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Text Content

Become an Inspiring Future ODs Ambassador!            LEARN MORE

 * futureeyedoc.org
 * ASCO Learning Center
 * OptomCAS
 * Optometry Admission Test
 * Optometry Programs Admissions Directory
 * Residency Programs
 * ASCOConnect
 * Meetings & Events
 * Sponsorship Opportunities
 * 

     

 * 
   For Faculty & Administrators
   * 
     Professional Development
   * 
     Faculty Directory
   * 
     Data & Reports
   * 
     Optometric Education Leadership Institute
   * 
     Committees, Task Forces, SIGs & Groups
   * 
     International Optometric Education
   * 
     Clinical Preceptors’ Toolkit
   * 
     ASCO Policy Guidelines & Reports
   * 
     Jobs / Careers
   * 
     Graduate Education and Research
   * 
     Career Opportunities for Doctors of Optometry in Academia
   * 
     Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice
 * 
   For Practitioners
   * 
     Jobs / Careers
   * 
     ASCO Inspiring Future ODs Ambassador Program
 * 
   Future Students
   * 
     Resources for Applicants and Advisors
   * 
     ASCO Member Schools and Colleges
   * 
     Associate Member Schools
 * 
   Current Students
   * 
     Graduate Education and Research
   * 
     Residency Programs
 * 
   Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
   * 
     Eye on Diversity Initiative – Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision
     * 
       Speaker Series Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision
   * 
     Diversity and Inclusion Resources
   * 
     Anti-Racism Compiled Resource List
   * 
     ASCO Cultural Competence
   * 
     Optometry Summer Programs
 * 
   Data & Reports
   * 
     Data & Surveys
 * 
   Awards & Grants
   * 
     Resolutions
 * 
   News & Resources
   * 
     Eye on Optometry Blog
   * 
     ASCO News
   * 
     Additional Resources
   * 
     The Journal of Optometric Education
 * 
   About ASCO
   * 
     ASCO Staff Contact Information
   * 
     Executive Committee and Board of Directors
   * 
     Strategic Plan
   * 
     ASCO Code of Ethics and Statement of Values
   * 
     Meetings & Events
 * 
   Thank You Sponsors!




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Diversity Speakers

Are you a Potential optometry student looking to chat with or shadow an eye doc?
Are you an Eye Doc willing to mentor or let a student shadow you?


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Diversity Speakers

Visit our booth #503 during optometry's meeting

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for your Support

Virtual Fair

National Board of Examiners in Optometry Pass Rate Data Published

VIEW REPORT
Virtual Fair

Optometry Named One of Ten Low Stress High Paying Jobs

LEARN MORE





NAVIGATE YOUR PATH TO A CAREER IN OPTOMETRY

Why?

Why Optometry?

What?

What Does an Optometrist Do?

Who?

Who is a Good Candidate?

Where?

Where Can I Study?

How?

How Can I Improve My Chances of Success?


WHY BECOME A DOCTOR OF OPTOMETRY?

Three reasons to seriously consider a career in optometry:


1




2




3




WHAT DOES AN OPTOMETRIST DO?

Doctors of Optometry are the primary care doctors of the eye and the frontline
protectors of vision—our most valued sense. As primary-care providers, doctors
of optometry are educated, just as other physicians are, in general health and
systemic disease. Optometrists are often the first to detect critical health
issues—from diabetes to hypertension, from stroke to cancer—and refer their
patients for timely treatment. Optometrists therefore enjoy the dual
satisfaction of having the specialized knowledge to manage their patients’ eye
health as well as the medical education to protect their overall wellness.

Completing a residency in optometry is a unique and valuable experience that can
enhance career opportunities in different optometry practice areas such as
ocular disease, pediatric optometry, vision therapy and brain injury
rehabilitation Residencies are optional and are typically one year in duration
and are located within hospitals, military facilities, outpatient clinics, or
the clinical facilities of the various schools and colleges of optometry.

The profession of optometry involves much more than just prescribing and fitting
glasses and contact lenses. ODs are viewed increasingly as primary care
providers for patients seeking ocular or visual care. Learn more

For more information about the career of optometry and how to get into optometry
school check out the FAQs section.


WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE?

Only one degree qualifies you to become an optometrist: the Doctor of Optometry
(OD), a four-year, doctoral-level degree. Aspiring optometrists should complete
a bachelor’s degree and build a strong background in the sciences, preferably at
a four-year college or university. The best candidates pursue pre-professional
level science courses that are designed for science majors and health
professions students and also must score well on a required standardized exam
such as the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). Optometry school is demanding, and
admission is competitive.

