The Pre-Optometry Professional Society at the University of Texas at Austin
We are the Pre-Professional Optometry Society (POPS) at the University of Texas at Austin. POPS is an established student organization that works to inform students at the University of Texas about the field of optometry. We encourage strong relationships between students and optometrists and provide hands-on experience for vision care through shadowing, volunteering, and employment opportunities.Each year, we invite optometry school representatives and local optometrists to speak at our meetings to inform students greater detail about the optometry school application process as well as the profession.
For any questions regarding POPS, please email the President, Elsa Bhandari, at [email protected].
What We Do
The Pre-Optometry Professional Society (POPS) was created to inform prospective optometry students about all aspects of the optometry field, including the optometry school application process, the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), and the different types of settings in which an optometrist can practice.POPS serves as a vehicle for its members to become well-rounded candidates for optometry school, provides networking opportunities with optometrists and admissions representatives, and allows pre-optometry students to build friendships with other students who have similar interests!
Why Should You Join?
Environment of Students with the Same Goals
- Informed decision-making
- Advice on classes, applications, OAT, etc.
- Encouragement and support
Networking Opportunities
- Optometrists
- Optometry students
- Optometry school representatives
Build Your Resume
- Job opportunities
- Shadowing
- Volunteering
Fall 2025 GM with University of the Incarnate World Rosenberg School of Optometry
How Do I Join?
Pay dues (see below)
Join our Slack
Fill out our New Member Form
You're in!
Membership Dues
We require dues to be a part of POPS. This helps us fund t-shirts, Student-Doctor Conference, and our other events! We accept Venmo via @UTPOPS, cash, and check (payable to Pre-Optometry Professional Society). Please contact our treasurer for any questions related to dues.
Year: $75
One Semester: $40
Shirt Only: $17
Membership Points
Members who plan on running for an officer position must meet the minimum "Officer" point requirements detailed below. Graduating seniors who are active members receive a POPS cord. Graduating officers receive a POPS stole. Once signed up for any event, you have up to 24 hours before the event to take yourself off the sign-up sheet and avoid a 0.5-1 point deduction.
POPS Officers 2024–2025
Membership Benefits
Make new friends!
Opportunities to shadow, work, and volunteer
Meet optometrists
Student-Doctor Conference
Texas Optometrist Association Conference
Vision Screening Certification
Optofam program
End-of-Year banquet
Discount on Kaplan services, OATBooster, & scholarship opportunities!
Spring Meeting Schedule
| General Meeting | Date | Time | Room | What |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1/26 | 7:00 PM | BUR 116 | Introduction |
| 2 | 2/19 | 7:00 PM | BUR 116 | Rocky Mountain University |
| 3 | 2/23 | 7:00 PM | BUR 116 | Southern College of Optometry |
| 4 | 3/2 | 7:00 PM | BUR 116 | New England College of Optometry |
| 5 | 3/23 | 7:00 PM | BUR 116 | Arizona College of Optometry |
| 6 | 4/6 | 7:00 PM | BUR 116 | UC Berkeley College of Optometry |
| 7 | 4/20 | 7:00 PM | BUR 116 | Potluck + Elections |
Student-Doctor Conference 2023
Elsa Bhandari
President
About: I’m a senior from Dallas, majoring in biology with a business minor. In my free time, I love running, checking out different matcha spots around Austin, exploring the city, and bullet journaling. I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone, building a strong community, and being a resource for you all, whether it’s POPS-related, optometry-related, or anything in between (like my personal favorite- matcha related!) 🤍📓🍵
Responsibilities:
Be the official representative of POPS at all events, meetings, and conferences.
Preside over organization meetings and activities.
Initiate committees as the need arises, with the consent of the organization.
Reserve rooms and plan for general meetings and officer meetings.
Invite guest speakers and organize all tours, field trips, and major events.
Help keep officers on task and aid with certain responsibilities as needed.
Send out all job opportunity emails to paid members when available.
Keep organization’s documents together and pass on all documents and miscellaneous papers to the President-elect.
Be the authorized representative for all of the organization’s financial holdings alongside the Treasurer.
Carolina Gonzalez
Internal Vice President
About: I’m from McAllen, TX and I’m a junior Biology major. During my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, exploring new places & I also love catching up with friends and family. I’m really looking forward to a great year with everyone, and if you ever need anything or have any questions, feel free to reach out 🤘🏼
Responsibilities:
Oversee OptoFamily program and keep track of OptoFamily points.
