How to Apply | Optometry

Important Application Dates for Fall 2025

OptomCAS Application

Official College and University Transcripts

• Official transcripts from every college and university you have attended must be sent directly to OptomCAS
• Review the instructions in the OptomCAS applicant portal link carefully before requesting your transcripts
• Request transcripts early and check your account frequently to ensure your information has been received

Prerequisite Requirements

• Applicants must designate the courses that they have completed or plan to complete to fulfill the prerequisite requirements prior to starting the Doctor of Optometry program in the OptomCAS application
• Applicants can apply with prerequisite courses still in-progress

Letters of Evaluation

• One letter of evaluation from a non-relative optometrist is required
• One letter of evaluation from an instructor who has taught you in a graded course at the college-level is required
  • Applicants who have been out of school for more than 2 years may submit a letter of evaluation from a direct supervisor or laboratory manager in lieu of a college instructor
• Committee letters will be accepted as long as it includes the required letters of evaluation

Essays and Supplemental Questions

• Respond thoughtfully to the essays and supplemental questions for Pacific University College of Optometry within the OptomCAS application
• You may use the optional essay as an opportunity to provide any additional pertinent information (academic, personal or application related) that you think the Admissions Committee should take into consideration while evaluating your application

Optometry Shadowing Hours

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete 10 hours of paid or unpaid observation in multiple settings
• Hours should be listed within the “Experiences” section of the OptomCAS application

Re-applicants

• Re-applicants are required to submit a response for the re-applicant essay question in OptomCAS
• Re-applicants are strongly encouraged to submit new application essays

Essential Functions Document

Applicants must acknowledge that they have reviewed the Essential Functions for Pacific University College of Optometry, OD program and fulfill the Essential Functions.

Test Requirements

• The OAT or GRE is required for all applicants. MCAT, DAT, and Canadian scores are also accepted.
• Pacific University OptomCAS GRE Code: 4571
• The test date must be no earlier than three years prior to the opening of the current OptomCAS session, and the first attempt no later than February 15, 2025 for scores to be valid for Fall 2025 entry.

English Language Proficiency

A satisfactory command of the English language is required for admission to Pacific University, prior to admission. Please note that this requirement applies to all applicants if English is not their native language, including permanent residents and citizens

Valid Proof of English Language Proficiency

The following criteria represent different ways to prove English proficiency for this program.

• Achieving the minimum required official score on the International Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Test scores are valid for 2 years after the test date, but will still be considered valid if the score exceeded the minimum requirement and you have maintained continuous residency in the United States since the exam date.
• Applicants who have earned a bachelor's, master’s, doctorate, or professional degree at an accredited institute where English is the only language of instruction are considered meeting the English proficiency criterion.

Minimum Test Score Requirements

Invalid Proof of English Language Proficiency

The following criteria represent different ways that indicate insufficient English skills to join this program.

• Test score less than Pacific’s minimum requirement
• Test score more than two years old (unless you have lived in the United States since the exam date)
• Institutional TOEFL score from any school except Pacific
• Completion of an English as a Second Language (ESL) program at any school
• Successful completion of English, writing or literature courses at any college or university
• An associate’s degree from a community college in the United States