Aspiring to be an optometrist is an admirable career path. Not only do you help people improve their visual health, but it’s also a lucrative profession with a projected growth of 4% over the next decade. But getting into optometry school requires dedication, hard work, and resilience. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the requirements, timelines, and OAT prep materials you’ll need to successfully get into optometry school.
Prerequisite Courses and GPA
To be considered as a candidate for admission to the professional OD program, a four-year baccalaureate degree is highly recommended. The educational institution must be accredited. Students who have completed all pre-requisite courses and a minimum of three years (90 semester credits) of undergraduate study from an accredited institution will also be considered for admission.
2. Application and Transcripts
The SUNY State College of Optometry participates in OptomCAS, the centralized application system for all schools and colleges of optometry in the United States and Puerto Rico. All application materials, including official transcripts, must be submitted through OptomCAS.
- Official transcripts of all completed coursework must be submitted from all institutions attended.
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3. Letters of Recommendation
All applicants are required to attain three letters of recommendation:
- One letter from a science faculty member attesting to the applicant’s academic abilities in the sciences.
- One letter from a professional supervisor (employer, coach, non-science faculty, internship director, etc.) attesting to the candidate’s abilities working in a professional, volunteer, or research setting.*In place of a letter from a professional supervisor, a second letter of recommendation may be submitted from a science faculty member.
- One letter from an optometrist attesting to the applicant’s demonstrated experiences/knowledge of the profession.
- A minimum of 3.0 GPA
Requirements for Optometry School Admission
Becoming an optometrist requires a Bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited optometry school. In addition to meeting the prerequisites for optometry school, you’ll need to pass the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), participate in optometry-related extracurricular activities, and gain clinical experience.
To get into optometry school, you’ll need to obtain a Bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Each optometry school has its own prerequisites, so it’s essential to research individual optometry schools to ensure you meet their requirements. In addition to your academic achievements, you’ll need to participate in internships or optometry-related volunteer work to showcase your commitment to the field.