Design and order t-shirts.
Seek out and be in contact with other university-affiliated organizations and departments as directed by the President.
Create fliers for upcoming general meetings.
Collect extra brochures and documents from speakers and pass out when necessary.
Alejandra Specia
Treasurer
About: I am a third year Psychology major from Fort Worth Texas. I am really excited to serve as your Treasurer this year. I love baking, matcha, spending time with my friends, and I am always down to try new things around Austin. I am looking forward to a great rest of the year with all of you!
Responsibilities:
Collect dues and keep record of all payments.
Deposit money into the bank.
Reimburse members for meeting supplies, t-shirts, etc.
Set budgets during the year including meetings, socials, etc.
Organize and oversee fundraisers.
Be an authorized representative and keep records of all transactions with the bank.
Jake Bickett
Social Chair
About: Hey, I’m Jake from Houston, TX. I’m a public relations major who still needs to actually apply for my bio minor haha. I’m very open to new things and end up picking up a new hobby every six months (running is in right now). I try to be as approachable as possible, so come up and say hi to me at GMs. Exciting to be part of a group that shares similar aspirations :)
Responsibilities:
Plan, manage, and oversee all social events during the year.
Coordinate intramural sports.
Plan an end-of-year banquet.
Manage and oversee all social media alongside the Historian.
Emma Yguerabide
External Vice President
About: I’m from Laredo, TX (956😎), and I am a senior Biology major with a minor in business. I love doing ballet, watching true crime, traveling and eating all around Austin! We’ve had a spectacular year with you all so far, and I can’t wait for what next semester brings. Please reach out to me with any questions, as I am more than happy to help :) Yay UT POPS! 🤘🏻🐂
Responsibilities:
Assume Presidential duties if the President is absent from meetings.
Assist President in managing and coordinating meetings, events, and activities.
Attend other functions in the President’s absence.
Write "Thank You" cards to all of our guest speakers and buy gifts of gratitude for selected speakers.
Carry out other duties as assigned by the President.
Compile a list of doctors that are willing to let students shadow them.
Secure sponsorships for organization.
Annie Inawat
Secretary
About: I’m a second year studying psychology with a women’s and gender studies minor. I enjoy watching shoujo anime and drawing photoshopped animals in my free time. 🙂↕️ I can’t wait to get to know everyone better!!
Responsibilities:
Create and update the website.
Take attendance at all meetings and events.
Pass out and compile the info sheets on all members.
Keep track of membership points for all events and meetings.
Make the newsletters for each meeting and pass out to members.
Update and manage the website regularly with announcements, member points, and other miscellaneous documents.
Namrata Boggaram
Volunteer Coordinator
About: I'm from Dallas and am a sophomore Biology and Music double major. I love baking, long walks, running, and teaching myself piano and guitar! I'm so excited to have some great volunteering experiences with you guys this year!
Responsibilities:
Inform and remind members about new volunteer opportunities.
Help promote volunteer events related to the healthcare profession.
Be aware of possible volunteer opportunities throughout the semester.
Communicate and coordinate volunteering events with organizations both on-campus and off-campus and update the President with logistics.
Attend all volunteering events.
Darren Truong
Historian
About: I’m a Biology major on the pre-optometry track from Round Rock, TX. Outside of school, I enjoy playing sports, learning guitar, and spending time with friends. I can’t wait to capture all the memories and get to know everyone this year!
Responsibilities:
Take pictures at meetings and events and upload to the website.
Create banner design for UH Spring Conference.
Organize the scrapbook with help from members.
Create a banquet slideshow at the end of the year.
Create signage, posters, and graphics for events.
Manage and oversee all social media alongside the Social Chair.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Pak Family Eye Care
Dr. Linda Pak
Dr. David Pak
4301 W William Cannon Dr
Barton Creek Eyecare
Dr. Robert Soltys
2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy Ste F7, Austin, TX 78746
Oak Hill Eye Care
Dr. Laura S. Miller
3921 Steck Ave a121, Austin, TX 78759
Northwest Hills Eye Care
Dr. David Tybor and Dr. John Tybor
6000 W William Cannon Dr A100, Austin, TX 7874
Envision Eye Center
Dr. Dimple Sawhney
1801 E51st St. Ste. 360, Austin, TX 78723
Austin Optometrists
Dr. Linh Tang
500 E Ben White Blvd d600, Austin, TX 78704
Bluebonnet Vision Associates
