University of Waterloo Optometry

Contacts

Website: http://www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/
Phone: (519) 888-4567 ext. 33178
Admissions e-mail: admissions@optometry.uwaterloo.ca

Admission Requirements

General Notes

• Up to 90 candidates are admitted.
• The only English language optometry program in Canada.

For more information click here

Criteria

Required classes

• 15 one-term undergraduate classes which must include:
  • One term of each Introductory Psychology, Introductory Ethics, English, Microbiology, General Chemistry (with lab), Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Calculus, and Statistics.
  • Two terms of each General Biology (with lab), Physiology (Human or Mammalian), and Physics (with lab).
  • Recommended courses include one term of each Genetics, Human Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, Immunology, Linear Algebra or Geometry or Trigonometry.
• If uncertain that a particular course qualifies as a prerequisite, compare your course descriptions to those provided on the Admissions website.

For more information click: [1]

GPA

• The average of all courses taken since entering university, not just prerequisites, must be at least 75%
  • In recent years, the actual averages of students admitted have ranged from 82% to 94%.

For more information click: [2]

The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)

• The score minimum for application is 300
• The average OAT score for UW applicants (in 2009) was 370.
• For entry into 2010 year, scores from 2008 and 2009 will be accepted.
• Must have been completed and scores sent to UW by December 31st

For more information click: [3]

Other Parts of the Application Form

• Autobiographical sketch
• Essay on a predefined topic
• Two Confidential Assessment Forms (references): One from an optometrist One from an academic contact (a teacher, principal, professor, instructor).
• Application fee of $120.

For more information click: [4]

Citizenship

• You must be a Canadian citizen or legal resident of Canada for a minimum of twelve months prior to the first day of registration of your first term (September ). A limited number of international students studying on student visas may be considered for admission.

For more information click: [5]

English Language Requirements

• If your first language is not English and you have not studied in an English language school system for the most recent 5 years prior to studying in Optometry, you must take one of the following tests with minimum scores listed:
  • TOEFL: Paper-based: 580, or Computer-based: 237, Essay Rating: 4.5 and Test of Spoken English: 45
  • IELTS: 7.0
  • MELAB: 85

For more information click: [6]

Interview

• The Admissions Committee will only conduct interviews in some cases; either the School in Waterloo, or in various provinces as determined each year. Not being granted an interview does not adversely affect your chance of being admitted to Optometry.

For more information click: [7]

Admission

• The OUAC will begin accepting non-UW applications in mid-October 2007. Admissions decisions will be made by early June 2008.

Deadlines

• September 25th, 2009- online application deadline.
• The OAT must be completed by December 31st, 2009. *By January 31st, all sections of the applications must be submitted.

For more information click: [8]

Tuition

• Yearly tuition is $10,200 for domestic students for each of the first three years, and $15,000 for the fourth year (in fourth year, students attend three full terms). International students pay $29,800 and $44,700 respectively.
• Domestic students spend roughly $24,000 per year.
• Although equipment and textbook costs may seem high, you are purchasing the core set of professional equipment and reference material you will take you with into your practice.
• A number of scholarships, bursaries, and awards are available for the Optometry program; contact the Admissions office for details.

For more information click: [9]