About Optometry
Optometrists are doctors of optometry (ODs) and are independent primary healthcare professionals for the eye. Optometry programs are 4 year graduate programs where you learn the fundamentals of examining, diagnosing, treating, and managing diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and conditions affecting the eye. Optometrists may be generalists who work with a wide variety of patients or they may be specialists who focus on a particular population or issue. Many aspiring optometrists elect courses in business because optometry is a field where many professionals own their own practice or create a limited liability corporation with other optometrists.
Explore Your Interest in Optometry
Shadowing & Informational Interviews
An excellent way to explore your interest in optometry is by observing providers. Shadowing optometrists shows you what their day is like and how they work with patients.
Volunteering
Optometry programs look for applicants who demonstrate a sustained commitment to serving others. Learn more about opportunities to volunteer in clinical and non-clinical settings.
Jobs
Getting a job as an optometry technician is a great way to learn about the practical aspects of the field. Confirm that this work is something you enjoy!
Preparing for Optometry School
Optometry schools use a process called holistic review to weigh personal factors, academic preparation, and professional experience when reviewing an applicant’s “readiness” for optometry. Put together, these create a picture of you as a whole person.
In addition to having a clear motivation for the field, completing required coursework, shadowing, experience in clinical and community settings, hobbies and interests, and taking the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) are common admissions factors for optometry schools.
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) list school-specific prerequisites on their Applicant/Student Profile and Prerequisites page. Required courses may include:
Optometry Required Coursework
Application Process
Optometry schools use a central application called OptomCAS, similar to the Common App, to collect biographical information, academic information, experience, and letters of recommendation in one place for schools to review.
Applications open in July and it can be important to submit early if a school does rolling admissions so talk to us in CPHA about timing. You can learn more about requirements and admissions through the directory of optometry schools. Most schools also give you a chance to submit additional essays that are specific to their school called secondary essays. These essays are a chance to “speak” directly to a school about your interest in their program.
If an optometry program does interviews, they can begin as early as August and go through December. In spring, you can attend second-look weekends if you have been offered a spot at a school. Schools (and applicants) finalize their decisions in February and March, and you begin your program in July. The application process takes a full year!
Related CPHA Canvas Courses
Enroll in Pre-Health 101
Our most important advising resource for first year students is Pre-Health 101, our online orientation on Canvas. It provides an overview of pre-health classes, activities, application timelines, and more.
Enroll in Applying to Health Programs
CPHA runs a Canvas course called Applying to Health Programs, a non-credit course designed to help you with the process of applying to optometry programs.
In this course, you'll learn about the application, getting organized, writing essays, preparing for the OAT, school selection, paying for the application and optometry school, interviews, and more.
Career Resources
American Optometric Association (AOA) is the national professional society for both doctors of optometry and optometry students. Check out their Guide to Optometric Loans, Grants and Scholarships.
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) represents all of the optometry schools in the US and Puerto Rico and is the central resource for researching optometry programs, preparing for the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), and filling out the OptomCAS application.