SEE THE WHOLE PATIENT, SEE YOUR PATH FORWARD
Doctors of Optometry are primary eye care professionals who evaluate, diagnose, treat and manage conditions affecting the visual system—while also spotting systemic diseases that show up first in ocular health. Most students entering optometry school hold a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, and Ripon’s pre-health advising helps you build the foundation optometry programs expect.
WHAT OPTOMETRY PROGRAMS ARE LOOKING FOR
Admission requirements differ from school to school, so it’s important to confirm specifics with the programs you plan to apply to. Most optometry programs evaluate:
- Undergraduate grade point average
- Optometry Admission Test (OAT) scores
- Undergraduate degree and coursework
- Knowledge of the profession
- Letters of reference
- A successful interview
BUILD THE RIGHT FOUNDATION*
Interested students should plan around a broad science foundation, with room for math and social science. Your core coursework:
- Biology — Molecules, Cells & Genes (BIO 123); Human Anatomy & Physiology (BIO 211, 312); Cell & Molecular Biology (BIO 266); Genetics (BIO 219); Microbiology (BIO 314)
- Chemistry — Structures & Reactivity/Inorganic Chemistry (CHM 112), Organic Chemistry (CHM 111), Biochemistry (CHM 422)
- Physics — General physics (PHY 131, 152/172)
- English — CTL 110
- Psychology — General Psychology (PSC 110)
- Math — Calculus (MTH 201) and Statistics (MTH 120)
- Social Science — Introductory Sociology (SOC 110)
*Requirements vary by institution—always confirm current prerequisites directly with the optometry school you plan to apply to.
MORE PATHS, MORE POSSIBILITY
Ripon’s affiliation with Midwestern University opens the door even wider. Qualified students receive guaranteed interviews at the Arizona College of Optometry (AZCOPT) and the Chicago College of Optometry (CCO).
Ask your HPAC advisor how to make the most of it.