Preparing for Admission to Optometry School
The need for well-trained doctors of optometry (OD) is increasing. Admission committees for four-year programs leading to the doctor of optometry degree consider the following factors:
- Strength and breadth of your academic record
- OAT scores
- Evidence of work (paid or volunteer) under the supervision of a professional optometrist
- Extracurricular activities and community service
- Strength of recommendations and on-campus interviews
Consult each optometry school’s website for its admission prerequisites. Enrollment in optometry schools is limited, and admission is selective. All pre-optometry courses must be completed before entering a college of optometry.
The following list of courses represents a minimum pre-optometry program:
General Biology |
BIO 2101, 2102, 2103 |
15 |
Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Microbiology |
BIO 2129 and BIO 2130 and BIO 3351 |
15 |
General Chemistry |
CHM 1211, 1212 |
10 |
Introductory Inorganic Chemistry |
CHM 2540 |
5 |
Organic Chemistry |
CHM 3371, 3372, 3373 |
15 |
Mathematics |
Including a course in calculus |
10–15 |
Statistics |
MAT 2360 |
5 |
Physics |
HY 1101, 1102, 1103 or 1121, 1122, 1123 |
15 |
Psychology |
|
5 |
Other Social Sciences |
|
5–10 |
English |
Must include a course in expository writing |
6-9 |
Total |
|
106–119 |
While some optometry programs admit students with prerequisites complete and no bachelor’s degree, the most competitive applicant has a completed degree. Check the requirements of the individual schools that interest you.