Preparing for Optometry School

Doctors of Optometry are primarily health care providers who diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system as regulated by state law. They may practice as independent practitioners, in a group practice, or in a health clinic or hospital.

Most students earn a Bachelors degree before enrolling in optometry school, but a degree is not required for admissions at all optometry schools. The schools that accept students after three years of undergraduate study usually offer a Bachelor of Science degree upon completion of some portion of the optometry curriculum coursework.

Students planning to study optometry should take at least a year of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, general physics, microbiology, English, college mathematics, and other social science and humanities courses. The following is a sample undergraduate curriculum as provided by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). It is most important that you contact your school of interest for their pre-optometry requirements:

Freshman Year	Sophomore Year	Junior Year
General Chemistry	Organic Chemistry	Biochemistry
Biology	Microbiology or Bacteriology	Anatomy
College Algebra	Calculus	Intro to Business
Trigonometry	Physics	History
English	Psychology	Sociology
	Statistics	Speech
		Physiology

Course Requirements - Berkeley School of Optometry

School specific prerequisites of the seventeen US colleges from ASCO

Note: If you plan to enroll in optometry school after three years of college, start using this timetable in your sophomore year. If you plan to enroll in optometry school after graduation, start using this timetable in your junior year.

April - June:

• Begin researching available programs.
• Start exploring financial aid resources.
• Take a practice test.
• Renew and establish contact with professors and optometry professionals for letters of recommendation.
• Set up file for letters of recommendation in the Career Center Letter Service.
• Students should contact a pre-graduate advisor at the Career Center to discuss preparation and strategy for application.

June - September:

• Prepare for the OAT.
• Obtain applications for Schools of Optometry; early application is advised.
• Make plans to attend the UC Berkeley Pre Optometry conference typically held one Saturday during the Fall Semester. Contact the UCB School of Optometry for details.

September:

• Review academic progress to make sure prerequisites have either been completed or will be completed by expected entry.
• Write several drafts of your personal statement; submit to the Career Center for online review.
• Attend Career Center Graduate/Professional School Workshops.
• Request your letters of recommendation.

October-November:

• Take or retake the fall OAT.
• Consult with a pre-professional advisor on preparing application.
• Begin application to schools and colleges of optometry. Early application is strongly advised.

Suggested Extra-Curricular Activities

While academics are a very important part of being accepted into an optometry school, the schools and colleges are not just looking for the 4.0 student - they prefer to see well-rounded applicants who are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities while still doing well academically. Following is a list of some suggested extra-curricular activities, but keep in mind this is not an all-inclusive list. One should select those activities that best fit one's personality and interests.

Sports	Student Government	Pre-Optometry Club
Volunteering	Campus Religious Groups	Service Organizations
Debate/Forensics	Tutoring	Fraternities/Sororities

Volunteer or paid experience with an optometrist is essential in your preparation for optometry school. First, as a prospective optometry professional, you gain valuable insight into your decision whether optometry is the career path for you. Second, you develop the opportunity to receive a letter of support from an optometry professional, a vital element of your application. Good strategies for locating optometrists to volunteer or work with are to join Foresight, the Berkeley pre-optometry club, or to make an appointment with a pre-professional counselor at the Career Center.