How to Apply
The next step in your optometric journey is to apply to The Ohio State University College of Optometry.
Apply through OptomCAS
The Ohio State Optometry application is available on OptomCAS. After we receive your submitted OptomCAS application, you will be invited via email to file The Ohio State Optometry Supplemental Application. To access the OptomCAS site, please use the following link: optomcas.org
In addition to submitting your online application, you must arrange to have the following materials sent directly to OptomCAS (address is provided in your application materials):
- Letters of recommendation. One must be from an optometrist, one must be from a professor, and the third letter is from someone of your choice.
- Official transcripts sent from each post-secondary school you have attended. Please note: You can only send updated official transcript materials to OptomCAS until February 1. After that date your updated transcripts should be sent to:
The Ohio State University Professional Admissions P.O. Box 182004 Columbus, OH 43218-2646
Electronic transcripts can be sent to gpadocs@osu.edu.
You must designate Ohio State as an official OAT score recipient. If you have not done so or have updated test scores please notify our office at admissions@optometry.osu.edu. The OAT must be taken by March 1 preceding the autumn term for which you are applying.
Application and acceptance fees
All applicants must pay a $60 application fee ($70 for international students). Applicants who are admitted will pay a $750 acceptance fee to reserve their spot in the admitted class. Neither the application fee nor the acceptance fee is refundable. A portion of this fee will be credited towards tuition for the first semester.
Application Deadlines
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Rolling Admissions
The admission cycle runs from June 29 to March 1 for admission for the following autumn. Admission to The Ohio State University College of Optometry is done on a rolling basis therefore early application is strongly recommended. 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. Please see the Admission Requirements page for more details.
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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.optometriceducation.org. You must submit your OAT scores by March 1 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 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 Ohio State student generally falls between 320 – 340 for each section and for the Academic Average and Total Science scores. Scores below 300 are less competitive.
In some cases, we will consider the acceptance of other graduate /professional school tests such as the GRE, MCAT, PCAT and DAT. Please consult our office if you have questions related to the acceptance of tests other than the OAT.