Examine the eyes for visual defects and prescribing corrective lenses.

For descriptions of this profession, see: For Applicants and Advisors section and Optometry: A Career Guide section of the  or 

LENGTH OF PROGRAM

Optometry School: 4 years

Residency: Optional 1 year

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Schools may require English, cell biology, genetics, math, social sciences, humanities and/or other courses. Check directly with those schools and the . 

APPLICATION TIMELINE

For admittance directly after ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵapp: Prerequisite courses completed by the end of junior year; Apply summer before senior year.

For Gap Year: Prerequisite courses completed by the end of senior year; Apply summer after senior year.

APPLICATION SERVICE

 (OptomCAS)

• Available July 1
• Submission date opens July 1
• Deadlines vary by school and range from December through May.
• Schools not participating in OptomCAS, apply directly to the school.
• Apply early! Do not wait until the application deadline.

STANDARDIZED TEST

Optometry Admission Test (OAT): Take after biology, all chemistry, and physics courses are completed.

The OAT has four sections (Scale 200-400, with a national average of 300): Survey of the Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics, and Quantitative Reasoning. The test takes approximately 280 minutes to complete and is offered virtually every day of the year.  You receive your scores immediately upon completion of the test.

Free and low-cost preparation materials:

• Check with the Hubbard Center

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

• Overall and science GPA
• OAT scores
• Extracurricular activities
• Optometry-related experience
• Research experience
• Community service
• Leadership experiences
• Letters of recommendation- Often including one from the Health Professions Adviser
• Interview
• Personal statement

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

General:

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, CALL 765-658-4622, OR EMAIL HUBBARD@DEPAUW.EDU