactive and rewarding career choice. During undergrad, I began to explore the field further by joining Cal's Foresight Pre-Optometry Club. Foresight provided me with many resources related to the field, and was a portal for networking with my future optometry classmates and colleagues. Having an optometry school right on campus was definitely an advantage! I had the opportunity to learn about the clinical aspect by shadowing a first-year optometry student, and learned more about Berkeley Optometry by attending the Fall Conference co-hosted by Berkeley Optometry and Foresight. I also took a freshmen vision seminar, which offered me a perspective on the complexity of our eyes! Finally, my misconceptions of the field disbanded when I volunteered as a retinal photographer for EyePACS, Berkeley Optometry's telemedicine program, which allowed me to interact with patients directly, and broadened my scope on not only optometry, but also the need for healthcare in underserved communities. In addition, I learned of the business side of the profession by working at a private practice. My love for the profession was deepened by the strong sense of community I discovered among the students, faculty and staff at Berkeley Optometry. Feel free to contact me with any questions; I look forward to helping you out! GO BEARS!

Linda Truong
ltruong@berkeley.edu

Hello, Prospective Colleague! I grew up in the Bay Area. I love baking, eating my baked goods, and dancing those calories away. I graduated from UC Berkeley where I majored in Molecular and Cell Biology. One of my professors once said, "People find out what they don't like about the world, and grow up to fix what they don't like." I didn't like it that without my glasses I could barely see a foot in front of me, or that my diabetic father could go blind due to his condition, and because of this I knew I would go into healthcare. In my undergraduate studies I was still unsure of which field to go into, until I developed severe dry eye issues in my second year. I had to see many doctors, including the ones from the Berkeley Optometry clinic. Learning from the optometrists about how to care for my eyes and help them heal made me very interested in the science of the eye. This led me to join the pre-optometry club, Foresight. After graduating I took a year off and worked and shadowed in various optometry offices in the Bay Area where I gained experience and solidified my decision to go into optometry. I learned that optometry is not only about learning the science, but also that it is about being a part of the community. Being in a community is the largest reason why I chose Berkeley Optometry. I have a family here. I can't wait to further get to know my classmates and the awesome faculty. If you have any questions about applying, taking a year off, shadowing, baking, or anything, please ask!

Krystal Vanchisarn
kvanichsarn@berkeley.edu

Today, I can honestly say that I am very fortunate and proud to be a member of Berkeley Optometry. However, I did not initially feel this way. I have been a California girl all my life, with the exception of several earlier years spent in Thailand and a precious summer abroad in Japan. Though I love California, the possibility of attending optometry school in a complete different state was undeniably enticing. Interviewing in the Midwest and East Coast allowed me to explore the differences in social atmosphere and academia at each school. I had almost given up on Berkeley when I received my interview, and I was shocked by how impressed I was with the experience. After prioritizing my values, I found that Berkeley was unrivalled in their quality of education, extracurricular resources, affordability, rich student life, and research opportunities. But most of all, I had an unmistakable feeling that I was genuinely valued as a student and contributor at Berkeley. My commitment to becoming the best optometrist I can be was matched and reinforced by the school even before I accepted my seat in the class of 2015, and I cannot imagine myself at any other institution. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about the whole process. I'm more than happy to have an honest discussion of all your options as well as share the advice I received from my family and mentors throughout my application, interview, and decision-making process.

Thomas Wu
thomaswu88@berkeley.edu

Hi! I grew up in San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles. I had always been interested in biology, and while attending UC Riverside for my first two years of college, I decided to go into the health field. At first I wasn't sure whether I wanted to go into pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, nursing, or optometry so I joined a hospital internship called Clinical Care Extenders. That experience along with shadowing optometrists, dentists, and other hospital volunteer experiences allowed me to conclude that optometry was right for me. To me, there is no other profession that offers the diversity, interest of subject, life style, and growth that optometry does. I later transferred to UC San Diego to finish my undergrad degree. There I participated in health clubs and shadowing experiences such as vision therapy that allowed me to learn even more about the profession. After I applied to grad school and was offered an interview at Berkeley, I was very impressed by the beauty and environment of the campus and the surrounding community. During our interviews when we were given tours of the facility and the opportunity to dine with professors in an exquisite restaurant environment, I knew that this was a school that really catered towards its students' interests and needs. This gave me confidence that I had selected the right school for my optometry education.