You are encouraged to meet with a pre-health advisor at least once a semester to discuss options for careers in medicine, opportunities to gain relevant experience, discussing best time to apply, preparation for the OAT, the OptomCAS application, and much more. For more information, schedule an appointment with your advisor.
Overview
Explore Arizona and national health professional school prerequisites, admission requirements, and class profiles
OptomCAS will calculate numerous GPAs. There will be a running total GPA for each academic year that will add all coursework together for an overall total GPA. The GPAs that will be calculated are undergraduate, overall, post baccalaureate, graduate, and GPAs by course subject.
Maintain a high GPA and stay involved with campus clubs/organizations, volunteer opportunities, and clinical experience.
Calculate your science and overall GPA to determine your competitiveness.
Begin an internship and start prepping for the OAT (take the OAT by spring of Junior year).
Apply through OptomCAS one year prior to when you plan to matriculate.
The application usually opens around the end of June.
Optometry schools will then send supplementary applications.
It is important that you are aware of deadlines and complete the supplemental in a timely matter.
Timeline
January-March
Prepare and register for the OAT exam.
April-May
Take the OAT exam, begin to gather letters of recommendation (can submit up to 4).
June-August
OptomCAS will open at the end of June for applicants to submit.
August-December
You may start receiving supplemental applications or be invited to interview during this time. Please be aware that schools will have individual deadlines.
Identify people who know you well and can firmly comment on your ability as an optometry student and future optometrist. Optometry programs may favor having at least 1 letter of recommendation from a practicing optometrist (OD). OptomCAS will allow for up to 4 letters of recommendation to be submitted. Ask in advance and give your letter writers sufficient time to complete and submit. Also, remember to stay in touch with letter writers who you may also ask in the future!
Types of letters
1 STEM faculty
1 Practicing OD
1 Other (STEM faculty, non-STEM faculty, employer, advisor, supervisor, community mentor)
After you submit your OptomCAS
After optometry schools have received your primary AACOMAS application, they may invite you to complete a secondary or supplemental application. It is important that you are aware of deadlines, complete and submit supplemental applications as soon as possible.
Mock interviews
When you receive an interview invitation, schedule a mock interview with Pre-Health Office.
Goals
When you receive an interview invitation, schedule a mock interview with Pre-Health Office.
If waitlisted or rejected, explore post-baccalaureate options or consider taking a gap year.
You are encouraged to meet with a pre-health advisor at least once a semester to discuss options for careers in medicine, opportunities to gain relevant experience, discussing best time to apply, preparation for the OAT, the OptomCAS application, and much more. For more information, schedule an appointment with your advisor.