Future Doctor of Optometry students
After you apply (in OUAC)
You'll get an email with next steps and details about:
- Registering for the CASPER test
- Activating your Quest account
- Notifying your referees
- Completing the Admission Information Form
- English language requirements
- Submitting transcripts
- Communication and checking your document status
- Interview selection and decision timelines
Plan when you will apply
- The Doctor of Optometry is a second-entry program. This means applicants must first complete a compulsory set of university-level courses while studying towards a Bachelor of Science.
- Students can normally begin the application process after their second year of undergraduate studies.
- If admitted after the completion of your third year, you would start optometry and not return to your program.
- Review a typical application timeline, which is normally updated in the spring for the upcoming fall application cycle.
- An application submitted in fall 2024 will be considered for admission to the program for a September 2025 start.
- Learn more about application requirements.
- If you think you may need special accommodations for any of the application requirements, please visit our Special Consideration Request webpage.
- Review the functional guidelines for didactic and clinical optometric education.
Job shadow with an optometrist
- A minimum of 8 hours working and/or volunteering within an optometrist's office is required. Most applicants have many more hours.
Obtain experience in work, volunteer, and extra-curricular activities
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Acquire work and/or volunteer experience to demonstrate your involvement in the workforce and contributing to communities in other ways, particularly in roles where you are required to interact with the public.
Confirm your references
- In the application you will be asked to provide the name and contact information for two referees who are prepared to submit confidential references on your behalf.
- Optometrist reference
- Character reference
- Review the optometry application timeline and communicate the reference form deadline to you referees.
- Your referees will each receive a link to the reference form after you submit your Admission Information Form, so it's important to confirm their availability.
Register and prepare for the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)
- The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) is required for admissions consideration.
- The last day to write the OAT is usually mid-late September, around time applications for the Optometry program open. OAT scores are shared with the admissions team on your behalf.
- OAT scores are valid for approximately two years. You can write the OAT multiple times and the highest valid score will be used. Note: there is a 60-day waiting period before you can re-write the OAT.
- Schedule your test well ahead of time - ideally by early July to ensure you can meet the OAT score deadline, and have an opportunity to write it again if needed.
Maintain your average
- A minimum 75.0% cumulative average is a mandatory admission requirement.
- Grades achieved in every post-secondary course you have taken and all course attempts will be included in the cumulative average.
- Due to the rigorous nature of the Optometry curriculum, applicants must show evidence of taking a full course load during the majority of their undergraduate studies.
- Applicants are encouraged to receive the numeric or letter grade value for all required courses and avoid opting for credit/no credit (CR/NCR) where this is permitted by their home institution.
Create a plan to complete all prerequisite courses
- Applicants admitted into the program for September 2025 must have a plan to complete any remaining prerequisite courses by the end of the winter 2025 term to be considered eligible for consideration.