College of Optometry admission applications are only available on-line; paper applications have been discontinued. The on-line application will now be available from July 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009. Initial transcripts and OAT scores must be submitted by the March 31 deadline. Additional transcripts and evaluation letters are the only credentials that will be accepted after the March 31 deadline. Prospective students who apply after March 31 will only be considered if a vacancy occurs. Please note that the change to a July 1 through March 31 admissions cycle represents a permanent change in our admissions process.

General policy concerning admissions

Admissions are done on a rolling basis and early application is strongly recommended. Applicants must have completed three or more years of undergraduate work, and preference will be given to those with an earned bachelor's degree.

High School Students

Optometry Admission Test

Applicants are required to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) which is now available in a computer-based version with frequent test dates offered throughout the year. This version of the OAT is offered at Prometric Learning Centers. Students must take the OAT by the application deadline of March 31. Please E-mail Admissions or go to www.opted.org to request an OAT information and registration booklet. Test scores are good for five years.

Time of application and admission

Students may apply for admission if they will have completed at least 135 quarter hours of credits in the required pre-optometry courses prior to the Autumn Quarter of admittance. Preference is given to students who will have completed a degree prior to entrance.

Knowledge of the Profession

Applicants should familiarize themselves with the optometry profession by visiting/observing several optometrists in their practices, as well as other health professionals. Email Admissions for information on optometrists in your local area. Applicants must complete a minimum of 10 hours of observation in at least two optometric practices.

Application and acceptance fees

All prospective students who apply for the first time to the University must pay a $40 application fee ($50 for international students). Applicants admitted to the College of Optometry are assessed a $25 acceptance fee. Neither the application fee nor the acceptance fee is refundable or credited toward any other fees charged by the University.

Selection of students

Applicants to the College of Optometry must meet the minimum prerequisite course requirements with above-average standing. Students are selected on a competitive basis. Scholarship, motivation, interest, background, general qualifications for the profession, test scores, and personal interviews are all factors considered in the selection of candidates.

Pre-Optometry Students at Ohio State

Ohio State students who are interested in optometry and who are in good academic standing should consult a counselor in their college office to ensure completion of pre-optometry requirements and to complete a major which may help them in their later studies in optometry. Pre-Health Science academic counselors in The College of Arts and Sciences offer pre-Optometry advising. Prospective students may also contact admissions staff at the College of Optometry for information on prerequisites and the application process.

Pre-Optometry Students at Other Institutions

Professional Admissions at OSU offers free coursework evaluations for students attending other institutions to provide assistance in selecting and taking coursework that meets our prerequisite requirements. Please refer to the form found at the following link for additional evaluation information:
http://professional.osu.edu/prereq.htm. Prospective students may also schedule a meeting with admissions staff at the College of Optometry to discuss prerequisite requirements and the application process. Additionally, Optometry admissions staff attend recruitment events at other institutions. Our recruitment events schedule can be found by searching the college calendar located at:
http://optometry.osu.edu/futurestudents/recruitmentCalendar.cfm.

Advance transfer students

Students who transfer to Ohio State from other institutions may enroll in the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences or for Continuing Education credits until they complete the pre-optometry requirements.

Admission with advanced standing

Due to the specific course work in the Doctor of Optometry program at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, admission with advanced standing from other optometry programs is typically not possible. A student at another optometry program who wished to apply to the OSU College of Optometry would need to meet the customary competitive admissions requirements (see "Admissions Requirements" page), and would also need to provide a letter from a Student Affairs officer at the former optometry program attesting to her/his good academic standing currently or when he/she exited the program.

Information on gaining in-state residency status

Applicants from other states are subject to nonresident tuition. If the necessary conditions are met, it is possible to establish Ohio residency after one year, or immediately if certain other conditions are met. (This is applicable to U.S. citizens only). Please contact the Office of the University Registrar at 614-292-9330 for more information on residency issues.

Number admitted

In order to maintain the quality of instruction and to provide ample clinical facilities for enrolled students, the College of Optometry limits the number admitted into each class to the capacity of the facilities (typically 64 students per year).

Interview

Only those qualified applicants with the strongest credentials will be invited to the College of Optometry for interviews. Candidates selected for admission will be contacted by the Optometry Admissions Office.

Overview of the Interview Day

On the day of their interview, candidates will meet with members of the Admissions Committee. They will also take a tour of the College, and will receive a financial aid overview.