Doctors of Optometry, through their academic and clinical training, are primary health care providers who diagnose, treat and manage conditions and diseases of the human eye and the visual system. Optometrists are trained to diagnose many systemic diseases. Optometry is an expanding profession that offers rewarding careers to trained professionals. Optometrists work in their own practices or in clinics and hospitals. Some optometrists teach, conduct research, or work in public health facilities.
Application Process
Test Required: OAT (Optometry Admission test)
· Natural Science takes 90 minutes with 100 questions
· Physics takes 60 minutes with 90 questions
· Reading Comprehension takes 60 minutes with 50 questions
· Quantitative Reasoning takes 45 minutes with 40 questions
Applying to an optometry school is a lengthy process, and advanced planning (one year in advance) is important before entering a program. Each optometry school has its own admissions process so it is important to contact each school to determine the admission requirements and application deadlines. While application requirements vary from school to school, most require the following:
· An official transcript
· Application form (each school has its own form)
· Application fee
· Letters of recommendation
· Optometry Admission Test (OAT) scores
· Personal Statement
· An interview
· Demonstrate experience or exposure to the field of optometry
List of Optometry School are listed here
Statistics
At the seventeen schools and colleges of optometry in the United States (including Puerto Rico), there were a total of 5,369 optometry students enrolled during the 2004-2005 academic year.
On a 4.0 scale, the grade point average for the 2004 entering class ranged from a high of 4.0 to a low of 3.05 with a mean of 3.32.
For the 2004-2005 entering class, 62.2% of the body was female and 37.8% was male. In addition, the student body was 60.3% White American, 22.6% Asian American or Pacific Islander, 5.1% Hispanic American, 3.3% African American, 0.60% Native American or Native Alaskan, 6.3% Foreign National and 1.9% Other. - Information provided by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry.
Interview
If the Admissions Committee thinks you have what it takes, they will invite you for an interview. The interview occupies an entire day; one full of mini sessions and a faculty interview.