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Application & General Admission Policy
The Ohio State University College of Optometry has joined all the other optometry schools and colleges throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico in the launch of optometry’s new centralized application service, OptomCAS.
The OptomCAS service allows prospective students to submit one application that will be sent to multiple optometry programs. The new service is designed to streamline the application process and make it more efficient and user-friendly. All prospective students applying for Autumn 2010 admission to the Ohio State Doctor of Optometry program must apply via OptomCAS. To access the OptomCAS site, please use the following link:
After you submit your OptomCAS application, it will be reviewed by all schools to which you have applied. Competitive applicants to The Ohio State University College of Optometry will be invited to submit a brief supplemental application that will provide additional information for our Admissions Committee to consider. Selected applicants will be invited for an admission interview.
Feel free to contact Justin Griest, Manager of Admissions Information, by phone at 614-292-8825 or by email using our online contact page, if you have questions about the Ohio State Optometry application process.
General admission information
Admissions to OSU Optometry 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
Please visit the undergraduate webpage (http://www.undergrad.osu.edu) for general information on freshman and transfer admissions requirements to The Ohio State University.
Optometry Admission Test
The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) is an assessment of your academic ability and knowledge in six sections: biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, math (quantitative), and reading comprehension.
The OAT is offered throughout the year at Prometric Testing Centers. You should plan ahead for taking the OAT and schedule a testing date several weeks in advance. Information about registering for the test can be found at: www.opted.org. Please note that you must register with OAT before you can contact a Prometric Testing Center for a testing date. You must have your official scores sent to OSU College of Optometry directly from OAT as we cannot accept copies of your score report from Prometric. Scores are good for two years and are generally sent to the college within two weeks of your test date. You must submit your OAT scores by March 31st preceding the autumn term for which you are applying.
The OAT can be retaken once every 90 days. In addition to registration instructions and materials, the OAT website (www.opted.org) also provides a tutorial, test preparation materials, and a sample test.
You will receive an individual score for each of the sections as well as an Academic Average score (the average score for all six sections) and a Total Science score (a recalculation of the science sections only). The test is scored from 200 (minimum score) to 400 (maximum score). The average score for an admitted student generally falls between 310 – 330 for each section and for the Academic Average and Total Science scores. Scores below 300 are less competitive. Please contact our Office of Student Affairs if you have any questions about your specific scores.
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.
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 asked to pay a $500 fee to reserve their spot in the admitted class ($25 acceptance fee/$475 tuition deposit). Neither the application fee nor the acceptance fee is refundable or credited toward any other fees charged by the University. The $475 tuition deposit is refundable through May 15th.
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.
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 attend a financial aid overview, take a tour of the College and OSU campus, and have lunch with a currently enrolled student.
