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College of Optometry
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http://optometry.osu.edu
How to Apply
Deadlines
Admission Criteria
Optometry Admission Test(OAT)
Costs/Fees/Deposits
English Language Requirement
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The College of Optometry offers a Doctor of Optometry degree that ranks as one of the top colleges of optometry among the 20 schools and colleges within the United States.
How To Apply
   
  Applications for the Autumn 2012 Optometry Program will be available through OptomCAS until March 31.

The application process for all applicants is initiated through the Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS). Competitive applicants will be invited via email to submit a supplemental application.

  • OptomCAS application: Complete the application at www.optomcas.org.
  • Supplemental application: The link to the online supplemental application will be forwarded via email by the College of Optometry to competitive applicants who apply through OptomCAS and designate The Ohio State University.
  • Letters of recommendation: All letters should be submitted through OptomCAS.

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Deadlines
   
  Applications are available from July 1 to March 31 of the year preceding anticipated enrollment

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Admission Criteria
   
  Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis and early application is strongly recommended. Students are competitively selected based on scholarship, motivation, interest, background, general qualifications for the profession, test scores, and personal interviews.

The College of Optometry considers the following when determining an applicant's admissibility:

  • Completion of three or more years of undergraduate work, with preference given to those with an earned bachelor's degree; more specifically 135 quarter hours of credit in prescribed pre-optometry course work (exclusive of military science, naval science, air force aerospace studies, physical education, or health education) at The Ohio State University, or the equivalent at any other accredited university or college;
  • Completion of all stated prerequisite courses; click on the following link for additional information on prerequisites: http://optometry.osu.edu/futurestudents/requirements.cfm; above-average standing in the listed minimum pre-optometry course requirements. Applicants with cumulative point-hour ratios of 3.00 or higher (4.00=A) will be given first consideration. Performance in courses which are specifically required for admission is particularly important; the overall average GPA of admitted students ranges from 3.4 to 3.7.
  • Completion of the Optometry Admission Test (OAT); average OAT total science scores range from 320-340 for admitted students.
  • Submission of official transcripts for all post secondary-level studies;
  • Completion of a minimum of 10 hours of observation in at least two optometric practices;
  • Personal interview; only those qualified applicants with the strongest credentials will be invited to the College of Optometry for interviews.
  • Letters of recommendation (3) including one from an optometrist who knows the applicant; one from a professor who knows the applicant's academic performance, and one personal evaluation from a person of the applicant's choice.

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Optometry Admission Test(OAT)
   
  All applicants are required to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) which is available in a computer-based version with frequent test dates offered throughout the year. The OAT is offered at Prometric Learning Centers. Students must take the OAT by the application deadline of March 31. Test scores are good for two years. Please visit the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry website for more details.

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Costs/Fees/Deposits
   
  Costs

Please view the College of Optometry Cost of Attendance page to review a tuition and budget breakdown.


Supplemental application fee (non refundable)

  • Domestic - $60
  • International - $70


Acceptance fee (non refundable)

  • $25 acceptance fee is required upon admission.


Deposit

  • A tuition deposit of $475 is required after admission and is credited toward the first quarter tuition payment.

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English Language Requirement
   
  International applicants from non-English speaking countries are required to fulfill the TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS requirement. If your native language is not English, you should possess a minimum level of English proficiency which is demonstrated by minimum scores as follows:
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
    • 577 (Paper-based test)
    • 90-91 (Internet-based test)
  • OR

  • MELAB (Michigan Language Assessment Battery)
    • 84
  • OR

  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
    • 7.5

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Contact Information
   
  College of Optometry
Office of Student Affair
s
A419 Starling-Loving
338 West 10th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210

Telephone: (614) 292-2647
Fax: (614) 292-7493
Website: http://optometry.osu.edu
Email: admissions@optometry.ohio-state.edu


Professional Admissions Office (Mailing Address)
The Ohio State University
P.O. Box 182003
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2003
Phone: (614) 292-9444
professional@osu.edu

Location:
Student Academic Services Building, 1st Floor
281 West Lane Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210-1132

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Frequently Asked Questions Application Status Contact Us
Updated: 06/30/2011
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