Apply

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

Jan 31
Submit your OptomCAS application

Mar 01
Submit additional required OptomCAS information, including letters of recommendation, optional OAT/GRE score reports, and transcripts

Oct 01
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application period opens

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
• Take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT)

We recommend that you complete at least Physics 1 prior to taking the examination

• 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 30-400 level.
• 18 hours of college credit in the subject areas below.  Up to 10 credit hours may be completed online.

Course requirements

     Subject areas                            Minimum credit hours

     Arts and humanities                  6
     (at least two courses)*

     Foreign language                       6
     (at least two courses)**

     Social and historical studies    6
     (at least two courses)*

** This requirement for an IU Bachelor of Science in Optometry may be met by placement examination. Students who have completed two or more years of a single foreign language in high school with an average grade of C or above, or have completed a bachelor’s degree at another institution, are exempt from this requirement. (Note: Variation exists among academic divisions of the university in basic foreign language requirements and exemption policies. Consult the appropriate bulletin for foreign language requirements.)

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

Official score reports for the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) must be submitted by March 1. We suggest taking the test by November 30.

The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is designed to measure general academic ability and scientific knowledge and is required for admission to Indiana University School of Optometry.

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 OAT sections.

Optometry Admission Testing (OAT) 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

After you complete your OptomCAS application, you will receive an email with an invitation to complete the University Graduate School supplemental application.  The University Graduate School supplemental application fee is $70, and completing this application places you in consideration for admission to the Doctor of Optometry program and for scholarships and fellowships.

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

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:

     Indiana University School of Optometry
     ATTN: Anita Cole
     Office of Student Administration
     800 E. Atwater Avenue
     Bloomington, IN 47405-3680

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.