Pre-Optometry

Admission requirements vary by institution so you should research programs of interest. A program-specific guide can be accessed here.

In general, requirements include:

• 1 year general biology
• 1 year general chemistry
• 1 year organic chemistry
• 1 year introductory or general physics
• 1 year English
• Courses in social sciences or humanities

Application Timeline:

Optometry school directly after Messiah University:

• Required courses must be completed by end of senior year (although preference may be given to applicants who complete the required courses sooner)
• Apply during summer between junior and senior year.

Standardized Test:

• The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is required by all schools of Optometry http://www.ada.org/en/oat
• The OAT consists of four tests: Survey of the Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics and Quantitative Reasoning.
• The OAT is administered at Prometric Test Centers several times each year.

Application Service:

• Application Information
• School-specific deadlines and requirements
• APPLY EARLY! Do not wait until application deadlines!

• Messiah University + Salus University in Optometry (OD)