Timeline of Events in the Admissions Process
The following timeline is applicable for the 2014-2015 application cycle. While the dates are true only to this cycle, it can serve as a rough guideline for future application cycles. Berkeley Optometry is the only optometry school of the 21 optometry schools in the United States to be on the traditional one-deadline track. In other words, we are not on rolling admissions and will only begin to make admission decisions after the deadline has past.
- July 1, 2014: Online applications open on OptomCAS
- December 2, 2014: Deadline for all applications to Berkeley Optometry
- Mid-December 2014 to Mid-January 2015: Application review period for the Admissions Committee
- January 19, 2015: Status updates are sent out/Invitations to Interview Day are sent out
- February 2, 2015: Interview Day
- February 23, 2015: Final admissions status are sent out
- March 31, 2015: Acceptance/Declination of Berkeley Optometry's admission offer due
Preparation Timetable for Admissions
The following timetable is meant as a guide to assist in planning a prospective student's four years in undergraduate studies, if intending to apply for entry into Berkeley Optometry the summer immediately after graduation. For prospective students who have already graduated, you may also use this timetable as a reference and may contact the Admissions and Student Affairs staff (Ask an Advisor) if you have additional questions.
Recommended Preparation:
- Year 1
- Meet with the pre-health advisor
- Investigate health professions of interest
- Now is the time to ask about courses with enrollment limitations, especially those with labs.
- Develop effective study skills to establish a competitive academic record
- Complete first semester coursework successfully. Most optometry schools will need an average GPA of "B" or better.
- Year 2
- Check in with the pre-health advisor
- Participate in pre-health activities with your organizations
- Begin to narrow down health professions
- Contact optometry schools regarding prerequisite requirements. The majority of schools will have information available on their website.
- Complete first semester of second year coursework successfully
- Year 3
- Participate in pre-optometry activities
- Continue to work or volunteer in an optometry-related setting
- Begin to research the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) and prepare for spring or summer administration: OAT
- One recommended source of OAT information is Top Score Pro by Scholarware. You can find out more about their products on their website ScholarWare. Local bookstores and online booksellers also sell OAT study guide materials. Some students may benefit from taking a test preparation course taught by professional services. Others have found the MCAT and DAT practice and study guides beneficial.
- Review required materials and fees for the Optometry Centralized Application Service, OptomCAS
- Visit optometry schools or research when a school representative might be in your area
- Year 4
- Check in with the pre-health advisor to ensure you are on track to graduate
- Continue to work or volunteer in various optometry settings
- Take or re-take the OAT
- October: Register for Berkeley Optometry's Fall Conference, scheduled for Saturday, October 27.
- Complete supplemental application(s)
- December 2: Berkeley Optometry's deadline to submit via OptomCAS, last day to sit for the OAT and submit our supplemental application and fee. We are not on rolling admissions; December 2 is our overall and final deadline.
- Complete first semester year four coursework successfully.
- Please be reminded that Berkeley Optometry does NOT operate on "rolling admissions." Therefore, while there is no competitive advantage to submit an application early, we strongly encourage applicants to allow themselves a two-week lead time prior to our December 2 deadline to ensure all required materials have been received and processed. For example, if an OptomCAS application is submitted in mid-November and our supplemental application is missing, the applicant is informed by our office and has time to submit the required materials.