Admission & Aid

Open All | Close All

•  

  How to Apply

  Complete and submit an Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS) application between June 25, 2026, and May 20, 2027, for admission consideration to the cohort matriculating in Fall 2027.

  ENTER INTO OPTOMCAS

  • Colleges and/or universities attended
  • GPA, coursework and grades (Have your college transcripts available when completing this)
  • Your optometric experience, employment, extracurricular activities and honors/awards.
  • OAT and/or other test scores
  • Letters of recommendation

  All applicants should review the following functional guidelines for didactic and clinical optometric education to ensure compliance with all listed abilities and attributes.

•  

  Admission Requirements

  Courses must be taken from an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university.  

  Required Prerequisite Courses (minimum grade of “C” or better) 

  • General Biology with lab (8 credit hours or 12 quarter hours)
  • General Chemistry with lab (8 credit hours or 12 quarter hours)
  • Organic Chemistry with lab (4 credit hours or 6 quarter hours)
  • General Physics with lab (8 credit hours or 12 quarter hours)
  • Microbiology (3 credit hours or 4.5 quarter hours, lab recommended but not required)
  • English (6 credit hours or 9 quarter hours)
  • Choice of (choose one): 
    • Anatomy (3 credit hours or 4.5 quarter hours) - can be a combined A&P course
    • Physiology (3 credit hours or 4.5 quarter hours) - can be a combined A&P course
    • Biochemistry (3 credit hours or 4.5 quarter hours) 

  All required courses must be completed with a final course grade of “C” or better. 

  Strongly Recommended Courses (minimum grade of “C” or better) 

  • Statistics (3 credit hours or 4.5 quarter hours)
  • Psychology (3 credit hours or 5 quarter hours) 

  Additional Requirements & Policies

  • Pass/Fail grading are generally not accepted for prerequisite courses. Courses taken Pass/Fail after Spring 2020 will be reviewed by the Director of Admissions and may not be accepted.
  • Due to variations in credit hour calculations, applicants from Canadian institutions may submit 6 semester hours (instead of 8) or the equivalent for prerequisite courses.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed within 10 years of the application date. 
•  

  Admission Tests

  The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is the preferred admissions exam for the School of Optometry. Competitive applicants are encouraged to achieve a minimum academic average score of 300, as well as scores of 300 or higher in each section of the exam.

  Official test scores must be submitted directly to OptomCAS. The Office of Admissions may also request unofficial score reports for review purposes.

  In addition to the OAT, the program accepts scores from the MCAT, DAT and PCAT. Applicants submitting these alternative exams should aim for scores at or above the respective exam averages, as scores below the mean may be considered less competitive.

  All standardized test scores must be within three years of the date of application.

•  

  Letters of Recommendation and Shadowing

  A minimum of three letters of recommendation is required and must include:

  • One letter from a science faculty member at the applicant’s undergraduate institution
  • One letter from a practicing, non-relative optometrist
  • One additional letter of the applicant’s choice from one of the following: a non-relative optometrist, science faculty, non-science faculty, pre-health advisor, faculty advisor, healthcare professional or employer. 

  Letters of recommendation should speak to the applicant’s intelligence, integrity, skills, maturity and overall potential for success in the Doctor of Optometry program. All letters must be signed, dated and, whenever possible, submitted on official letterhead.

  Applicants are also required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of on-site shadowing with a practicing, non-relative optometrist. This experience is intended to provide exposure to the field and insight into the professional responsibilities, skills and attributes associated with a career in optometry.

  On the application, shadowing experiences must be clearly listed separately from any paid or compensated optometry-related roles.

•  

  Application Review Process

  The Admissions Committee utilizes a holistic application review process, evaluating each applicant as a complete and well-rounded individual. No single component of the application is weighted more heavily than another; rather, the goal is to assess an applicant’s overall readiness to succeed in the optometry curriculum.

