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Additional Requirements

Letters of Recommendation

The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (OptomCAS) allows for up to four letters of evaluation to be electronically submitted. You should familiarize yourself with the types of letters of evaluation each optometry school requires well before you head into the application cycle. If there are strong preferences of types of letters, it will be indicated. If the school does not give any guidance about the letters they expect, the "model" typically followed by our successful applicants is two hard science professors, one optometrist and another “professional” reference.  

Whom should I ask for a letter?

Individual optometry schools are quite specific in the types of letters of evaluation they expect from applicants. Therefore, it is important for you to be selective in whom you ask to submit letters on your behalf. UGA does not provide a committee letter or composite letter. A summary of letters required and accepted by each optometry school is found here.

While optometry schools will require up to two or three letters, we advise that you submit the maximum four letters of evaluation. One letter must come from an optometrist whom you shadowed. Two letters should come from professors who taught you in class with a letter grade - one from a science professor, and the other could be any professor, preferably from your major. The fourth letter should come from someone you worked closely with, for example, a third professor who taught you, your research mentor, other optometrists or healthcare professionals you have shadowed under, or the supervisor from a job or volunteer position you have held while an undergraduate.

How should I ask for a letter?

When asking for a letter of evaluation, it is important to do so in person. Emailing or calling to set up a meeting or appointment is acceptable but the request should be face to face.  Further, you should schedule an appointment with each of your evaluators by early Spring (no later than May) of the year you wish to apply to optometry school.

Due to the size of UGA, it can be difficult to generate 2-3 strong letters from college faculty who know you very well and can offer significant insight into your character traits and capacity for entering the profession of optometry. Therefore, it is important to provide your evaluators with as much information as possible:

  1. Recent copy of your resume (with picture)
  2. Detailed instructions for how the letter should be submitted (OptomCAS)
  3. Brief statement of your educational goals
  4. Rough draft of your OptomCAS personal statement
  5. Guidelines for how to write a letter of evaluation

Note: Always waive your right to view your letters of evaluation.

How do I submit my letters of evaluation?

You will send your letter requests through the OptomCAS application service so that your evaluators will be able to directly upload their letters into the application system. When you submit the information of your evaluators into your OptomCAS application, the OptomCAS “Messenger” will send that evaluator an email giving a link into your application and a password. Keep in mind that the OptomCAS does not open until early July and will not keep your letters for the next application cycle.

Personal Statement

Writing your personal statement for the OptomCAS application can be daunting. Although most students focus mainly on GPA and OAT scores, the personal statement is a very important component of your application and should be carefully written. This is your opportunity to highlight things about you that are not mentioned in other sections of your application and to distinguish yourself from other applicants.

The OptomCAS essay is limited to  4500 characters. The current essay asks students to "Describe what inspires your decision for becoming an optometrist, including your preparation for training in this profession, your aptitude and motivation, the basis for your interest in optometry, and your future career goals."

Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) Overview

UGA students typically take the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) in the same timeframe as other students take the MCAT or DAT, approximately 15 months before intended professional matriculation. Therefore, the OAT is best taken in late spring or early summer of the junior year if you intend to go to professional school directly after graduation.  

OAT Preparation

Before taking the OAT, you should complete all college coursework in the topics/content of the test. A list of UGA courses advised and recommended by the Pre-Professional Advisement Office may be found in the handout,  Pre-Optometry Quick Facts. 

However, taking these courses is typically not enough to produce a competitive score. You should also spend time reviewing the material tested on the OAT. A complete overview of the OAT, including how to prepare and schedule a test is found in the annually updated OAT Guide. Pay particular attention to the Scope of the Examination section of the OAT Guide. 

Study should be followed by practice in the same format (computer based) and circumstance (timing) of the actual test.  Upon completion of a practice test you must determine what you still need to study. Testing material and resources may be found at www.ada.org/en/oat. Many commercially available materials have computer-based testing, comprehensive score solutions, and diagnostic score reports.   

OAT Registration 

The OAT is given through the Prometric Centers. You must obatain an OATPIN  before registering for the OAT. The OATPIN is a unique personal identifier that helps ensure confidential, secure reporting, transmission, and tracking of test scores and academic data. 

After obtaining your OATPIN, you must submit an application through the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO).  You will receive an email that contains instructions for scheduling your testing appointment after your application has been processed. You should schedule 60 to 90 days before your desired test date.  

We recommend you take a Test Drive through Prometric prior to testing. Taking a test drive will allow you to familiarize yourself with the look and feel of the computer-based testing environment in advance of your exam. This will also minimize pre-test mistakes such as getting lost on the way to the center or failing to arrive with the correct I.D. and paperwork. Preparing for the test experience will help you perform better on test day.  

Competitive Scores 

Want to know how you compare to other students? To see average OAT scores of students entering each school and other data, review the latest Profile of Applicants compiled by ASCO. 

Partial Fee Waiver 

A limited number of partial fee waivers per calendar year are available to OAT examinees, in cases of severe financial hardship. More information is found in the OAT Guide.