Pre-optometry

Choosing a Major

  • Pre-optometry students must choose a major (pre-optometry is not a major).
  • Commonly chosen majors include biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and neuroscience.
  • Any major is acceptable, so long as the student completes all pre-optometry requirements.
  • Consult the pre-professional health advisor – Francie Renschler.

Recommended Attributes of Optometry School Applicants

  1. Competitive GPA of 3.3 or higher, especially in science courses
  2. High score on OAT exam
  3. Strong letters of recommendation from professors and an optometrist
  4. Active in volunteer or work experience and leadership in extracurricular activities
  5. Recommend some exposure to practicing optometrists

Common Pre-requisites for Admission to Optometry School

Biology

  • BIOL 107 or BIOL 119 (General Biology or Introduction to Biology - Molecular Perspectives)
  • BIOL 120 (Introduction to Organismal Diversity)
  • BIOL 331 (Genetics)*
  • BIOL 430 (Microbiology)
  • BIOL/EXSS 112 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I)*
  • BIOL/EXSS 113 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II)*

Chemistry

  • CHEM 118 (Principles of Chemistry)
  • CHEM 280 (Inorganic Chemistry I)
  • CHEM 240 (Organic Chemistry I)
  • CHEM 370 (Biochemistry)

Physics

  • PHYS 121 (Algebra Physics I)
  • PHYS 122 (Algebra Physics II)

Psychology

  • PSYC 121 (Introduction to Psychology)
  • PSYC 245 (Statistics for Psychologists)

MATH

  • MATH 221 (Calculus I)

Humanities

  • 6 credit hours of foreign language
  • 6 credit hours of arts and humanities
  • 3 credit hours of English composition

*Recommended, but not required.
Course requirements for optometry schools may vary, please check the website for school of interest.

AP/Dual Credit

Most optometry schools will accept AP or Dual Credit for science and/or prerequisite courses if they appear on your college transcript, but may limit the number of AP credit hours accepted.

Admissions Timeline

  • Take the OAT exam in spring or early summer before senior year.
  • Complete application through the OptomCAS July through January.
  • Complete any supplementary application for individual schools.
  • Interview or Admission Day conducted by schools in fall through winter.

Academic Advising

All pre-optometry students must meet with an academic advisor in their major department in addition to meeting with the pre-professional health advisor during time of registration each semester!