Optometry

Shadowing an Optometrist (Required)

• Shadow licensed optometrists in a range of settings:

  • Retail/clinical (e.g., VisionWorks, LensCrafters)

  • Private practice

  • Medical/surgical centers (in partnership with ophthalmologists)

• Keep a detailed log of your hours and reflect on each experience.

• Most optometry schools require 100+ hours of shadowing.

 Clinical or Patient-Facing Experience

• Work or volunteer in any healthcare setting with direct patient interaction.

• Common options:

  • Medical scribe

  • Ophthalmic or optometric technician

  • Healthcare assistant in clinics

 Community Service & Volunteering

• Serve in local or global health outreach events (especially those related to vision care or public health).

• Non-health-related service also helps demonstrate character and compassion.

 Leadership & Student Involvement

• Join Pre-Health student organizations or start a Pre-Optometry club.

• Aim for leadership positions in student orgs, service clubs, or academic groups.

 Seminar in Medicine I & II (Optional but Beneficial)

These 1-credit courses (BSC 1930L and BSC 2930L) help with:

• Writing your personal statement

• Interview prep

• Choosing and communicating with references

 Prepare for the OAT (Optometry Admission Test)

• The OAT covers biology, chemistry, physics, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning.

• Start prepping in your junior year, and plan to take it spring or summer before senior year.

Undergraduate Research (Optional) 

• Not required, but participation in biological research helps develop your scientific reasoning and may strengthen your application.

• Consider BSC 4910C (Research) or BSC 4944C (Internship) as capstone options.