Applying to optometry school can feel overwhelming for many prospective optometry students. With so many resources offering conflicting advice, it’s hard to know where to start. Optometry is an intensive four-year program that demands both academic excellence and unwavering commitment, especially during the first two years when the coursework is most rigorous. This applies to medical schools, dental schools and other healthcare professional schools as well! Given that there are only two optometry schools in Canada and just 23 in the United States, standing out as a strong applicant is essential. In this article, I’ll share how I earned my acceptance into the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry, how my passion for the field developed throughout my undergraduate studies, and the key steps I took to become a competitive applicant.
Building a Strong Academic Background
Optometry requires disciplined study habits and a strong work ethic from the very first day of classes. Throughout my four years of undergraduate study, I made it a priority to cultivate these qualities by consistently managing a full course load each semester. This was particularly important, as programs such as the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science, require applicants to demonstrate the ability to handle a full academic schedule for a minimum of six terms. During my first and second years, I completed many of the prerequisite courses required by most optometry schools across Canada and the United States. I strongly recommend researching these requirements early to plan your coursework strategically. This is especially true for academically demanding subjects such as organic chemistry, physics, and molecular biology. If you are ever uncertain about course scheduling and/or workload, consulting an academic advisor early can be very helpful! For more information on average GPA per school, check out our article Optometry School Statistics.
Gaining Clinical Experience
Developing hands-on clinical experience was essential to becoming a competitive optometry school applicant. Early in my undergraduate studies, I began shadowing optometrists, observing routine eye exams, contact lens fittings, and ocular disease management to ensure I truly saw myself in this field! Keep in mind that many optometry schools require applicants to complete a minimum number of shadowing hours to demonstrate exposure to the profession. So, accumulating these hours not only fulfilled that requirement but also allowed me to understand the day-to-day responsibilities of optometrists and the importance of patient communication and individualized care. To continue building on this foundation, I started working as an optometric assistant in the summer of my second year, where I interacted directly with patients, conducted preliminary testing, and assisted with procedures such as visual field testing and ocular imaging. This role strengthened both my technical skills and my ability to navigate a clinical environment effectively, further demonstrating my readiness for the hands-on nature of optometry school. In my fourth year, I tied these experiences together in my thesis project where I studied a topic I became interested in through examining low vision patients during my time as an optometric assistant. By integrating my clinical observations and practical knowledge into research, I was able to showcase my ability to connect academic learning with real-world optometry applications.
Preparing for the OAT
The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is one of the most important components of the optometry school application process, evaluating your knowledge in biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, quantitative reasoning, and reading comprehension. I dedicated the summer after my third year entirely to OAT preparation, using OATBooster as my primary study resource. While the average OAT score is a 300, I knew that I wanted to score at least a 350+ to set me up for success when applying to the U.S. and Canada. OATBooster provided structured study schedules, detailed video explanations, and realistic practice questions that closely mirrored the actual exam format. I followed a consistent study plan of 6-8 hours a day, dedicating specific days to each subject area. I began with comprehensive content review to strengthen my foundation, then gradually shifted to timed practice tests to build endurance and improve pacing. Regularly reviewing mistakes and revisiting weaker topics helped me reinforce my understanding and refine my test-taking strategy. If you would like more information on how to study for the OAT, check our our articles: How to Study for the OAT, What to Expect on OAT Exam Day, Strategizing Your OAT Test Date, How Is the OAT Scored, What Is a Good OAT Score, When to Reschedule Your OAT, and Retaking the OAT.
While I prepared for the OAT during the summer before my final year, I strongly recommend writing it earlier, ideally in the summer after your second year. Completing the test sooner allows additional time to retake it if necessary!
Planning your Third Year of Undergrad
Your third year of undergraduate studies is one of the most critical stages in preparing for optometry school. In my third year, I continued working at the optometric clinic where I had developed valuable hands-on experience in patient care and clinical procedures. Alongside this, I began studying for the OAT using structured resources, such as OATBooster, to help plan my study schedule and understand the application process in greater depth. I also made a conscious effort to build meaningful connections with my professors, seeking mentorship and future references for my application as I wanted to ensure it was a meaningful and strong letter.
Depending on your readiness, you may choose to apply at the end of your third year, if your prerequisites, OAT score, and experiences are complete. If you are interested in applying, ensure you are familiar with OptomCas which you will use to apply to many American schools! Check out our article on navigating the website: OptomCAS Application Guide. If you are unsure of what school to apply to, check out our article to choose the best optometry school for you!
Planning your Fourth Year of Undergrad
By fourth year, things start to come full circle, you’re finishing up your degree, managing advanced courses, and wrapping up your optometry applications. Personally, I tried to complete my OptomCAS application in early September for American schools (I only applied to NECO), and then focused on my University of Waterloo application, which was due in November. Be sure to check out our article on “How to Write a Personal Statement” to ensure you are presenting yourself as best as possible to the admission committee. I completed my interviews by early January, which felt like such a relief, but my work didn’t stop there. Even though I had a conditional admission, I still had to maintain a strong GPA (both cumulative and science GPA) and continue showing consistency in my academics and extracurriculars even after I accepted my offer to the University of Waterloo.
Is It Hard to Get Into Optometry School?
Getting into optometry school is competitive, but very achievable with early preparation. Schools look for students with a strong GPA (keep in mind that American schools also consider science GPA), solid OAT scores, and meaningful clinical or volunteer experience. Many applicants apply to multiple programs to improve their chances. Optometry schools seek well-rounded candidates who can balance academics with real-world exposure and professionalism. With consistency, preparation, and passion for eye care, you can absolutely stand out as a strong applicant.