Meeting Minutes 9/14/2022

9/14/2022

Location: Zoom

Meeting Called By: Pre-Optometry Club 

Duration: 1 Hour

Guest Speaker: Ardi Samonte and Dr. Mika Moy from Berkeley

The meeting is centered around Berkeley’s Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science. Ardi Samonte is part of the admissions team. 

  • Berkeley is a 4 year lock-step program meaning that individuals will be with that class for the 4 years and cannot skip ahead. 

Time At Berkeley:

  • First year: ¾ of time is taking didactic courses and ¼ of your time is experiencing some pre-clinic experience
  • Second year: ⅓ of time is taking didactic courses and ⅓ of your time is pre-clinic and team care
  • Third year: ¼ Didactic courses and ¾ clinical 
  • Fourth year: ⅞ Clinical, and ⅛ didactic course 

Clinics: 

  • Berkeley has multiple clinics all over 

Externships:

  • Externships in 13 states
  • Some of private practice and some are in a hospital   

Board Pass:

  • In 2022, they had a 17:1% differential than the nat. Avg.
  • The program is rigorous to prepare students for boards and for their professional career 

Faculty:

  • 4:1 Student to faculty ratio  
  • Large research institution 
  • Clinical faculty in private practice 
  • Clinical research center conducts clinical trials 

Students:

  • Variety of Undergraduates Degrees
  • Ophthalmic imaging 
  • Entrepreneurs and Career Changers 
  • Some are for U.S. & Canada & other countries 

After Graduation: 

  • 60% respondents completed a residency program
  • 40% respondents accepted positions in a private practice or an OD/MD practice 
  • 7% respondents accepted position in corporate setting 
    • Salaries ranging from 99K-149K 
      • They also do have benefits

Size:

  • They are a small school on a large campus

Admissions and Financial Aid:

  • Total Per Semester: $27,685.50 (non CA residents)
    • They do have scholarships 
    • Accept many Loans 
  • Application consist of:
    • 3 Essays
    • 3 letters of Rec.
    • Official transcript
    • Extracurriculars
    • Supplemental Fee
    • Standardized test optional 
    • Rolling Admissions 
    • Interviews are online

Qualitative Considerations:

  • Experience in and Knowledge of Optometry
  • Statement of Purpose/ Personal Statement
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Activities and Achievements
  • Gap Year   
  • Interview
  • Qualities 

 

Student Demographics 2022-2023: 

  • 322 Applicants → 218 Interview Candidates → 67 Matriculants