Prospective Doctor of Optometry Students

Accredited, professional, 4-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree

The University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry offers an accredited, professional, 4 year Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. The School is the only provider of English language instruction of optometry in Canada (the only French language school is the École d'Optométrie at the Université de Montréal).

These pages provide:

• general information about the profession of optometry
• general information about our program
• detailed information about the admission process

For additional help, please first review all the pages of the Prospective Optometry Student site. If you still have questions, contact the appropriate resource from our contact page Need some answers? We’re here to help!

Looking to become an optometrist?

• Optometry as a career:
  • What does an optometrist do?
  • What is the daily routine of an optometrist?
  • Where do optometrists work?

Before our program: information for high school students

The process starts in high school; choosing high school courses and then choosing a university for your optometry prerequisite courses.

• For High School Students: Prerequisites, Choosing a University Science Program, University of Waterloo Options
• Road Map: Brief steps to becoming an OD
• Also see the Waterloo Pre-optometry Club

About our program

After completing the prerequisites, the next stage to becoming a licensed optometrist is to obtain a Doctor of Optometry degree.

• Our program: Highlights, School Culture, and Your Future
• OD program mission, goals and objectives
• Fast facts about the School of Optometry and the program
• Our program courses: Which courses will I take while I'm in the program? Academic standards, the exit exam, and tables of courses
• Our clinics: A list of the clinics were you will practice
• Life @ Waterloo: Living in the city of Waterloo, the University of Waterloo Community, Waterloo Services and Support, and getting to campus
• University of Waterloo's historical rankings in Macleans magazine ...

After our program

Upon graduation from our OD program, candidates are ready to write the certification exams and begin their career practicing optometry.

• After our program: Licensing and jurisprudence exams, finding a place to practice, residencies, and post-graduate options

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Admission requirements

The OD program is a second-entry program meaning entrants require a number of university courses prior to entry. There are also non-academic requirements that must be met.

Academic requirements

• Three or more years of BSc, prerequisite courses, course eligibility, and overall average

Non-academic requirements

• Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), Citizenship, English Language Requirements, Non-academic Application Sections, Interview

Selection process

• Selection criteria
• Profile of past first-year students
• Factors not considered by the admissions committee

Additional considerations

• Deferment and transfer

Financial considerations

• Application Fee, Tuition Fees & Supplies, Housing, Meals, and Other Costs, Financial Aid & Student Awards

The application process

With the academic and non-academic requirements in hand, the prospective optometry student will start by applying to the program on-line the year before you wish to enter. You will then be emailed an Application for Admission to the School of Optometry. Submit the Application and all material directly to the School by the deadlines.

The optometry program begins in September of every year. Start the application process the year before you wish to attend. We encourage you to apply early.

• Step 1: Applying online
• Step 2: Application for admission to the School of Optometry
  • Transcript requirements
• Step 3: Interview
• Important dates and submission deadlines
  • Please note: deadlines are substantially different from previous years.
• FAQ: Frequently asked questions about applying