Ohio University

In contrast to medical or dental school, there is no centralized application service for optometry school. You must request information from and apply to the various colleges individually. We suggest that you apply during the summer between your junior and senior years. When all application material has been received and reviewed, selected applicants will be invited to visit the optometry school and interview with members of the admissions committee. After the interview, the committee either accepts or rejects the applicant or places him/her on an alternate list. Do not procrastinate. Many schools begin accepting students as early as October or November.

All schools and colleges of optometry require that applicants take the OAT (Optometry Admission Test). The examination lasts approximately 5 hours and has four sections: 1) natural sciences: biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry; 2) science reading comprehension; 3) physics; 4) quantitative reasoning. The OAT is offered in February and October. If you are prepared, it is wise to take the test in February so that you can complete your application promptly or, if necessary, retake the test. You can obtain registration material for the OAT in the Pre-professional Advising Office or by calling (312)440-2693. Sample OAT questions are included in the registration brochure. You can supplement your OAT study with a commercial preparation course, review books or software. This is a very important test. Take it seriously and prepare well.