University of Waterloo Optometry

Contacts

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

Admission Requirements

General Notes

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

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.

Check out this link for more information: http://www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/prospective/od/academicrequirments.html

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%.

The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)

• The score minimum for application is 300
• The average OAT score for UW applicants (in 2006) was 360.
• Must have been completed and scores sent to UW by December 31st

Check out this link for more information: http://www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/prospective/od/nonacademicreqs.html

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).

Check out this link for more information: http://www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/prospective/od/application.html

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 2008). A limited number of international students studying on student visas may be considered for admission.

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

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.

Admission

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

Deadlines

• The OAT must be completed by December 31st, 2007. *By early February, the Admissions Office must have received all sections, except Section E of the application with processing fee.
• By February 28th, 2008, the School must have received Section E of the application.
• By May 31st, the School must have university transcripts including winter 2008 results; all undergraduate prerequisite courses must be completed.
• Check out this link for more information: http://www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/prospective/od/importantdates.html

Tuition

• Yearly tuition is $9,400 for domestic students for each of the first three years, and $14,100 for the fourth year (in fourth year, students attend three full terms). International students pay $28,400 and $42,600 respectively.
• Based on fall 2006 figures, 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.

Check out this link for more information: http://www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/prospective/od/financial.html

Statistics

• 85 applicants accepted in Fall 2006, although there are spots for 90; about 46% of those who applied were admitted.
• In recent years, the averages of students admitted range from 82% to 94%.