Doctor of Optometry

While a bachelor’s degree is strongly recommended, some students choose to apply to the Doctor of Optometry program before earning one.

Students who gain early admission to the program enter the School of Optometry—and the job market—a year earlier. They also save money by paying for one less year of an undergraduate education.

Early admission to the Doctor of Optometry program without a bachelor’s degree requires:

• A cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher

• At least 90 college credit hours from the  list of required courses.  Of the 90 credit hours required, at least 12 credits must be at the 300–400 level.

• 18 hours of college credit in the subject areas below.  Up to 10 credit hours may be completed online.

Students who already have a bachelor’s degree with a major in a science field are often fully prepared for admission to the Doctor of Optometry program. Those with degrees in non-science fields may find that additional coursework is needed. Check the prerequisites before you apply.

Indiana University School of Optometry is aware of the disruption in coursework caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While letter grades for coursework are still preferred, we understand the difficulty that this may pose for many, and as such, IUSO will accept Pass/No Pass grading for prerequisite courses for the spring, summer, and fall 2020 semesters.  Online didactic and laboratory credit will be accepted through summer 2021

Please be aware of the following deadlines and important dates to ensure that your application moves forward.

Official score reports for the Optometry Admission Test and/or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must be submitted by March 1.

Effective June 2020: The submission of admission test scores from the OAT or GRE are optional at Indiana University School of Optometry. We believe this puts the power to best tell their academic story in the hands of the student. To learn more, please read the press release from IUSO's previous Dean, Dr. Bonanno or the FAQ's below on the now optional testing.

The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are designed to measure general academic ability and scientific knowledge.  Candidates who wish to submit OAT and/or GRE scores are welcome to do so; we suggest taking either test by November 30.  

OAT scores are valid for three (3) years and there is no limit to the number of times you may take the test.  Note that there is a wait period between testing.  A competitive applicant scores above 300 on all the OAT sections.

Optometry Admission Testing (OAT) Information

GRE scores are valid for five (5) years and there is no limit to the number  of times you may take the test.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Information

OptomCAS is a centralized web-based application service that allows you to file one application that can be sent to multiple optometry programs.

The application requires biographical information, the names of colleges and universities you attended and transcripts from those institutions, your academic course history, as well as a description of work experience, extracurricular activities, and honors.

You must submit three letters of recommendation with your OptomCAS application.  These letters should be written by individuals who can provide an honest assessment of your abilities and character. We require that one letter be written by a science professor with whom you have taken a college level course. The remaining two letters can be from another professor, a work supervisor, a professional optometrist, or a college athletics coach.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses must appear on your official college transcript and show that you received college credit for the courses. If your college or university does not show this information on the official transcript, you must provide a letter, sent directly to us from the registrar’s office of that school, documenting the credit awarded for the AP coursework.

OptomCAS Information and Application

Both the OptomCAS and University Graduate School supplemental application must be submitted before the candidate will be invited to an Admission Day.

The University Graduate School application site is supported by Liaison International, the same company that supports OptomCAS.  This means that your email address and password will work for either site.  Since both websites share the same web design framework, the log-in portal will look very similar to each other. You should see, Welcome to Indiana University Graduate CAS on the top of the page.

This application will put you in consideration for admission to the Doctor of Optometry program and also for financial aid, including scholarships, fellowships, and student loans.  The current University Graduate School supplemental application fee is $70.

Apply to the University Graduate School

Details on what needs to be completed, optional or what can be skipped.

Make sure to select the correct start term/year for the University Graduate School application. For the 2024–2025 application cycle, the start term/year is Fall 2025.