Optometry schools are looking for well-rounded candidates who have achieved not
only in the classroom but also in other areas. Leadership ability, a disposition
to serve others, and a work ethic characterized by dedication and persistence
are just a few of the qualities that impress most admission committees. Watch
now

Most schools consider an applicant’s exposure to optometry to be of vital
importance. Applicants should become acquainted with at least one optometrist
and gain some firsthand experience to see what optometrists do.
Experience/exposure to the field is often a topic for discussion during the
admissions interview. Listen now

Because each optometry school may have slightly different admissions criteria,
it is strongly recommended that applicants contact all the schools and colleges
to which they are interested in applying.

View Prerequisites


WHERE CAN I STUDY?

There are 24 schools and colleges of optometry in the United States and two in
Canada.

The best advice to an applicant when selecting which institution to attend is to
obtain information from the individual schools, talk to recent graduates, visit
selected schools and ask pointed questions of faculty and students. Candidates
should be most concerned with the academic rigor of a program, the clinical
experience offered, and the availability of faculty and support services.

No valid ranking of optometry schools exists.

Use the Optometry Admissions Directory to search for optometry programs by
entering other specific search criteria.

Each school and college of optometry has its own admissions requirements and
prerequisites. Each applicant must apply through the OptomCAS centralized
application service to be considered.

 * Prerequisite Chart
 * Profile of Applicants
 * Profile of Entering Students
 * Optometry Program Admissions Directory


HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY CHANCES OF SUCCESS?

Apply early through OptomCAS. Never wait until application deadlines are
approaching.

Truthfully represent yourself. Honesty is best regarding all aspects of your
application, including the weaker areas.

Visit campus(es). Contact the schools you are interested in and try to visit
each one and develop the personal relationship early in the admissions process.

Understand the admissions requirements. Create a spreadsheet or “cheat sheet”
that includes all of the requirements for the Doctor of Optometry programs
you’re considering.

Gain critical exposure. Gaining exposure to the optometric field can strengthen
your application.

Ask questions. This is an exciting time of exploration and discovery, and the
best way to gather information is to ask plenty of questions.

Follow up. Work with admissions to guide your application through the process.

Present your professional self. Once you are invited to a school to interview,
present the best you by dressing professionally, and be prepared to ask
questions about the school or college.

Decide which school is best for you. Make sure the schools or colleges of
optometry you apply to are a good fit for you.

Take all your prerequisite courses, including a strong background in sciences
and lab experience. Learn More

Find out the optometry requirements and take the OAT, GRE or other accepted
standardized exams. Learn More

Apply to one of the 24 optometry schools and colleges in the U.S. Learn More




Association of Schools and
Colleges of Optometry

Postal address:
143 Rollins Ave #2046
Rockville, MD 20847

Tel: (301) 231-5944
Fax: (301) 770-1828
About ASCO / Contact Us







ASCO | Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
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 * For Faculty & Administrators
   * Professional Development
   * Faculty Directory
   * Data & Reports
   * Optometric Education Leadership Institute
   * Committees, Task Forces, SIGs & Groups
   * International Optometric Education
   * Clinical Preceptors’ Toolkit
   * ASCO Policy Guidelines & Reports
   * Jobs / Careers
   * Graduate Education and Research
   * Career Opportunities for Doctors of Optometry in Academia
   * Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice
 * For Practitioners
   * Jobs / Careers
   * ASCO Inspiring Future ODs Ambassador Program
 * Future Students
   * Resources for Applicants and Advisors
   * ASCO Member Schools and Colleges
   * Associate Member Schools
 * Current Students
   * Graduate Education and Research
   * Residency Programs
 * Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
   * Eye on Diversity Initiative – Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision
     * Speaker Series Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision
   * Diversity and Inclusion Resources
   * Anti-Racism Compiled Resource List
   * ASCO Cultural Competence
   * Optometry Summer Programs
 * Data & Reports
   * Data & Surveys
 * Awards & Grants
   * Resolutions
 * News & Resources
   * Eye on Optometry Blog
   * ASCO News
   * Additional Resources
   * The Journal of Optometric Education
 * About ASCO
   * ASCO Staff Contact Information
   * Executive Committee and Board of Directors
   * Strategic Plan
   * ASCO Code of Ethics and Statement of Values
   * Meetings & Events
 * Thank You Sponsors!

 * QUICK LINKS
   * futureeyedoc.org
   * OptomCAS
   * Optometry Admission Test
   * Optometry Programs Admissions Directory
   * Residency Programs
   * ASCOConnect
   * Meetings & Events
   * Sponsorship Opportunities