Student Testimonials
Andrea Huerta (she/her)
Class of 2022
“The Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science provides you with an unparalleled clinical training that sets you up to thrive in any type of optometric setting. In the program, program students learn skills taught by renowned and intelligent faculty. In the last last two years, students further refine their clinical skills with advanced courses by seeing numerous patients in a wide variety of clinics. More than the didactics and clinical training, students can count on a united close-knit community filled with bright and motivated peers, along with staff and faculty that are genuinely invested in students’ success. Being a student in Optometry at UC Berkeley is only the beginning of a fruitful and rewarding career, and it is a place you can always call home. “
Tyler D. Spilman (he/him)
Class of 2022
“My time with Berkeley Optometry & Vision Science was incredibly rewarding. The rigors of the program early on allowed me to fly high by the time I started my fourth year rotations. Even going through the program at the height of the pandemic, the program ensured that we were able to get the education and patient encounters necessary to be stellar optometrists. I appreciated being eased into patient care starting in second year and being able to have time afforded for thinking through each encounter. In third year clinic, I was able to rotate through a variety of specialty clinics and be exposed to the diverse patient population the Bay area has to offer. I was happy to have been able to build my 4th year schedule in a way that let me experience seeing patients in a variety of settings: Community health, Kaiser, VA Hospitals, and the specialty Berkeley clinics. Writing this as I finish my fourth year, I feel comfortable and confident with the imminent transition towards being an independent eye care provider.”
Frances Tsai (she/her)
Class of 2023
“Taught and mentored by the leading professionals of optometry and vision science, I have no doubt Berkeley provides a top notch education. What truly distinguishes Berkeley is the clinical experience of caring for its diverse patient population. By the end of my third year, I feel incredibly prepared for my externships, having rotated through multiple primary care and specialty care clinics including ocular disease, binocular vision, contact lenses, myopia control, low vision, and more. Beyond the exam room, I’ve had a plethora of opportunities to teach and do research to expand my professional interests and goals. The Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science is a place where I’ve grown and fostered skills necessary to succeed in the field of optometry.”
Amy Chen (she/her)
Class of 2024
“My favorite part of going to school at the University of California, Berkeley (and in particular, the Doctor of Optometry program) is easily the people. I always feel that the people around me want me to succeed! I always have the ability to reach out to professors and administration and get the resources I need to reach my goals. Additionally, the Big/Little Sib program helped me feel welcome even before Day 1 by matching me with the second year student. As an out-of-state student, moving 3,000+ miles across the country was incredibly daunting, however, the people here have always made me feel like I belong. The Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science has an unparalleled educational program with opportunities that cannot be found elsewhere. I am so happy to have made the leap to continue my education and pursue my dream of being an optometrist here at UC Berkeley!”
Cyndy Nguyen (she/her)
Class of 2025
“It’s no secret that the Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science strives to prepare its students to become excellent, well-rounded clinicians by providing a strong foundation of clinical skills taught by incredibly experienced faculty. After all, early introduction to the clinical applications of optometry can be absolutely invaluable in one’s optometric training —as a student nearing the end of only my first year in the program, I’m both surprised and awed by the skills I have already learned! But apart from the extensive clinical experience that students gain in the four years of the program, Berkeley also uniquely offers a rich growing ground of infinite opportunities for growth in organization and leadership settings — allowing students like me to rise to the occasion to directly plan events for the entire school, like the annual formal dance EyeBall as Vice President of the class. I have no doubt that Berkeley will continue to foster my growth as both a clinician and as a leader, and I’m so very excited for what’s to come!”
Haya Adil Sheikh (she/her)
Class of 2025
“As a first-year graduate student at UC Berkeley, I can say that my transition into optometry school has gone smoothly (all thanks to the help and support I’ve received from my instructors, staff and fellow classmates). In the Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science, you get a great sense of camaraderie, which has really helped me persevere in this new academic atmosphere. Our program creates an environment among students where you feel encouraged from day one. The best part is that we always have instructors present in the preclinic and clinic to provide us one-on-one feedback, which makes things so much easier. This is one of the aspects of the curriculum that I value the most. I can’t wait to see all the wonderful things the next 3 years have in store for me.”