222 College of Optometry Admissions Requirements NSU’s College of Optometry selects students based on the candidate’s application content, preprofessional academic performance, Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) scores, letters of evaluation, and personal interview. The requirements are summarized below. 1. Minimum of 90 semester hours Prior to matriculation, applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours (30 of which must be taken at a four-year institution) of specified coursework at a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. Only exceptional candidates for admission will be considered without a bachelor’s degree. There is no requirement that a student must have majored in a specific area; however, a background in biological sciences is recommended. The dean is empowered to evaluate the total qualifications of every student and to consider any unusual circumstances. 2. Prerequisite course requirements The college requires the students to earn a grade of 2.0 or better in each of the following required subjects: • calculus—3 semester hours • physics, including laboratory—8 semester hours • biology, including laboratory—8 semester hours • general chemistry, including laboratory—8 semester hours • organic chemistry, including laboratory—4 semester hours • microbiology—3 semester hours • biochemistry—3 semester hours • anatomy/physiology*—3 semester hours • statistics—3 semester hours • psychology—3 semester hours • English (composition, literature)—6 semester hours Note: Upon review of a student’s individual case, the committee on admissions may require additional coursework and testing as a condition of acceptance. * If the combined course is not taken, separate courses in both anatomy and physiology must be taken. 3. Optometry Admission Test All applicants are required to submit official admission test scores (must be no more than two years old from the date of the OptomCAS application submission). While Optometry Admission Test (OAT) scores are preferred, MCAT, PCAT, or DAT scores of no more than two years old are also accepted. Application Process The college participates in the Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS) for the receipt and processing of all applications. OptomCAS takes no part in the selection of students. The Office of Admissions works on a rolling admissions basis. Verified applications are accepted from July 1 to May 1 via the OptomCAS centralized application service. Entering students are admitted to the program for the fall term only. Each applicant must submit a completed application from OptomCAS. Since applications received early in the application cycle will be given priority consideration, it is in the best interest of the prospective student to complete the applications early. Listed below are the necessary steps to complete the application process. The application for admission must be submitted electronically through an interactive, web-based application, which can be accessed at optomcas.org. This application includes • completed OptomCAS application • official transcripts from the registrars of all colleges and universities attended submitted electronically or mailed directly by the college or university • two letters of evaluation, written according to the OptomCAS procedures, submitted electronically or mailed directly to OptomCAS from - one science professor - one optometrist • admission test scores (must be no more than two years old) Admission Test All applicants are required to take an admission test. While the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is preferred, the MCAT, PCAT, or DAT are also accepted. These online examinations evaluate applicants in areas that include quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, biology, general chemistry, physics, and organic chemistry. It can be taken any time by making an appointment with a testing center. Applicants must wait 60 days before repeating test administrations. Optometry Admission Test information is available at • Optometry Admission Test 211 East Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL 60611 Telephone: 800-232-1694 Website: ada.org/oat
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