Have you ever wondered about the effects of cannabis on your vision? How about using ophthalmic ultrasound in clinical practice? These questions and much more interesting topics will be discussed at Academy, a gathering of scientists and doctors who are prominent leaders within the field of optometry.
Academy is a great opportunity for students to attend the best clinical education courses at a fraction of the cost of doctors while enhancing your already impressive educational experience! Students pay a $30 one-time member fee until their graduation and a $50 registration fee to attend Academy while doctors must pay over $400!
Any student whether or not they are interested in doing research or residency in the future will also benefit from attending Academy as they can expose themselves to pioneering technology and research while also networking with doctors and scientists who are at the forefront of vision science!
AAO also offers a Student Fellowship program where students can apply and earn this distinguished title. The title of Student Fellowship brings recognition that a student has completed stringent requirements and has furthered their education by joining extracurricular activities. It is one more achievement that can help you stand out from other applicants for a job or residency. There are quite a few things you must do in order to achieve fellowship status but the great thing is that you have all four years of your Optometry School experience to complete it. As an added bonus to completing your Student Fellow you receive free registration to the conference the following year.
Students can expect to listen to a multitude of different presentations and meetings. There is a student-only exhibition hall with hundreds of vendors. For those applying for Student Fellowship, there is an Academy Business Meeting that gives you an inside look into the financial aspects of organized optometry. There is also a joint symposium with the Academy of Ophthalmology!
Academy is an exciting event that can further your experience as a student. If these reasons don’t entice you, AAO also offers discounted Disneyland tickets!
Michelle Nguyen
Western University of Health Sciences
