PreHealth Program Guides | Page 4

STUDENT What else can I do to Alpha Epsilon Delta – National Pre-Health Honor Society (AED) AED functions as a health preprofessional honor society encouraging excellence in scholarship. It emphasizes the importance of health education and promotes cooperation and contact among professionals. Pre-Optometry Student Organization (POSO) POSO is a club designed to help preoptometry students learn about the field, get involved, meet local optometrists, and become competitive applicants to optometry school. Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) HOSA provides students with knowledge and understanding of various health care careers. It also provides students opportunities to compete against each other in various state and regional events to learn about current health issues. Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) This organization is open to all ETSU students. MAPS aims to provide students with valuable opportunities in the community to enhance their knowledge of the health care field they are planning to enter. Opportunities include job shadowing, volunteering, and research. MAPS is also geared toward forming friendships among members. A Cover image from freeimages.com. rg O.o SC Visit the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) for more information about the profession and about optometry schools. to optometry school? strengthen my application RELATED EXPERIENCE Students are encouraged to explore the field of optometry either through employment or as a volunteer. Optometry schools want to know that a student has worked in the field, observed what is involved, and still has the desire to continue in that profession. Students should gain as much experience as possible without sacrificing grades. EXTRACURRICULARS The admissions committees of optometry schools are interested in seeing a range of extracurricular activities, especially those demanding a significant leadership role. Students should demonstrate their ability to balance full academic schedules with extracurricular involvement on and off campus and/or through employment opportunities. ETSU has many organizations that students can join. Students should visit the SORC located on the first floor of the Culp center or www.etsu.edu/sorc for more information regarding extracurricular activities. It is not beneficial to simply join an organization; you must demonstrate leadership qualities! VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Optometry schools are looking for candidates who express a commitment to community service. Students should seek volunteer projects that focus on giving back to the community. Students are encouraged to look for volunteer opportunities related to the optometry field. ONLINE ETIQUETTE Please consider personal email addresses when corresponding with professional schools. First impressions are often based on correspondence and email addresses should be appropriate for professional communication. Messages and images sent electronically are reflections of judgment and potential suitability for professional careers. Inappropriate behaviors shared on an accessible venue can be viewed and shared by anyone, possibly compromising your chances of admission to optometry school. WATCH WHAT YOU POST! Op ORGANIZATIONS AS.org mC to Visit OptomCAS (the optometry school application portal) at www.optomcas.org or click on the globe icon if you are viewing an electronic version of this guide. ETSU is an AA/EEO employer. TBR 260-197-13 2.3M