Optometrists, (O.D.) who are primary eye doctors detect and care for vision problems. They prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and medications to treat eye disorders. They are not qualified to do eye surgery, but they regularly provide patients with pre and post surgical care and are qualified to remove certain foreign bodies in the eye.

Every so often, ophthalmologists and optometrists work in the same practice. It could be a private or public hospital setting.

As part of the need, they must attend a 4-year optometry school and, after commencement, they must pass written and clinical state board examinations to get certified. Some optometrists go on to get higher education in either master’s degree or even PhD in visual science, public health etc. The College of Optometry come across students who are both academically and personally qualified to complete the four-year professional optometry program and to practice optometry in a highly competent, and conscientious manner.

Academic Criteria

 In order to qualify for admission, students are required to have a baccalaureate degree but not a specified major. About 90% of applicants majored in Biology and a grade of “C” or better in each required prerequisite course. Please Note that, Optometry Admission Test (OAT) scores is one of the aspects considered. Besides your academic work, extra curricular activities you do besides school are also highly weighted. In case you get a “C”  in a science course it is also good to retake it to show your strength to the admission committee.

Personal Criteria

(i) Personal information, such as, educational history, work experiences, community/ volunteer experiences, etc.

(ii) Communication skills

(ii) Involvement in college and community activities

(iv) Academic letters of reference at least (3)  (From 3 different academic professors, a manager or a doctor etc.)

 Optometry schools usually require

 Here are some prerequisites the college of optometry require but it will be nice to check with every optometry school to check what they specifically require. General Biology I & II, General Microbiology, General Chemistry I and II, General Physics I & II, Statistics, Psychology and Organic Chemistry. At least 55-60 semester hours of prerequisite math/science courses must be completed satisfactorily.

Application Process

A fifty dollar ($50), non-refundable application fee for online applications is required. A seventy-five ($75) non-refundable application fee is required for paper applications. Students must complete an online www.optomcas.edu  or paper application for admission and must submit all supporting credentials by February 1 prior to the fall semester in which they expect to enter. APPLY EARLY.

 Submission of scores on the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). This test is given two times a year, in October and in February, at testing centers in colleges and universities throughout the United States.

More information and an application form may be obtained by www.opted.org

The OAT application should be submitted at least one month before the student plans to take the test. Students are urged to take the test no later than the fall of the year preceding the desired admission date.

 Letters of recommendation provided by an undergraduate pre professional committee or by three professors who are familiar with the student’s course work. Letters must be submitted on official college or university stationery. Students may also submit additional letters from optometrists, other health professionals, or personal references. All letters of recommendation must be mailed directly to the college’s Office of Student Affairs and Admissions by the originator.