Student Focus on Erica Samples

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Name: Erica Samples
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Lodi, Ohio
High School: Cloverleaf High School
Undergraduate Institution: Ashland University
Undergraduate Degree: Biology, with minors in Chemistry and Psychology
Anticipated #OSUopt Graduation Year: 2029

Q&A

How old were you when you received your first eye exam? What was the experience like for you?

I was in third grade when I received my first eye exam and got my first pair of glasses. I remember having a lot of fun looking at all the glasses options, but I don't really remember the exam itself (or not being able to see previously). I also remember the day I picked up my glasses and being so excited to go home and show my dad as though it happened last week (despite being around 15 years ago!)

When did you realize that you wanted to pursue a career in optometry?

In junior year of high school, we all had to take those surveys to learn what career would most fit us. None of my options interested me, and online searches into potential careers weren't leading me to anything I felt passionate about. When I visited my optometrist that year for my yearly eye exam, everything clicked into place. I shadowed my optometrist that winter, and the weather was so bad that most patients cancelled. Despite this, I knew from that day onward that optometry was exactly where I wanted to be.

Why did you choose Ohio State Optometry?

I love Ohio, and I knew I wanted to stay here if I could for optometry school. I was born here and have never moved outside of the state. However, I was ready to move if I found a school I loved outside of Ohio. Luckily for me, nowhere else even came close to what I found at Ohio State. I visited a few optometry schools the summer before I began applying, and the day I visited OSU I knew it was the place for me. All the stories I heard that day (especially about how strong a family we all become) really stood out to me, but my favorite thing from my visit was the clinic. Nowhere else has a clinic as cool as we do, and it just felt like I belonged there the moment I walked inside.

Did you attend an admissions visit day with us? If so, why would you recommend that others attend?

I didn't attend Admissions Visit Day, but I did come in for a one-on-one tour with my family the summer before applying, and I absolutely recommend that! I got to meet with an admissions counselor who took us on a personalized tour and answered all the questions we came with and more. Attending this early allowed me plenty of time to make sure I was meeting all the requirements to apply as well as allowing me to learn all about Ohio State without the worries of applications on my mind. It played a huge part in my decision to come here!

What was your first impression of Ohio State Optometry?

Day one of classes, I already knew I had made the right decision in choosing Ohio State. The professors are so kind and incredibly funny -- I cannot count the number of times I have been in tears laughing at the stories they tell us. Aside from their humor, all the professors here care deeply about their students and want us all to succeed. I cannot imagine being taught by anyone else!

What surprised you most about Ohio State and/or Columbus?

Although both Ohio State and Columbus are huge, once you get here, it doesn't seem that way. I have never lived in a big city, and my undergraduate university was small, so I was a little worried about moving here. However, it didn't take long at all for me to feel right at home. There are tons of little communities within and around Columbus that make it not feel so overwhelmingly huge. The optometry buildings and clinic are also right near each other so it's like a mini campus within Ohio State, which I love!

Which clubs/organizations have you joined at Ohio State?

So far, I have just been getting used to optometry school and getting into a groove with it, so I haven't officially joined any clubs or organizations. However, I am very excited to become more involved this upcoming semester! A club I am especially excited about becoming involved with is Optometry Ambassadors. I was a tour guide at my undergraduate university, and it was my favorite thing I did there. I have been missing it a lot, and I would love to get to do it again here!

Who has most positively affected you during your time as an optometry student so far?

Every single professor here has had a positive impact on me so far, and I am sure this will be the case for my next three years here too. They are all very knowledgeable, funny, and take the time to get to know each and every one of us. Like I mentioned, they truly do care about the success of their students and do anything they can to make sure we are able to thrive academically. If any of my professors I have had so far are reading this, thanks for being so great!

What was your favorite part of optometry school so far and what are you looking forward to in future years of the program?

My favorite part of optometry school so far is getting to shadow in the clinic. I have never worked in an optometric setting before, so something as simple as seeing the retina through the slit lamp teaching tube brings me so much joy. We just recently got our equipment, so I cannot wait to start learning how to use it and other instruments in the fall! What advice do you have for future optometry students? Everything will work out the way you want it to. Applying to optometry school is a stressful time and actually being in optometry school can be stressful too sometimes. However, if you put your heart into what you're doing and try your hardest, everything will work out. Your classmates are going through everything you are, and they are always there for you, alongside all the professors. Enjoy it as much as you can!