In addition to completing the academic prerequisites, applicants must meet the following non-academic requirements. The applicant is responsible for completing these requirements so the results can be submitted to the School's Admissions Office by the deadlines.
For additional help, please check the remainder of the Doctor of Optometry site. If you still have questions, please contact the appropriate resource on the help page.
Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)
The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) must be completed by all applicants. The OAT is a standardized test administered independently by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) for all of North America; it is not administered by the University of Waterloo. 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 or by contacting:
Optometry Admission Testing Program
211 East Chicago Avenue, 6th floor
Chicago, Illinois , U.S.A. 60611-2678
(800) 232-2159 or (312) 440-2693
www.opted.org
This is a computerized test and can be taken at anytime. For September 2012, we will accept OAT scores from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011.
Please note that for September 2013 admission applications, OAT scores must be taken from 2011 to July 31, 2012.
Applicants must ensure that their OAT scores are sent directly to the School of Optometry. The applicant is responsible for allowing enough time to get the OAT results from ASCO to the School. Check the Important Dates page for the deadline.
OAT Fast Facts
- OAT score minimum required: 300
- if you have a total science or section score below 300, we would urge you to re-take the OAT
- average OAT score for 2011 Waterloo Optometry applicants: 370
Q: Do I need to study for the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)?
A: Yes, you should definitely study for the OAT, as it will affect your chances of being admitted to the program. Although the School has no data on the content or efficacy of any test preparation material, we offer a few starting points:
- Test preparation materials and a sample test are available from OAT at www.opted.org
- Study guides are usually available in the UW bookstore and through book suppliers such as Amazon books (Canada), search for “optometry admission test”
- Do a Google search for “optometry admission test” and also look at the “sponsored links”
A note about confidential information
Legislation in the United States allows certain questions regarding race, religion and socioeconomic status to be asked of applicants for admissions tests. Such questions are found in the OAT Candidate Confidential Information Form (which OAT sends after initial application). These questions need not be answered by residents of Ontario since they are prohibited under the Human Rights Code of Ontario. Outside Ontario, check the code in your respective province. The testing service will still process the application if the applicant does not answer all of the questions. The only information that the School of Optometry receives regarding an applicant is his/her name, social insurance number and OAT scores. The Admission Committee is neither aware of, nor affected by, other personal data contained in the OAT application.
Citizenship
You must be a Canadian citizen (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) or legal resident of Canada for a minimum of twelve months prior to the first day of registration of your first term (September) in Optometry. In special situations, a limited number of international students (Waterloo's International Student page) studying on student visas may be considered for admission.
English language requirements
If your first language in not English and you have not studied in an English language school system for the most recent 5 years immediately before you begin your studies in Optometry, you must provide one of the following tests with minimum scores as listed:
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
Full details are on the application page.
Interview
The final non-academic requirement will be an interview. See the interview page.
