Potential optometry students were treated to an eye-opening talk about getting into optometry school.

Guilherme Albieri, director of admissions and marketing at SUNY College of Optometry, offered his insight to students interested in the field.

Albieri encouraged students to consider a career in optometry, mentioning how factors like Grade Point Average and Optometry Admission Test scores affect an application. According to Albieri, admissions officers find that high GPAs at Binghamton correlate to high GPAs at SUNY Optometry.

“Binghamton is considered a highly competitive school — it’s a good sign, especially with a 3.3 and above,” Albieri said.

He also talked about professional experiences and dedication to the field.

“After that, what do we look at? Experience. Exposure to the profession,” Albieri said. “That’s the third thing, if there is nothing much there then I have to relook at the application again, and I’ll be much tougher. Exposure involves at least four, or three to four shadowing experiences.”

According to Albieri, there is a growing need for optometrists, which may provide financial stability for those in the field.

“By 2050 the people living beyond age 90 is set to quadruple,” he said, citing the US department of Labor. “And by 2020 over 21 million more people will be in the age group between 45 and 64. That has a major impact on overall vision. As people get older, they will need better eye care. It’s a job where services are needed wherever you go.”

Many students who came to the event had already researched the school, but still found his presentation helpful.

Katie Sokol, vice president of the pre-optometry association and a junior majoring in biology, is already applying to SUNY Optometry.

“I know it’s about being focused, having a goal in mind,” she said. “Figure out what you need to do. Shadow, get letters. I’ve been to the open house quite a few times but it’s nice to hear things over again.”

Johnny Sun, a sophomore majoring in biology, also had pre-optometry experience and planned on applying but learned new information.

“These presentations are always help when you’re applying, and I am applying this summer,” he said. “Getting all the tips are always good. I’ve actually been to this presentation once before and I’ve been to the Open House in New York twice. The interview questions, I don’t think he ever mentioned those before, when he said the first few questions they would ask like, ‘What are you doing here’ and, ‘Why do you want this spot?’”

Although Albieri spoke about the merits of optometry and the SUNY program, he warned after the presentation about the challenges of the field.

“Be prepared for a very different academic environment in which you’re going to be read a lot, study a lot,” Albieri said. “It’s not so much that its hard but the amount of material you are going to have to go through is incredible.”