Pre-Optometry
Prerequisites
Prerequisites are suggested courses that most optometry schools require/recommend students to take before applying.
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http://www.optomcas.org/information-about-schools-colleges/school-college-prerequisites
Optometry vs Ophthalmology what is the big deal?
Optometrists (O.D)
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Ophthalmologists (M.D)
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Tips to be a competitive Optometry school applicant
- Obtain a GPA no less than a 3.4
- Obtain a high OAT score. Depending on the school, aim for at least a 320
- Apply early, optometry schools admit students and conduct interviews on a first come first serve basis.
- Shadow an optometrist. Note: some optometry schools have a minimum amount of shadowing hours that they require from applicants.
- Demonstrate leadership and involvement in community activities.
Optometry Admissions Test
For more information visit our OAT page
The OAT is a standardized exam that optometry schools use to assess the knowledge and skills of its applicants.
The OAT is divided into four sections; Survey of the Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, and
Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics and Quantitative Reasoning. Overall the test contains about 220 questions and takes about 275 minutes (5 hours) to complete.
Students can register for this exam by going to the ASCO website and clicking on the "Optometry Admission Test" link at the top. Immediately after completing the exam students receive an unofficial score but it will be another few weeks until they know their official audited scores.
Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics and Quantitative Reasoning. Overall the test contains about 220 questions and takes about 275 minutes (5 hours) to complete.
Students can register for this exam by going to the ASCO website and clicking on the "Optometry Admission Test" link at the top. Immediately after completing the exam students receive an unofficial score but it will be another few weeks until they know their official audited scores.
How to apply to Texas Optometry Schools
Students can must apply to Optometry schools through the Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS).
The optometry school application/admission cycle runs from July 1 to March 31 for the following fall.
The optometry school application/admission cycle runs from July 1 to March 31 for the following fall.
A complete OptomCAS Application includes
- A complete online application
- A paid fee of $155 per application and an additional $55 fee for each additional school the student wishes to apply.
- Supporting documents sent to the the OptomCAS application system
- Secondary application (a school specific application that contains additional questions sent directly to the applicants from the optometry schools).
- At least 3 letters of recommendation from an optometrist, a teacher/professor, and a job professional/boss.
Optometry Schools in Texas
There are twenty optometry schools in the U.S and two of them are located in Texas.
University of the Incarnate Word
Rosenberg School of Optometry 9725 Datapoint Dr., CPO 17 San Antonio, TX 78229 210-883-1190 http://optometry.uiw.edu/ |
The University of Houston
College of Optometry 505 J. Davis Armistead Bldg Houston, TX 77204-2020 713-743-2020 http://www.opt.uh.edu/ |
Costs of Texas Optometry schools
Below are the estimated tuition and fees for the optometry schools in Texas. Keep in mind that these estimates are not fixed and can change at any time. To receive the most accurate results contact the optometry school directly.
- University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry ----------------------------$37,780 per year
- The University of Houston College of Optometry---------------------------------------------------- $19,500 per year
Resources
- http://www.opt.uh.edu/students/studenthandbook.pdf
- http://optometry.uiw.edu/financial/tuitionfees.html
- http://www.eyecareprofessions.com/optometrist/admissions-tips.html
- http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-doctors-optometrists-ophthalmologists
- http://www.ada.org/en/oat
- https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/health-professions-related-clinical-sciences-preoptometry-studies
- https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/careers/health-diagnosis-treatment-optometrists
- http://www.optomcas.org/information-about-schools-colleges/school-college-prerequisites
- http://www.optometrystudents.com/letters-of-recommendation-for-optometry-school/
- https://portal.optomcas.org/applicants2013/faq/lors.shtml
- http://optometry.osu.edu/futureStudents/policies.cfm
- http://www.optomcas.org/sample-page/application-fees