• Personal Information section
  • Release Statement
    • All fields are required
  • Biographic Information
    • All fields are required
  • Contact Information
    • All fields are required
  • Citizenship & Residency Information
    • All fields are required
  • Race & Ethnicity
    • Optional
  • Other Information
    • All fields are required except for the optional Social Security Number for federal financial aid forms.
• Academic History
  • Colleges Attended
    • Required
  • Standardized Tests
    • Skip, but please select, I am not adding any standardized tests box.
    • You do not need to upload your GRE results or submit college transcripts at the time of application submission. You cannot include your OAT results in The University Graduate School supplemental application. OptomCAS is the proper venue if you would like to include the optional OAT and/or GRE results.
      
  • GPA Entries
    • Required
• Supporting Information
  • Achievements
    • Skip
  • Behavior Disclosure
    • Required
  • Documents
    • Skip, but please select, I am not adding any documents box, unless you answered yes to any of the behavior disclosure questions. Then you must add your disclosure document.
• Program Materials
  • Please be sure the program is Optometry, OD. (If not, please go to Add Program and search for Optometry OD for Fall 2025 and add the program.)
    
    • Click on Optometry OD
      • Click on the Questions tab and complete the following:
        • General Academic Questions
          • Answer the four questions
        • Personal Essay
          • Submit a short essay describing why you are applying to the Indiana University School of Optometry
        • Pre-Optometry Requirements for Admission
          • Submit list of courses that you have or will have completed towards the pre-optometry requirements for admission.
• Submit Application
  • Review your application and submit payment or review fee waiver options.
  • You will not be able to submit your application without first processing payment.

International applicants may apply to the Doctor of Optometry program during their final year of undergraduate study or after receiving a U.S. bachelor’s degree (or its recognized equivalent).

Degree equivalencies for international applicants

The Office of International Services reviews all international graduate applications and academic records for U.S. bachelor’s degree equivalency, then sends application packets and an initial evaluation to the appropriate graduate programs for consideration.

International applicants must complete the international application process of the IU Office of International Services.

Application Process for International Graduate Students

Students accepted into the Doctor of Optometry Program at IUSO must submit a final official transcript from your undergraduate institution demonstrating receipt of your undergraduate degree.  You must submit this regardless of what you previously submitted in OptomCAS.  Send your final official transcript to:

Electronic copies of your transcript can be sent to opttrans@iu.edu.  

If you attended any IU campus we can print your transcript for you. 

Some applicants may feel that their admission test scores do not accurately reflect their academic potential. A test-optional admissions policy allows you to choose whether or not your OAT or GRE test scores will be considered as part of your admission review—letting you decide how best to tell your academic story.

In absence of a test score, we will continue a holistic approach to application review.  Continuing to look at all factors of your application including BCP (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) G.P.A., upward grade trends, course load, letters of recommendation, extracurricular and other achievements.

The IUSO application process is test-optional and applicants will be reviewed on the balance of their application. Application will be reviewed upon receipt and invited to an Admissions Day if their criterion meets our standards. Preference will not be given to students who have OAT scores.

If you are an applicant applying for the 2023 terms or forward, you can decide whether to take the GRE or OAT as part of your admission review. The application for the fall 2026 term opens June 30, 2024.

We encourage you to reflect on your overall academic performance with specific attention to your performance in science courses. If you have a strong academic record with an above-average GPA, but do not feel that your test results reflect your full potential, you might choose to apply test-optional. If, however, your test scores may provide additional insight into your overall academic record we invite you to have your test scores considered.  You may add test scores after your application has been submitted.

We evaluate each application holistically and individually and do not have a formula for whether or not you should choose to have your test scores considered. However, we are happy to help you fully consider your options. Feel free to reach out to us at iubopt@indiana.edu or phone 812-855-1917 to set up an appointment to talk with an Associate Director.

Yes. IUSO is committed to making scholarship opportunities available to students who qualify, whether they apply with or without test scores. For both admission and scholarships, it is always better to apply early, as we have limited spots for both.

You are required to meet all other criterion but a test score is no longer required. 

 Please reach out to the Office of Student Administration with any questions you have regarding the application process.

Contact the Office of Student Administration