Applying to

Optometry
GUIDELINES BASED ON UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
Academic Requirements
The Doctor of Optometry is a second-entry program meaning entrants must complete a compulsory set of university-level courses prior to entering the Optometry program. The list of courses is referred to as the prerequisite courses. These prerequisite courses provide the base of knowledge that the Optometry program subsequently builds upon.

BHSc (Honours) Program

Completion of Prerequisite Courses

Please note; typically, you will begin the application process before you have completed all the prerequisite courses (up to 14 months before the Optometry September start date). You are responsible for completing the remaining courses and having your final transcripts submitted to the School by the May deadline. Courses completed between the end of May and the beginning of September of the year you enter Optometry will not be considered by the Admissions Committee. All of the prerequisites must be completed before entry into the Optometry program. Applicants who have not completed all the prerequisites will not be admitted. There are no exceptions.

MCMASTER UNIVERSITY

Three or More Years of Bachelor of Science Studies

In order to complete these prerequisites, applicants must enrol in a university-level undergraduate Bachelor of Science (BSc) program (for example; biology, biochemistry, biomedical science, or pre-optometry), preferably within a Faculty of Science. Applicants may complete their BSc studies at any accredited university. No preference is given to University of Waterloo BSc students. A minimum of three years of full-time Bachelor of Science studies will be required to complete all of the prerequisite courses along with the BSc requirements. Three years is the equivalent of 30 four-month courses. At the University of Waterloo, that is 15.0 credits. Full-time means 5 courses per four-month term or semester with two terms per year. Helpful information about selecting a BSc program is presented on our Information for High School Students page. Consider a program that you would like to complete should you not be admitted to the Optometry program. Applicants sometimes take the opportunity to complete their Bachelor of Science degree before entering the Optometry program.

Full-time Course Load

Due to the rigorous nature of the full course load of the Optometry program, the Optometry Admissions Committee looks for applicants to be taking a full course load (five courses per fourmonth term) during their BSc studies.

Minimum Overall University Average of 75% (3.0/4.0 or 6.5/9.0 GPA)

The average of all courses you have taken in you BSc studies are included in the overall average calculation. The average is not limited to the prerequisites. Your average must be at least 75%. In recent years, the actual averages of students that have been accepted into the program have ranged from 82% to 94%.

October 2012

Applying to

Optometry
GUIDELINES BASED ON UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
Prerequisite Courses
The following courses are required for entry to the Optometry Program.

BHSc (Honours) Program

Introductory Psychology - 1 term (i.e. HTH SCI 1G03 or PSYCH 1A03) Introductory Ethics - 1 term (i.e. HTH SCI 3L03) English - 1 term (i.e. ENGLISH 1B03) General Biology (with lab) - 2 terms Microbiology - 1 term (i.e. BIOLOGY 3E03 OR HTH SCI 2HH3) Physiology (Human or Mammalian) - 2 terms (i.e. HTH SCI 2F03 AND HTH SCI 2FF3) General Chemistry (with lab) - 1 term (i.e. CHEM 1A03) Biochemistry - 1 term (i.e. BIOCHEM 2A06) Organic Chemistry - 1 term (i.e. CHEM 2OA3) Calculus - 1 term (i.e. MATH 1A03) Statistics - 1 term (i.e. HTH SCI 2A03) Physics (with lab) - 2 terms (i.e. PHYSICS 1B03 AND PHYSICS 1BB3)

The Remaining Non-prerequisite BSc Courses Which courses you take to fulfill the remaining BSc requirements is up to you. Keep in mind that you may not be accepted to Optometry and may want to continue on with your BSc studies. Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) must be completed by all applicants. The OAT is a standardized test administered by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) for all of North America. This test consists of fours parts; a survey of the natural sciences, reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, and physics. Details of the OAT, along with sample questions and application procedures & deadlines, are available in the OAT Examinee Guide on the ASCO site www.opted.org FAST FACTS OAT score minimum: 300 (*if you have a total science or section score below 300, we recommend you re-take the OAT) average OAT score for 2009 UW applicants: 370 Confidential Assessment Forms Youll need to arrange two confidential references (from individuals who are not your relatives) from: An optometrist

MCMASTER UNIVERSITY

An academic - university professor/instructor

Non-academic application sections - In addition to sections for personal identification and academic records, the Application for Admission to the School of Optometry requires additional non-academic information: Academic awards Non-academic awards Work experience Volunteer experience Job shadowing or working with an optometrist

Interview - The final non-academic requirement will be an interview.

Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page on the website. http://www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/prospective/od/faq.html

For Additional Information:

School of Optometry University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 Phone: 519-888-4567 ext.33178 Email: admissions@optometry.uwaterloo.ca Website: http://www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/prospective/

You must investigate with the professional school(s)/program(s) that you are applying to determine what prerequisites are required and ensure that you take the appropriate courses in your undergraduate studies (e.g. through elective courses). Please consult with the BHSc office staff if you require assistance.

October 2012