“My goal is to become an optometrist, specifically, one who can serve the community with care and compassion. What initially drew me to the field was my job as a vision therapist, and I hope to one day prescribe vision therapy to positively impact people’s lives.
My bachelor’s degree is in sociology, and in order to apply to optometry school, I needed to complete 15 science courses and eight labs. The Pre-Health Post-Bacc Program at Meredith College was the best fit for accomplishing that goal in a shorter time frame.
I knew I needed to take all my prerequisite courses at a rigorous institution to strengthen my application. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found Meredith and to have been part of such a supportive and well-structured program.
Meredith played an essential role in preparing me academically for the application process, but just as importantly, it contributed to my personal growth and confidence. I was fortunate to be taught and mentored by professors who were deeply passionate about what they do. Their enthusiasm and dedication were obvious. They went above and beyond to help us understand complex material and made sure we felt supported. One moment that stands out is after our first pre-calculus exam, when Dr. Starling shared a personal story to remind us that one poor grade does not define our potential or ability to succeed. Her words inspired me to persevere and to believe in myself, even when facing setbacks.
As a non-native English speaker and someone returning to school after several years, I encountered many challenges. One of them—which may sound surprising—was learning how to use a scientific calculator. In Bulgaria, where I’m from, we weren’t allowed to use calculators in school, at least when I was there. So when I had to use one for things like logarithms or scientific notation, especially in Chemistry II, it became a major obstacle. It wasn’t that I hadn’t studied or didn’t understand the material—it was simply that I couldn’t do the math in the way it was expected. It was a difficult experience, but it taught me how even small gaps in knowledge can become real hurdles, and how important it is to ask for help and keep pushing forward.
Being a student at Meredith helped me discover who I truly am and where I belong. For the first time, I felt whole and in the right place. I vividly remember a presentation Dr. Powell gave about her career in chemistry—it was a long day of classes, but instead of feeling tired, I felt energized and inspired. Similarly, I had many meaningful conversations with Dr. Aghoram about GMOs and plant science, which deeply engaged and motivated me. These experiences solidified my passion for the field of optometry.
Meredith College is an honorable and inspiring institution, and I’m proud that it played such a significant role in my life. I had the opportunity to take classes alongside students outside the post-bacc program, which helped me fully immerse myself in the academic community. At first, I was nervous—being older and having an accent—but I quickly realized I wasn’t alone, and that neither of those things were barriers at Meredith. That realization affirmed for me that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
I am currently enrolled at the New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA, where I hope to complete my Doctor of Optometry degree. I would love to pursue a residency afterward, but we’ll see how life unfolds!”
Boyana Mircheva,
2023–24 Meredith College Pre-Health Post-Bacc Student
2025–29 Doctor of Optometry Student at New England College of Optometry