Pre-Optometry - College of General Studies - South Dakota State University


SDSU Home		*Pre-Optometry* Advisor: Greg Heiberger E-Mail: Greg.Heiberger@sdstate.edu College of General Studies Wecota Hall 218 Brookings, SD 57007 (605) 688-4294 Introduction Preparation for Optometry Admission Requirements Application Process Optometry Admission Test Suggested Classes Optometry Schools Useful Links Some of the information below is taken from the ASCO publication – Schools and Colleges of Optometry: Admission Requirements 2005-2006. Introduction The American Optometric Association defines the profession as follows: “Doctors of Optometry are primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures, as well as diagnose related systemic conditions.” The optometrist may choose from a variety of practice settings. These range from solo, associate and group modes to interdisciplinary environments such as hospitals and health maintenance organizations. Many other career opportunities exist for the optometrist including optometric education, research, and health care administration. There are approximately 32,000 practicing optometrists. Optometrists provide the majority of primary vision care. Over half of adults in the United States wear glasses or contact lenses and ninety percent of Americans age 45 and older will require vision correction. Preparation for Optometry There are 17 American colleges of optometry accredited by the Council of Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. A bachelor’s degree is required by three schools and strongly recommended for many of the others. Most students major in the natural sciences in college because the prerequisites for optometry school are science intensive. However, prospective students can major in any degree discipline as long as they complete all of the prerequisites for optometry. Most schools consider an applicant’s exposure to optometry to be of vital importance. Each applicant should become acquainted with at least one optometrist and, if possible, obtain some first-hand experience to see what optometrists do on a daily basis. All schools require a personal interview for admission and exposure to the field is often an interview topic. Admission Requirements The average GPA for successful applicants is 3.5 at some colleges of optometry. Required courses generally include physics, mathematics, English, biological science, anatomy, chemistry and psychology. The SDSU program outlined below will meet the general requirements of most professional schools of optometry and provide a good background for the Optometry Admissions Test. Each optometry college has a specific set of requirements that can be accessed at the websites listed below. Be sure to check with your optometry college of choice for specific undergraduate requirements. Application Process There are three major steps in the application process. These are: Taking the Optometry Admission Test (OAT ) Completing applications for individual schools. There is no centralized application service. Contact schools of interest for application materials. Submitting supplemental materials such as transcripts, letters of recommendation and personal statements. Optometry Admission Test The OAT must be taken by all applicants seeking admission to schools and colleges of optometry. It is designed to measure general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information achieved through university coursework. A changeover from a written to an online OAT is in progress. The last written OAT is in October 2005. The OAT consists of four sections and requires just over a half day to complete. The exam includes: Survey of natural sciences including biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry Reading comprehension Physics Quantitative reasoning Application and preparation materials may be obtained from The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (see below). Suggested SDSU Classes for Pre-Optometry Freshman Year Biol 151-153, General Biology I-II and lab Chem 112-114, General Chemistry I-II and lab Engl 101 Composition I SpCm 101 Fundamentals of Speech Psyc 101 General Psychology Math 102, College Algebra; Math 120, Trigonometry; or Math 121, Calculus for Non-Math Majors; or Math 123, Calculus I Biol 221, Anatomy Sophomore Year Chem 326-328, Organic Chemistry Phys 111 –113 Intro to Physics, Physics I-II and lab Engl 201, Composition II Stat 281, Introduction to Statistics Biol 202, Genetics and Organismal Biology and lab; and Biol 204, Genetics and Cellular Biology and lab Chem 464, Biochemistry Micr 231, General Microbiology and lab Soc 100, Introduction to Sociology Junior-Senior Year Complete requirements for your major Be sure to check course requirements for the optometry college of your choice. Schools & Colleges of Optometry: University of Alabama at Birmingham University of California, Berkeley Southern California College of Optometry Illinois College of Optometry Indiana University The New England College of Optometry Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University University of Missouri-St. Louis State University of New York The Ohio State University Northeastern State University Nova Southeastern University Pacific University Pennsylvania College of Optometry Southern College of Optometry University of Houston Inter American University of Puerto Rico Useful Links: The American Academy of Optometry American Optometric Association The Association of Schools & Colleges of Optometry Council of Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE) National Board of Examiners in Optometry Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEP) SDSU Home

	College of General Studies 1047 Medary Avenue, Box 511 • South Dakota State University • Brookings, SD 57007 605-688-4153 • Fax: 605-688-5631