Citizenship
Applications are accepted from candidates who are Canadian citizens or from legal residents of Canada who have held Permanent Resident status for at least 12 months prior to registering for the fall term. Proof of Permanent Resident status must accompany the application. In special circumstances a limited number of foreign students (one or two) may be admitted, i.e., those on student authorization.
Prerequisites
Applicants should satisfy the Admissions Committee that they are well prepared academically for entry to the School of Optometry and Vision Science. Successful applicants must have attended university for at least three years (15.0 credits) prior to acceptance into the Doctor of Optometry (OD) program.
The following courses represent the prerequisites for admission to the School of Optometry and Vision Science:
General Biology (with lab) – two terms:
BIOL 130/BIOL 130L Introductory Cell Biology
BIOL 211 Introductory Vertebrate Zoology
General Chemistry (with lab) – one term:
CHEM 120/CHEM 120L Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter/Laboratory
General Physics (with labs) – two terms:
PHYS 111/PHYS 112, PHYS 111L/PHYS 112L, or PHYS 121/PHYS 122, PHYS 121L/PHYS 122L
Calculus – one term:
MATH 127 Calculus 1 for the Sciences
Introductory Psychology – one term:
PSYCH 101 Introductory Psychology
English – one term:
any one term course
Physiology (Human or Mammalian) or (Human Anatomy & Physiology) – two terms:
BIOL 273 Principles of Human Physiology 1
BIOL 373 Principles of Human Physiology 2
Introductory Ethics – one term:
PHIL 110B Introduction to Philosophy: Ethics and Values
PHIL 218J Ethical Theory
PHIL 219J Practical Ethics
PHIL 221 Ethics
PHIL 226 Biomedical Ethics
Organic Chemistry – one term:
CHEM 266 Basic Organic Chemistry1
Microbiology – one term:
BIOL 240 Fundamentals of Microbiology
Biochemistry – one term:
CHEM 237 Introductory Biochemistry
Statistics – one term:
STAT 202 Introductory Statistics for Scientists
Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
The OAT must be written by all applicants.
For September 2018 admission, OAT scores from August 31, 2015 up to and including August 31, 2017 will be accepted. Candidates are responsible to ensure that their OAT scores are sent to the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science. Applications for the OAT are available on-line. All inquiries regarding this test should be addressed to the Optometry Admission Testing Program.
Selection Factors
Applicants are selected on a competitive basis considering scholarships, interest, motivation, general qualifications for the profession, and recommendations.
If selected for an interview, the Admissions Committee uses the following admission criteria:
- Academic requirements
- Undergraduate academic record - academic aptitude and performance
- OAT scores
- Non-academic requirements
- Interviews
- Academic awards
- Non-academic awards
- Work experience
- Volunteer experience
- Extracurricular activities
- Optometry-related experience – job shadowing
- Confidential Assessment Forms (References)
From these requirements, the committee is looking for:
- Work experience and service to the community and university
- Proof of personal qualities such as: leadership, integrity, motivation, initiative, social awareness, and, interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of the responsibilities optometrists have as primary health care providers
All offers of admission are conditional upon successful completion of the current academic year and requirements. Admitted students must maintain their level of academic performance. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to revoke admission to an already admitted student if their academic performance falls below acceptable standards.
Application Procedures
Specific instructions, including deadlines, will be outlined in the application procedures accompanying the Application.
The deadline for receipt of final academic transcripts is May 31 prior to the fall term start.
Application Fee
A $210 non-refundable Optometry application fee must be submitted with the completed online application.
Advanced Standing Offers of Admission
We do not offer advanced standings.
Criminal Record Checks - Vulnerable Sector (CRC)
A CRC will be required for entering students. Continuation in the degree program will be conditional upon completion of an Annual Self-Declaration Form.
Applicants, who are invited to an admissions interview for the Doctor of Optometry program, will be required to provide a Criminal Record Check - Vulnerable Sector (CRC) by January 31 of the academic year of their application. If the CRC or self-declaration indicates a criminal offence or disciplinary action, then the information will be referred to the School of Optometry and Vision Science’s Criminal Record Check Review Committee, who will determine if the record is relevant to enrolment in the program. Applicants who are unsure regarding disclosure are strongly advised to contact the Admissions Officer for advice before submitting their application.
More information about obtaining a CRC can be obtained from the local police agency. Applicants are responsible for paying any costs related to having the CRC sent to the School.
Self-Declaration
Students enrolled in Optometry are required to provide an annual written Self-Declaration regarding any criminal convictions, cautions, or disciplinary proceedings by August 31 before entering years 2 and 3, and by April 1 before entering year 4. This includes minor misdemeanours but not road traffic offences dealt with by way of a fixed penalty notice. Other external clinics may require separate CRC reports. Failure to disclose any relevant information that is revealed subsequently may result in an investigation by the University's Secretariat, and the revocation of the student’s registration in the Doctor of Optometry program.
All information received by the University is treated confidentially, in accordance with applicable privacy legislation.
Required Immunizations
Upon entrance into Optometry, students will be required to submit documentation of up-to-date immunization for measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, tetanus, a tuberculin skin test, and hepatitis B. Students are not allowed to participate in the optometry clinics without this documentation. Students who elect to not have the required immunizations without documented medical reasons or for religious beliefs will not be admitted to the program.
Exemptions
Students granted admission to the first professional year who have taken courses equivalent to those required in the professional program may apply for exemptions from these courses after acceptance into Optometry.