Doctor of Optometry Program Admissions
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Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or prerequisite courses for the bachelor’s degree completion option in your OD program.
- Prerequisite Coursework: Complete all prerequisite courses as part of your bachelor’s program or to qualify for the bachelor’s degree completion option. Courses may be in progress at the time of application but must be complete before starting the doctor of optometry program.
- GPA: There is no minimum GPA requirement, but a strong academic record is a benefit in the admissions process.
- Observation: Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete 10 hours of observation with an optometrist.
- Professional Recommendations: Your application will include two letters of recommendation, one from a non-relative optometrist and one from a college-level instructor.
- English Proficiency: International students and those whose first language is not English must demonstrate language proficiency.
- Ability to Perform Essential Functions: Applicants must acknowledge that they have reviewed and fulfill the essential functions requirements for Pacific University College of Optometry OD program.
- Completed and Verified Application: Complete an application through the OptomCAS system by Feb. 15. Your application must be verified by March 15, 2025.
- Test Scores: Valid OAT, GRE, DAT or MCAT scores are required. Submit your official scores directly to Pacific University. The GRE Code for the OptomCAS is 4571.
- Interview: Well-qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an online interview as part of the selection process.
The Admissions Committee considers applications' strength and breadth of academic record; exam scores; essay responses; knowledge and motivation for the profession; letters of recommendation; community service, honors and extracurricular activities; and professionalism and communication.
Admission Deadlines
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OAT/GRE/MCAT/DAT Deadline: Feb. 15, 2025
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Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2025
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Application Verification Deadline: March 15, 2025
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Interviews: Through April 2025
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Classes Begin: Late August 2025
How to Apply
- Talk to an Admissions Counselor. Connect with our dedicated optometry admissions counselor to learn more about the OD program. You also can reach out to our student ambassadors to learn what it's like to be a Pacific student.
- Check Your Eligibility. Use the unofficial evaluation form to have your coursework evaluated. Our dedicated admissions counselor will evaluate and send a copy back to you in about two weeks.
- Talk to an Admissions Counselor. Reach out to our dedicated admissions counselor to learn more about Pacific’s OD program and admissions processes.
- Complete Your Application. The Pacific University OD program uses the OptomCAS application system. Your online application will include:
- Official transcripts from every college and university you have attended. Request transcripts early and check your OptomCAS account frequently to ensure your information has been received.
- Letters of evaluation from one non-relative optometrist and one college-level instructor. Applicants who have been out of school for more than two years may submit a letter from a direct supervisor or laboratory manager instead of from a college instructor.
- Essays and supplemental questions within the OptomCAS. The optional essay is an opportunity to provide any additional pertinent information that you think the Admissions Committee should take into consideration.
- Experiences, including any shadowing hours. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete 10 hours of paid or unpaid observation in multiple optometry settings.
- Verification that you have reviewed and fulfilled the required essential functions for the program.
- Scores from the OAT or GRE are required for all applicants. MCAT, DAT and Canadian scores also are accepted. The test date must be no earlier than three yeras prior to the opening of the current OptomCAS session, and the first attempt no later than Feb. 15, 2025, for scores to be valid for Fall 2025 entry.
- Proof of English language proficiency.
- Attend an Interview: Highly qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an interview. The interview allows the selection committee to assess essential skills and traits that may not be reflected in the application. In the interview, consideration is given to knowledge of the profession, motivation toward a career in optometry, ability to think clearly and logically, poise, self-confidence, warmth and verbal expression of ideas. The interview is approximately 30 minutes with two representatives from the College of Optometry.
- Visit Campus: Applicants who are admitted are encouraged to then attend an on-campus welcome day to learn more about the program, meet current students and faculty, and see the campus and surrounding area.
- Complete a Criminal Background Check: Upon acceptance and prior to classes begin, students will undergo a criminal background check. Legal offenses that are reflected in a criminal background check may preclude a student’s ability to enroll in the program or to participate in a rotation, which would be a prerequisite to completion of the program. Because each jurisdiction has control over licensure of optometrists, Pacific University is unable to provide its students with legal advice concerning license restrictions for any given jurisdiction related to results of a criminal background check. Admission into Pacific University’s College of Optometry is not to be interpreted as assurance of acceptance into a required clinical rotation or likelihood of subsequent licensure. For this reason, students who have been convicted of legal offenses are advised to obtain independent legal advice concerning related licensing issues.
- Verify Immunizations: Optometry students must be properly immunized in order to protect the health of themselves as well as their patients. Students will have contact with patients starting in the first year, therefore it is important to be current on all required immunizations. Some immunizations require multiple doses, and some require a titer to test for immunity; getting a head start on this process will make things easier as you start the program.
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Pacific Priority
Contact Us
Julie Carlson | Assistant Director of Graduate and Professional Admissions
503-352-7222 | optadmissions@pacificu.edu