  A competitive and holistic application typically demonstrates strength across the following areas:

  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher in both overall and science coursework
  • Consistent and competitive performance in prerequisite courses
  • Strong performance on a standardized admissions exam (OAT preferred; MCAT, DAT, or PCAT accepted) 
  • At least 10 hours of on-site shadowing with a practicing, non-relative optometrist
  • Compelling letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant’s readiness and potential
  • A thoughtful and well-developed personal statement
  • Meaningful volunteer work and extracurricular involvement
  • Professionalism, communication skills, and overall engagement during the interview process (if invited) 

  The Committee seeks applicants who not only meet academic expectations, but who also demonstrate a genuine understanding of the profession, a commitment to service and the interpersonal skills necessary to thrive in a patient-centered field.

•  

  Candidate Interview

  Competitive applicants will be invited to interview for a seat in the incoming class. Interviews may be conducted either in person or virtually.

  On-campus interview days typically include a brief program presentation, a faculty interview and a campus tour, providing an opportunity to experience our facilities and community firsthand.

  Applicants who interview virtually are encouraged to explore our virtual campus tour and connect with student ambassadors to learn more about their experiences within the program.

  The interview is an important part of the admissions process, allowing the Committee to get to know you beyond what is presented in your application. It is also your opportunity to determine whether Detroit Mercy’s School of Optometry is the right fit for your academic and professional goals. 

•  

  Admissions Decisions

  Applicants can typically expect to receive an update regarding their candidacy within one to two weeks following their interview.

  Possible admissions decisions include:

  • Admit (Standard): Offered to applicants who meet all admissions requirements and are fully prepared to matriculate
  • Admit (Provisional): Extended to applicants with pending coursework or minor outstanding requirements at the time of admission
  • Admit (Conditional): Often granted when a required component - such as an official standardized test score - has not yet been received
  • Waitlist: Assigned when the Committee requires additional context or is awaiting further updates before making a final decision
  • Deny: Issued when an applicant’s overall application and interview interaction do not indicate readiness or fit for success in the program at this time 

  All decisions are sent via email. If accepted, your letter will include next steps to secure a seat in the entering class.

After Acceptance

•  

  Health Standards and Immunization Requirements

  Pre-matriculation Health Standards

  Following acceptance to the Optometry program, students are required to submit a completed physical exam form signed by a physician that indicates the student is medically cleared for enrollment and participation in the program.

  Additionally, the student will be required to submit documented laboratory evidence of the absence of tuberculosis (updated yearly) and proof of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis, and hepatitis B through blood titers of circulating antibodies. See the School of Optometry Policy for Immunizations below for details.

  Medical Exemptions

  The School will consider medical exemptions under certain conditions, such as health circumstances which contraindicate immunization, pregnancy, or participation in a current sequence of immunizations. A written statement from a licensed physician involved in the diagnosis and/or treatment is necessary in all health circumstances.

  School of Optometry Policy for Immunizations

  Risk of Infectious Illnesses

  The University of Detroit Mercy Optometry students, in the course of their clinical/academic duties, may have significant exposure to blood, tissue, secretions, or body fluids of patients potentially containing infective organisms such as Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), Tuberculosis, Varicella, and other infectious diseases. Unintentional punctures of the skin with contaminated instruments or needles sometimes occur despite careful technique. These factors increase student and patient risk of contracting and spreading diseases.

  Vaccination Requirements for Students, Faculty, and Staff at the School of Optometry:

  1. Hepatitis B vaccination verification AND proof of immunity through a blood test: The student must provide proof of the three-injection series AND antibody testing (quantitative titer) which documents sufficient immunity.
  2. Tuberculosis (TB) testing by the PPD (Mantoux) skin test and verification of the results (positive or negative), or a Gold spot test, or a Chest x-ray: Results of a TB test must be submitted each year. If the test is positive, or has been positive in the past, the student will follow the physician’s recommendations for treatment and submit verification that these recommendations are being followed.
  3. Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination verification or proof of immunity to Measles (Rubeola), Mumps and Rubella (German Measles) through a blood test.
  4. Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (Tdap).
  5. Chicken Pox (Varicella).
  6. It is recommended that students are immunized against Influenza annually during flu season.

  Vaccinations and testing can be received at any County Health Department, the University of Detroit Mercy Student Health Center, or through the student’s personal physician. Costs associated with the vaccinations and testing are the responsibility of the student.