Due to the competitive nature of optometry school admissions, it is critical for those considering applying to learn about the various types of optometry prerequisites. To begin, applicants to optometry school must typically pass an admissions test and have completed at least three years of undergraduate study. Furthermore, applicants must have completed certain classes, the majority of which are science-based, during their undergraduate studies. Applicants may find that gaining some experience in an optometry environment and participating in extracurricular activities can improve their chances of acceptance, though these are not necessarily optometry prerequisites.
Prerequisites for optometry vary school, so applicants should check with the admissions office of a prospective school well before the application deadline to learn more about its requirements. Most schools, on the other hand, only consider applications from students who have done well on a standardized admissions exam that measures things like scientific and mathematic concepts. Applicants must also have completed at least three years of undergraduate education. Only those who have completed an undergraduate degree are eligible to apply to certain optometry schools.
While no specific undergraduate major is required for admission to optometry school, applicants must typically have completed a number of classes that will help them prepare for an optometry curriculum. Biology, physics, chemistry, math, and English are usually required classes. Students with a high overall grade point average (GPA) are more likely to be accepted into optometry school than those who did poorly in their undergraduate classes.
While not technically optometry prerequisites, certain factors may improve one’s chances of being accepted to optometry school. Those interested in applying to optometry school, for example, should consider working in an optometrist’s office. This kind of experience can help an applicant persuade an application review committee that he or she is truly committed to optometry. It can also give the individual a good sense of what the field is like, allowing him to confirm that optometry is the right choice for him before enrolling in a program.
Finally, participation in extracurricular activities may distinguish one’s application to optometry school from that of other applicants. Working as an optometrist necessitates a desire to assist others. Volunteering at a soup kitchen or a free health clinic, for example, could be a good extracurricular activity for those planning to apply to optometry school.