ABOUT
WHAT IS POPS?
The Pre-Optometry Professional Society (POPS) at UTD, founded in 2006, helps students prepare for optometry by offering guidance on admissions, applications, and competitive preparation. POPS also provides hands-on experience through shadowing, volunteering, and networking opportunities while fostering leadership, service, and community. Each year, POPS hosts optometry school representatives and local optometrists to share insight into the application process and profession.
VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering is a central part of our organization. At POPS, we actively serve at the Saturday Low Vision Clinic in Dallas, where students gain valuable exposure to the field of optometry while giving back to the community. We also partner with organizations such as Prevent Blindness Texas, the North Texas Food Bank, and others. Through these experiences, our members strengthen their professional skills, grow as leaders, and make a meaningful impact on the community.
TRIPS
One of the most valued traditions of UTD POPS is the variety of trips we take each year, especially during the spring semester. These include fun social outings like escape rooms, as well as academic and professional experiences such as attending UH Spring Conference, campus tours of the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO), the Texas Optometric Association (TOA) conference in Austin, and the EyeCon conference in Dallas. These trips not only strengthen the bonds between our members but also provide valuable exposure to the optometry profession and its community.
FUNDRAISERS
POPS hosts several on-campus fundraisers each semester to bring our community together and support the growth of our organization. These events not only raise money to fund trips such as conferences and optometry school visits, but also create opportunities for members to get involved, work as a team, and connect with fellow students.
Through fundraising, we are able to provide valuable experiences for our members while strengthening our presence on campus.