Welcome to the American Academy of Optometry Student Page. Because the Academy recognizes that you are the future of optometry, this resource has been created. It does not matter if you are already a student member, or just starting to learn about the Academy. This page is your one stop resource.
Information about membership, Student Travel Fellowships, special student events and more will be available. There are only a few items available at this time, but keep checking. The page is under construction and more will be added. Do you have suggestions or comments? Send them to Helen Chan, Program Administrator, Education & Member Relations, 
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New! The Conversion of Students to Candidates Program
The Membership Committee is implementing a new program to attract graduating students at all U.S. schools and colleges of optometry. This spring, at each school and college, graduating students will attend a short presentation by the local Faculty Liaison. Printed materials describing the Academy and Fellowship along with an invitation to become a Candidate for Fellowship will be distributed. Graduating students will be encouraged to become Candidates immediately upon graduation so that they can hone their clinical skills through the process of becoming a Fellow. While Fellowship will never appeal to everyone, the purpose of this program is to make sure that the Academy is not the best-kept secret in optometry!
The Membership Committee is also advertising this new program on the Academy’s Facebook page. We are looking for Fellows who would be willing to send us short descriptions of why Fellowship has benefitted them in private practice. These quotes will be included on the Academy’s Facebook page with information about the Conversion of Students to Candidates Program. In addition, we are looking for enthusiastic Fellows in private practice to assist Faculty Liaisons with the presentations at the various schools and colleges by briefly speaking about how the Academy and Fellowship has benefitted them in their private practice. If you can send a quote for the Facebook page or if you can help us out at your local school or college of optometry, please contact the Chair of the Membership Committee, Dr. Melissa Bailey, at mbailey@optometry.osu.edu.
Membership in the American Academy of Optometry
Student Membership
Student membership may be granted to students who are in good academic standing at an accredited school or college of optometry, to full-time students in vision sciences and related sciences, and to residents in accredited optometric residency programs.
To apply to become a student member, please visit the Student Membership page to download the membership application form.
Fellow Application
Upon completion of your optometric degree, you may apply to become a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Recent graduates pay reduced dues and the application fee is waived for student members who apply for Fellowship immediately after graduation.
To apply to become a Fellow, please visit the Application page in the Becoming a Fellow section.
The Academy recognizes the need for optometry students participation in ongoing optometric education. As the future of optometry, it is important for you to keep up with the latest technologies. Academy 2009 Orlando will offer you a variety of opportunities to go to lectures given by the best in the field. As a student attendee, you are encouraged to attend any courses at the meeting that are of interest to you. These are some of the exciting programs and events that you don't want to miss!
- Plenary Session: Today’s Research, Tomorrow’s Practice®: Longterm Deprivation and Perception - Wednesday, November 11 –
- Hirsch Memorial Research Symposium - Thursday, November 12 –
- Awards Program - Friday, November 13 – 8:00 -
- Students & Residents Networking Luncheon - Saturday, November 14 –
