Admissions Requirements

COVID-19 Special Considerations

PASS/FAIL grades in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:  

We will accept all passing or passing equivalent grades for prerequisite coursework taken during the COVID-19 pandemic as long as the change from graded to P/F, S/U, or an equivalent binary mark, was mandated by your university. You will have to submit official documentation with your application showing that a change to P/F, or an equivalent, was issued unilaterally by your institution for your course and you did not have the option to receive a letter grade. Documentation can include a forwarded e-mail or screenshot of a website announcement from your institution. You can request a letter grade from the course instructor or your institution’s registrar office. 

Shadowing:

We strongly prefer applicants shadow an optometrist in-person as we believe this provides the best insight into the optometric industry. However, we understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges in that regard. Therefore, we will be accepting an informational interview in place of one required shadowing experience. Shadowing experiences and interviews are reported on an honor-system basis, and should be used to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the profession.

Entrance Exams:

We also recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has created significant delays in scheduling tests. We encourage students to submit their application even if they have not yet taken their entrance exam so that we can begin reviewing their application as soon as possible.

Prerequisite Courses for the College of Optometry

Admission requires completion of the prerequisites listed below or their equivalents from any accredited college or university. At least one year of this work should be completed at a baccalaureate degree-granting institution. Students are encouraged to complete a bachelor’s degree prior to matriculation in our program. However, some high-achieving students are admitted with three years (90 semester hours) of undergraduate coursework. The number of courses listed below is provided as a guideline. In assessing course content for equivalency, actual numbers of courses may vary for your institution. In some cases, multiple courses may be needed to fulfill prerequisite coursework.

 
  • English Composition (1 Course)

  • Inorganic Chemistry, with laboratory  (Usually 2 courses)

  • Organic Chemistry, no laboratory required (1 Course)

  • Biochemistry (1 or 2 courses)
    If your institution divides biochemistry into a two series course, you need to take both courses to meet our course content requirements.

  • Physics, with laboratory (2 Courses)
    Physics course work should cover mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism and modern physics.

  • Mathematics – Calculus (1 Course)

  • Biology, with laboratory (2 Courses)

  • Physiology (1 or 2 Courses)
    Physiology course work must cover all of the systems of the body. 

  • Microbiology, with laboratory (1 Course)

  • Introductory Psychology (1 Course)

  • Humanities (2 – 3 Courses)

  • Social Sciences (2 – 3 Courses)

Ohio State Courses

ENGL 1110

CHEM 1210 & 1220

CHEM 2510

BIOCHEM 4511 or PHR 3200

PHY 1200 & 1201

MATH 1151

BIO 1113 & 1114

EEOB 2520 or PHYSIO 3200 or PHR 3100

MICRO 4000

PSYCH 1100

2 – 3 Humanities

2 – 3 Social Sciences

 
*Ohio State students may be eligible for the BSVS 3+4 Option. See below for details.