Pre-Optometry
Optometry includes examination, diagnosis and treatment of the eyes and surrounding structures, and the treatment of vision problems. Learn more about the classes and the national exam you need to prepare for an optometry school or college. Also learn information about optometry schools and general information about optometry.
What classes do I need to take?
Each optometry school has different admission requirements. You can find the most current requirements directly from the school or on the optometry schools directory from the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry.
UM-Dearborn pre-requisite courses for Optometry schools in the mid-west region (MI, OH, IL)
What is the national standardized test?
The Optometry Admission Test, OAT, is required by most Optometry Schools. The best way to prepare for the OAT is to do well academically in the pre-requisite courses before studying for the OAT. The OAT comprises a survey of the natural sciences (Biology, Gen Chem, Organic Chem), Reading Comprehension, Physics, Quantitative Reasoning. To be more familiar with the OAT exam, please read and understand the OAT Guide, published each year, on the OAT URL.
What else should I know?
It is important that you learn and incorporate the Association of American Medical Colleges Core Competencies for Entering Medical Students in your pre-requisite courses and extra-curricular activities. Please value the professional skills and have demonstrated experiences in them to showcase in your application.
More information, such as what you should major in or how to handle repeats or withdrawals at UM-Dearborn, can be found in our FAQ section.