Posted by Choosing the right optometry school with the easiest admission requirements is a crucial decision that can shape your future in eye care, and also reduce application stress.
It’s important to note that “easier” in this context doesn’t mean compromising the quality of education or growth opportunities.
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What is Optometry?
Optometry is a healthcare profession that examines, and diagnoses vision defects, prescribes and supplies optical aids, and helps patients with disorders like glaucoma and cataracts.
Optometrists also counsel on eye care, supervise exercise programs and help rehabilitate patients with low vision. They are not trained to perform surgery but can use topical therapeutic drugs and systemic drugs in some areas.
There are over 35,141 optometrists currently employed in the US. 74.1% of all optometrists are women, while 25.9% are men.
The median annual wage for optometrists was $125,590 in May 2022.
Optometry Courses
Here are some of the subjects you will learn in a BSc Optometry course:
- Vision science
- Anatomy and physiology of the eye
- Ocular pathology
- Refractive error
- Contact lenses
- Ocular pharmacology
- Ocular instrumentation
- Clinical optometry
List of the Optometry Schools with the Easiest Admission Requirements
Below is a list of the optometry schools with the easiest admission requirements:
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry
- Southern College of Optometry (Memphis, TN)
- University of Houston College of Optometry
- Michigan College of Optometry
- Oklahoma College of Optometry
- Indiana University School of Optometry
- Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University – Glendale (Glendale, AZ)
- Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University
- Illinois College of Optometry
- New England College Of Optometry
- Western University Of Health Sciences
- Nova Southeastern University College Of Optometry
- Pennsylvania College Of Optometry At Salus University
- University Of Missouri-St. Louis College Of Optometry
- University Of The Incarnate Word Rosenberg School Of Optometry
- Northeastern State University Oklahoma College Of Optometry
- Pacific University College Of Optometry
- The Ohio State University College of Optometry
- SUNY State College of Optometry (New York, NY)
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry.
20 Optometry Schools with the Easiest Admission Requirements
1. The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry
- Founded: Founded in 1969 as the first school of optometry in the South.
- Location: Located in Birmingham, Alabama,
- Ranking: Ranked 8th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program, as well as residency and fellowship programs in various specialties. It has a strong research focus and a comprehensive eye care center that serves over 45,000 patients annually.
2. Southern College of Optometry (Memphis, TN)
- Founded: Founded in 1932
- Location: Located in Memphis, Tennessee.
- Ranking: Ranked 11th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program, as well as clinical rotations and externships in different settings.
3. University of Houston College of Optometry
- Founded: Founded in 1952
- Location: Located in Houston, Texas.
- Ranking: Ranked 9th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program and dual degree programs in public health and vision science.
4. Michigan College of Optometry
- Founded: Founded in 1974.
- Location: Located in Big Rapids, Michigan.
- Ranking: Ranked 13th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program and residency programs in various specialties.
5. Oklahoma College of Optometry
- Founded: 1979
- Location: Located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
- Ranking: Ranked 15th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program, as well as externships and residencies in various specialties. It has a focus on rural and tribal eye care and a unique partnership with the Cherokee Nation Health Services.
6. Indiana University School of Optometry
- Founded: Founded in 1952
- Located: Bloomington, Indiana.
- Ranking: Ranked 6th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program and dual degree programs in public health and business administration.
7. Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University – Glendale
- Founded: Founded in 2006
- Location: Located in Glendale, Arizona.
- Ranking: Ranked 16th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program, as well as externships and residencies in various specialties. It has a state-of-the-art campus and equipment, and a large network of clinical sites and partners.
8. Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University
- Founded: 1904
- Location: Located in Fullerton, California.
- Ranking: Ranked 10th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program and dual degree programs in education and vision science. It has a wide range of clinical services and research projects.
9. Illinois College of Optometry
- Founded: Founded in 1872
- Location: Located in Chicago, Illinois, near the downtown medical district
- Ranking: Ranked 12th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program and residency programs in various specialties. It has a comprehensive eye care center and a diverse patient population.
10. New England College of Optometry
- Founded: Founded in 1894.
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts.
- Ranking: Ranked 14th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
Provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program, as well as accelerated, international, and dual-degree programs.
11. Western University of Health Sciences
- Founded: Founded in 2006
- Location: Located in Glendale, Arizona, on the campus of Midwestern University
- Ranking: Ranked 16th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
Provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program, as well as externships and residencies in various specialties.
12. Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
- Founded: Founded in 1989
- Location: Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
- Ranking: Ranked 12th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program and dual degree programs in public health and business administration.
13. Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University
- Founded: Founded in 1919
- Location: Located in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.
- Ranking: Ranked 14th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program and accelerated, international, and dual-degree programs. It has a variety of clinical programs and research opportunities.
14. University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry
- Founded: Founded in 1980
- Location: Located in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Ranking: Ranked 15th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program and residency programs in various specialties.
15. University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry
- Founded: Founded in 2008
- Location: Located in San Antonio, Texas.
- Ranking: Ranked 17th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program, as well as externships and residencies in various specialties.
16. Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry
- Founded: Founded in 1979
- Location: Located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
- Ranking: Ranked 15th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program, as well as externships and residencies in various specialties.
17. Pacific University College of Optometry
- Founded: 1904
- Location: Located in Forest Grove, Oregon.
- Ranking: Ranked 10th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program, as well as dual degree programs in education and vision science.
18. The Ohio State University College of Optometry
- Founded: 1914
- Located: Columbus, Ohio.
- Ranking: Ranked 6th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program and residency programs in multiple specialties.
19. SUNY State College of Optometry (New York, NY)
- Founded: 1971
- Located: midtown Manhattan
- Ranking: Ranked 14th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
The program provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program and accelerated, international, and dual-degree programs. It has a variety of clinical programs and research opportunities.
20. Inter-American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry
- Founded: 1981
- Located: Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
- Ranking: Ranked 17th among optometry schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Financial aid: Offers financial aid through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs
Provides a four-year Doctor of Optometry program, as well as externships and residencies in various specialties.
FAQs on the Optometry Schools with the Easiest Admission Requirements
Can I still get a quality education at schools with easier admission criteria?
Yes, you can receive a quality education at schools with easier admission requirements. These schools often aim to provide comprehensive optometry programs.
How can I find the most up-to-date admission requirements for these schools?
Visit the official websites of the optometry schools you're interested in or contact their admissions offices for the most current admission requirements and application deadlines.
What is the application process like for these schools?
The application process typically involves submitting transcripts, OAT scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Be sure to review each school's specific requirements and deadlines.
Are international students eligible for admission at these schools with easy requirements?
International students may be eligible for admission at some of these schools. Still, there may be additional requirements, such as English language proficiency exams. Check with each school for their international student admission policies.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, some of these schools may offer unique programs or specializations, so it’s important to research individual schools to find the one that aligns with your interests.
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