Application Requirements
The admissions process may seem daunting at first glance, but with some organization and early planning, the process may be broken down into simple and easy steps. An outline of all of our required materials for admission is given on this page. Any special circumstances and questions about these materials can be discussed with our Admissions staff via our Contact Form.
Here are the specific requirements:
- Online OptomCAS Application
- Berkeley Optometry School-Specific Form (BSSF)
- Supplemental Fee
- Bachelor's Degree
- Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)
- Letter of Recommendations (3)
- Completion of the majority of the prerequisite courses
Online OptomCAS Application
The online OptomCAS application can be found here: http://www.optomcas.org The application cycle opens on July 1, 2014 and will continue to be open until May 2015. You can start your applicant profile as soon as the cycle opens to get a feel of what the application looks like and what Schools and Colleges of Optometry are asking for on their applications.
Berkeley Optometry School-Specific Form (BSSF)
The BSSF is our Berkeley Optometry's supplemental form. The form can be downloaded here. The BSSF simply asks you to provide us information about all your prerequisite courses and to provide the contact information of your Recommendation Letter writers.
Supplemental Fee
We require a supplemental application fee of $50 from all of our applicants. Please send your check in along with your BSSF in one envelope to facilitate our admissions process. Checks should be written out to "UC Regents". Only personal checks, cashier's check, and money orders are accepted.
Bachelor's Degree
While we do not require applicants to major in any particular academic field, we do require all of our incoming students to have completed their baccalaureate degree. This Bachelor's Degree may be a B.A. or a B.S. You do not need to have a Bachelor's degree at the time of application, but this degree must be completed prior to enrolling at Berkeley Optometry.
Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)
The OAT is a required test for all 21 optometry schools in the United States. Much like any standardized test, allow yourself ample time to prepare for and to take the test. We only accept OAT scores received within 2 years of the current application cycle. In other words, OAT scores are only valid from July 1, 2012 to the present. Scores may be sent directly to us through the OptED testing center. Berkeley Optometry's school code is 003847.
Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
We require and only accept 3 letters of recommendations. The letters are to be submitted directly to OptomCAS, which in turn will mail Berkeley Optometry all of your online admission materials. We suggest that LORs be written from academic professors, optometrists, or supervisors, but do not by any means require that the 3 LORs must all come from these individuals.
Completion of Prerequisite Courses
You do not need to have completed all prerequisite courses at the time of application, but these courses are expected to be completed (all for letter grades) by the time of matriculation into Berkeley Optometry. The full list of prerequisites are provided on the next page.
Back: An Introduction to the Admissions Process