Pre-Optometry
Preparation for Optometry School
What should I major in if I want to go to Optometry school? There is
not a specific major that is required for admittance in an optometry program.
However, most optometry schools are science intensive
(biology or chemistry). With your advisor’s assistance you can
design a program that meets the requirements to enter an optometry school while
studying what you are most interested in.
Students who have developed excellent writing and speaking skills, possess
analytic and synthetic thinking ability, life-long learners who are
enthusiastic, and understand the interpersonal aspects of medicine are they type
of students most optometry schools seek. Your major does not
determine your success in being accepted to optometry school.
Undergraduate Preparation
The “pre-optometry” checklist is a beginning point for students.
There
are certain criteria that must be fulfilled for admittance to optometry school.
You and your academic advisor will need to examine your interests, your academic
record and the requirements to determine the best academic path for you.
Most schools require pre-professional level science courses - brief survey
courses in the sciences usually do not
prepare you for optometry school. According to Association of Schools
& Colleges of Optometry the following are a guide of suggested pre-requisite
courses:
- BIOL 1110/1111 - Principles of Biology
- BIOL 2300/2301 or 4300/4301 - Microbiology or Bacteriology
- BIOL 2010/2011 & BIOL 2020/2021 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I and
II
- CHEM 1110/1111 & 1120/1121 -General Chemistry I and II
- CHEM 3510/3511 - Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 4310/4311 - Biochemistry
- MATH 1530 - Statistics
- MATH 1910 - Calculus
- PHYS 2010/2011 & PHYS 2020/2021 - College Physics I and II
- English, History, Speech, Social Sciences, Psychology
Early in your academic career you will need to research some of the optometry
schools you are interested in attending in order to insure you will meet all
their criteria for admission. Some basic factors common to all professional
schools include:
- Good undergraduate grades (overall GPA of 3.0 minimum)
- Test scores
(OAT - for
Optometry)
- True interest in profession as demonstrated by shadowing or volunteering
in the field
- Service-related experiences in people-oriented environments – long term
service preferred to short bursts of unrelated service activities
- Exceptional communication skills
- Strong reference letters from professionals often including an
optometrist that you have shadowed as well as other professionals who know
your character, as well as, your work ethic.
