PRE-OPTOMETRY at OSHKOSH

Is this career right for me?

Optometry is a rewarding profession that requires a sharp mind and excellent interpersonal skills.  Interests in math and science are highly desirable. At least three years of undergraduate education plus four years of Optometry school are required to earn the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree.  There are several resources you should exploit fully before committing yourself to pre-medical training.

• Contact the UWO Counseling Center for personal guidance and recommendations, understanding that the person you are as a college freshman is not the person you'll be upon entrance to optometry school. 
• Study the web site for the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry at http://www.opted.org.  A great place to start is a pretend conversation between a recruiter and a potential pre-Opto student; go see http://www.opted.org/career_corps_003.cfm.   Also, the FAQ link will take care of every question you might have about optometry school: before, during, and after (go directly to http://www.opted.org/info_faq.cfm).    To see what kinds of grades and exam scores get you into Optometry school, visit http://www.opted.org/info_profile2.cfm.    There are approximately 4 applicants for each seat admitted.
• Take every opportunity to visit with a practicing optometrist and learn about his/her education and career.

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Majors & study plans, and the OAT

Admission to Optometry school requires at least three years (six semesters) of completed undergraduate coursework with a satisfactory GPA (the mean in 2000 was 3.31) plus satisfactory scores on an entrance exam, the OAT.  Not only do some schools actually require a Bachelor's degree, but it is always best to have a back-up plan and thus to declare a major leading to a Bachelor's degree.  Optometry school prerequisites are in line with a Biology or Chemistry major. 

For a quick side-by-side comparison of the undergraduate coursework required by each Optometry school, visit http://www.opted.org/info_profile1.cfm. A sample study plan at UW Oshkosh is also shown below.

For information about the OAT entrance exam, see http://www.opted.org/info_oat.cfm.  It covers biology, chemistry (through organic), and physics, so most students won't be ready to take it until after the Junior year.  Test dates are in February and October.  

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A Sample Study Plan for pre-Optometry Students at UW Oshkosh

This plan is customized to UW Oshkosh based upon recommendations found on the web site of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry.  They say (and we concur):  "Use the following sample undergraduate curriculum only as a guide. Not all the courses listed below may be required by all schools, and some schools may require other courses not included in this sample."

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Optometry Schools

Wisconsin does not have a school of Optometry, but several of the surrounding Midwestern states do.  For a list of all schools of Optometry and links to their web sites, visit: http://www.opted.org/info_links.cfm.  

Some schools require that applicants earn the Bachelor's degree first; for others, this is preferred but not required; still others have no preference.  For a side-by-side comparison, visit http://www.opted.org/info_profile2.cfm.

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Advisors: Who and Where

Advising Office

Dr. Vaughan (Halsey 249, Dept. of Biology, vaughan@uwosh.edu, 424-3076)

Shadow-an-Optometrist: As of Fall 2003, Dr. Mike Czech at the Walmart Optometrist's in Oshkosh is willing to have a student come shadow him in his work!  Contact him there by phone.

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Last Updated on 11/02/05