You should always look into the specific optometry school requirements for admission of your choice. One requirement is that the applicant should have completed an undergraduate degree at a recognized university that included a heavy component of science courses.
Some schools will not require a completed undergraduate degree and will accept at least a 3 year college program that was science based. Most schools however prefer applicants that have completed a four year relevant bachelor’s degree.
Optometry School Requirements – The OAT
To be considered by any optometry school, an applicant must take a standardized test specifically tailored for optometry. This standardized test is referred to as OAT which is short for Optometry Admission Test.
The test is computerized and covers 4 areas; quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, physics and natural sciences. The higher your scores on the OAT the better your chances for gaining admission at optometry school even though high test scores do not guarantee admission.
The test can be retaken many times but a time lapse of 3 months is required between re-takes. An applicant’s GPA in previous academic courses and high school may also be considered in making the admission decision.
Optometry School Requirements – The Admission Process
Another application requirement is a duly completed application form. The school may or may not require a statement of motivation or statement of purpose.
Academic transcripts are also a crucial requirement as they give an indication of the applicant’s academic ability. Recommendation letters from previous professors, practising optometrists or respected members of society will also be required under normal circumstances.
Other factors the admission board may consider include extracurricular activities, community service, leadership skills and other skills and characteristics. Applicants should be well-rounded and not only demonstrate academic ability but also social ability.
Optometrists handle patients on a day to day basis and necessarily require certain skills such as personal and communication skills, problem solving skills, sensory-motor skills and observation abilities.
A candidate should also be empathetic, sensitive, be committed, have high standards of ethics and integrity, adaptable and be professional.
The application process may include a personal interview where the admission board will ask the applicant relevant questions that will help them decide the suitability of the candidate. There may be a general preference for applicants that have had some level of experience in optometry but this is not always the case.
Optometry school requirements may seem rigorous but this is mainly due to the numerous applications received every year as opposed to the limited spots in the schools.
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