Student Focus on Kyle Pung

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Name: Kyle Pung
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Hometown: Stow, Ohio
High School: Stow Munroe Falls High School
Undergraduate Institution: The Ohio State University
Undergraduate Degree: Biology
Anticipated #OSUopt Graduation Year: 2028
 

Q&A

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

I was nine years old when I had my first eye exam. It was revolutionary … I remember putting on my first pair of glasses and staring out into the world with perfectly clear vision; it was so incredible that I believed blinking would ruin the moment.

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

I realized I wanted to pursue a career in optometry in high school.

Why did you choose Ohio State Optometry?

I choose Ohio State Optometry for a plethora of reasons. They have exceptional board scores, the faculty is AMAZING and INCREDIBLE, low cost of living, and they do a wonderful job at cultivating a community among all of their students in the program.

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

Yes! I Recommend attending admissions day so you get a good idea of what your future will look like when you come to Ohio State!

What was your first impression of Ohio State Optometry?

Jaw. Dropping. The passion that the faculty carry is real. They truly love the profession and want you to succeed! As a bonus, the clinic is new as of the last five years! It has all of the newest technology, new equipment, and is just pleasing to look at.

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

What surprises me the most about Columbus is the fact that there are plenty of cool/delicious/ interesting places all around. It might take a little bit of searching to find them, but once you do, you’ll absolutely fall in love with them.

Which clubs/organizations have you joined at Ohio State?

I am a senator of the Interprofessional Council for the College of Optometry! As a senator, I go to monthly meetings on how the university can further assist the interprofessional colleges. We hold events where we give students cookies, we give away funds to clubs to operate events, and we award funds to students who want to improve their professional development.

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

Jen Bennett (Assistant Dean for Student Affairs) has made such a huge positive influence on me in my optometry career. She is the individual who you can go to for anything! She is someone who you can just chat with, she can get you networking opportunities, she is your liaison in case anything happens to you in school. Jen Bennett plays an integral part to the Buckeye Advantage. She also happens to carry bags of name brand candy for all the students.

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 is connecting the dots of what we learned in the classroom and applying them to clinical cases. I really look forward to seeing how the curriculum will evolve with scope expansion and seeing what kind of new procedures we will learn!

What advice do you have for future optometry students?

My advice for future optometry students: Never give up! The road for you might be rougher than the person next to you, but you can still walk it and get to where you want to go! Your tangible dream is right in front of you, make it a reality!!