General Information for Pre-Optometry Students

I. MAJOR
There is not a preferred or required major for students who wish to attend optometry school. Optometry schools recognize the importance of a broad education which includes a strong foundation in sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics) and a solid background in social sciences (political science, psychology, sociology, anthropology) and humanities (literature, history, philosophy, aesthetics).

II. REQUIRED COURSES
Although one particular major is not required, each optometry school has a set of courses which are required as part of the undergraduate preparation for optometry school. Courses in biology, physics, mathematics, English, chemistry and psychology are required by most colleges of Optometry. Indiana University School of Optometry requirements and Purdue equivalents are listed below.

Requirements	Semesters	Purdue Equivalents
A. Biology/Zoology Introductory with lab	1-2	BIOL 110, 111 or Biology Majors only: BIOL 131, 136, 137 138, 139
B. Biology/advanced animal or developmental	1	Any 200 level or above
C. Microbiology with laboratory	1	BIOL 221 or 438-439
D. Chemistry, General with laboratory	2	CHM 115-116 or CHM 125-126 or CHM 123-124
E. Chemistry, Organic with laboratory	1	CHM 255 and 256 or 255 and 255L (two courses, lecture and lab or two lectures) or 261 and 262, or 261 and 263
F. Calculus	1-2	MA 223-224 or MA 161
G. Physics with laboratory	2	PHYS 220-221 or PHYS 152 and 241, 251 or 261
H. Psychology	1	PSY 120
I. Writing Skills	2	ENGL 106 or 108 and a second English course with a strong writing component

Students entering the Indiana University School of Optometry without a bachelor’s degree must have the following courses in addition to those listed above.

Requirements	Semesters	Purdue Equivalents
J. Arts and Humanities	2	2 Courses
K. Foreign Language	2	2 Courses May be met by a placement examination.
L. Social and Historical Studies	2	2 Courses
M. Additional credits to total 90 credit hours Courses recommended but not required:
Human Anatomy and Physiology	2	BIOL 301 and 302 or BIOL 203 and 204
Biochemistry	2	CHM 333, BCHM 307, or BCHM 561 or 562

III. SELECTION VARIABLES
Admission to optometry school is competitive. The average grade point average for students who enter optometry school is 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. Schools of optometry expect students to show demonstrated academic ability.

In addition to academic ability, optometry schools expect students to have a desire to work with people and serve society. Students may demonstrate these traits by participation in extra curricular and volunteer activities.

IV. TIMING THE OPTOMETRY SCHOOL APPLICATION
Most optometry schools require a minimum of three years of college, but prefer four years of college. Purdue students may complete the pre-optometry curriculum in three different ways. They may complete a bachelor’s degree in a traditional four-year program, and enter optometry school after graduation. They may complete a 3+1 program. This program, designed for high achieving students, requires a student to complete most of the credit hours for a bachelor’s degree, and all of the required courses, in three years. The 3+1 student applies to optometry school at the beginning of the third year of undergraduate study. If admitted, the student completes the first year of optometry school and transfers his or her credits back to the Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue. The bachelor’s degree, in Biological Sciences, is awarded upon the successful completion of the first year of optometry school. The third method of completing the pre-optometry curriculum is the non-degree option. Students have the option of attending Purdue to complete the required courses for optometry school without completing the requirements for a Purdue degree. Only a small number of the students admitted to optometry school have followed this option.

Application deadlines for the seventeen United States schools of optometry range from January 1 through April 1. Applicants are encouraged to apply no later than fall of the senior year in college.

V. OPTOMETRY ADMISSIONS TEST
The Optometry Admissions Test, or the OAT is an examination that is required for admission to all schools of Optometry. The examination is offered in February and in October. Registration deadlines are usually one month before the exam is offered. The OAT attempts to test a student’s achievement in Natural Sciences, Physics, Reading Comprehension and Quantitative Reasoning.

VI. APPLICATION PROCESS
Optometry schools are happy to provide application materials to individual students. Students should contact the optometry schools directly and request that application materials be mailed. The Optometry School website can be found at: http://www.opted.org.

Amy Terstriep
Health Professions Advisor
Purdue University
1-112 Lilly Hall of Life Sciences
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054
(765) 494-4747