A series of articles written by SCCO Student Ambassadors.

How Undergrad Clubs Helped Prepare Me for Grad School

by SCCO Student Ambassador, Susie Quach

What I did with my time at my pre-optometry club played such a huge role in helping me discover my passion for optometry. The experiences I gained and the resources I accessed truly set the stage for my optometry journey, inspiring me to write this blog article to share with you!

My first exposure to optometry happened in the middle of my second year as an undergrad at UCI. Shortly after, I discovered that there was a pre-optometry club, and I decided to join it just for fun because I won a t-shirt in one of their raffles. I spent the entirety of the rest of my second year attending all the Zoom meetings they hosted (flashback to the COVID-19 days). Surprisingly, I learned so many things about optometry and the path to optometry school through their guest speakers and workshops that I couldn’t find with a simple Google search. So, when the opportunity to apply for a board position came, I grabbed it!

I first joined the board during my third year as Fundraising Chair and again my fourth year as Vice President, and my experience became so much richer. As part of my “job” (in quotations because I didn’t consider it work), I had to contact admissions officers and optometry schools to create meetings and resources for members. Not only did I improve my public speaking skills by leading meetings in front of a crowd every week, but I also built up my self-confidence through these experiences. Of all the amazing benefits that came with the extra work required of a board member, the greatest of all was that I got to speak to and get to know a lot of student ambassadors and admissions officers from a variety of optometry schools.

Through these interactions, whether it was through club work or during meetings, I gained invaluable insights into what each school had to offer straight from the source. I learned about their programs, support systems, and the unique cultures that defined them. In addition, by being able to personally meet and converse with representatives from the school, I was able to gauge each optometry school’s values and standards, and whether they aligned with mine. This information was crucial as I began to narrow down my options for optometry school, and the school that stood out to me the most (as you may have predicted…) was SCCO! The emphasis they placed on community and support resonated deeply with me, and I could see myself thriving in that environment.

I was fortunate enough to be within driving distance from SCCO, so I decided along with my fellow board members to arrange a club trip to one of SCCO Admissions’ open house events. I was thrilled to have the chance to see the campus and talk to even more current students to see if the impressions I got from the people I’ve worked with thus far were genuine. The supportive and welcoming atmosphere that we received was evident, and hearing firsthand from current students about their great experiences solidified my decision to apply. It was at that moment that I knew I had found the right place to entrust my education and ambitions for the next four years.

Reflecting on my journey, I can confidently say that my involvement in my pre-optometry club was a transformative experience. It provided me with tools, resources, opportunities for networking, and community support that ignited my passion for optometry and set me on a clear path toward my goals. As I prepare to take the next steps in my own optometry journey, I highly encourage anyone considering a similar path as mine to get involved in their pre-professional clubs or organizations. You never know what opportunities await you, or how they may shape your future. Remember, your journey is uniquely yours, and the connections you make along the way can be incredibly powerful.

Thank you for joining me as I reflect on my experiences! I hope my story inspires you to explore your own passions and take full advantage of the resources available to you, whether it is a pre-optometry club or participating in the abundant resources and events optometry schools provide to you.

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact me at susiequach.scco28@ketchum.edu!

Click here to read Student Ambassador bios on our website!