Guides / Early Admission and 3+4 Programs
Early Admission and 3+4 Programs
A handful of optometry schools let you secure or fast-track a seat before you finish college. Here is what each program says on its own page, who can enter, and what you'd have to keep up.
Last checked Nov 2, 2026.
The Short Answer
Some programs take students straight out of high school, some start after you enroll in a partner college, and some start after a semester or more of college. All of the ones below set GPA rules you have to keep, and most set an OAT or interview step. A few say the seat is guaranteed, and one says acceptance is not. These are the programs we read, not a complete list. Other schools may have programs we didn't check, so ask the schools you like.
Programs You Can Enter From High School
| Program | How you enter | What you have to keep up | What the page says about the seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry, Dual Acceptance Program | Apply by March 1 of your senior year, get admitted to a partner college as a first-year student, and have at least a 3.20 high school GPA and a 26 ACT or 1250 SAT. Partners: Benedictine, DePaul, Elmhurst, Lake Forest, Lewis and Arizona Christian. | Complete the program's pre-optometry coursework and show service, commitment to optometry and communication skills. | Guarantees entry on completing all requirements, with no OAT or OptomCAS application or fees. |
| Drexel / Pennsylvania College of Optometry, BS+OD Early Assurance | Apply as an incoming first-year Drexel student with at least a 3.5 GPA and a 1300 SAT or 28 ACT, plus an invitation-only optometry essay. | A 3.3 cumulative and science GPA, a minimum OAT of 300 in each section, an interview, a six-month co-op, 25 hours of observation and 50 hours of community service. | An assured path, but the page states that acceptance into the college is not guaranteed. |
| Incarnate Word, 3+4 Direct Admit Track | Qualify on admission to the university with a 3.7 high school GPA and 3.7 math and science GPA, and a B or better in high school pre-calculus. | A 3.75 cumulative and science GPA, 30 credit hours a year, OAT 320 Academic Average and 320 Total Science, an interview, letters, two shadowing experiences and community service. | Meeting these requirements keeps the direct admit scholarships and earns acceptance into the O.D. program. You earn the bachelor's retroactively after the first professional year. |
The Illinois College of Optometry 3+4 page below doesn't mention high school applicants, but its partner-school model means you'd enroll at a partner college first.
Programs You Enter After You Start College
| Program | How you enter | What you have to keep up | What the page says about the seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois College of Optometry, 3+4 | Attend one of eight partner undergraduate colleges and register in the program by the spring of your first year, after meeting your pre-health advisor in the fall. | Most partner colleges require a 3.2 GPA or higher. Meet ICO's course requirements before applying. Students usually take the OAT the summer between the second and third years. | Three years of undergraduate study, then four at ICO, saving a year of undergraduate tuition. The page lists no minimum OAT score. |
| Indiana University, Early Admission | For students seeking admission before finishing a bachelor's degree, with a 3.6 cumulative GPA or higher. | At least 90 credit hours from the school's prerequisite list plus 18 more, with at least 12 at the 300–400 level. | A 3+4 structure that saves a year of tuition. The page gives no deadlines, so use the program page. |
| Ferris State, MCO Early Admission | Enrolled full time for at least one semester past high school graduation with a 3.5 GPA or higher. High school students aren't eligible. Applications are due March 1, and only the first 30 qualified applicants get interviews. | Keep a 3.5 GPA, finish prerequisites with a C or better, score at least 310 on the OAT composite by September 1 of the year before enrolling, and file an OptomCAS application. | Guarantees a seat in the class you prefer and qualify for. If you aren't accepted, you can still apply by the regular route without penalty. |
Assured Admission at Partner Colleges
Pennsylvania College of Optometry lists assured admission agreements with five colleges. The page gives seat counts and tracks: Chestnut Hill College (3 seats, 3+4 or 4+4), Hampton University (10 seats, 4+4 only), Misericordia University (3 seats, 4+4 only), Rosemont College (6 seats, 3+4 or 4+4) and Saint Joseph's University (25 seats, 3+4 or 4+4). It lists no GPA or test rules for these, so ask the partner college's advisor. It also lists a Penn State early assurance program that students apply to after their second year.
How to Weigh a Program
- Read the continuation rules, not just the entry rules. The GPA you must keep for four years is the real commitment.
- Look for the word "guarantee." The pages above differ on whether the seat is guaranteed, and one says it isn't. Ask what happens if you miss a benchmark.
- Compare against the regular route. You can still apply through OptomCAS later. Use compare schools and the cost guide to see what you'd give up by committing early.
- Treat the cost as unknown until the school confirms it. We haven't collected tuition for these tracks, which can differ from the regular program.
New to the idea? Start with Is Optometry for Me?. Already in college? Follow the four-year plan.
Details are from each program's own page, last checked Nov 2, 2026. Requirements, partner lists and cutoffs change, and the pages sometimes leave out dates, so confirm with the program before you plan around one.
Sources
- Midwestern University, CCO Dual Acceptance Program
- Drexel University, BS+OD Early Assurance Program
- Salus University, Pennsylvania College of Optometry assured admission programs
- University of the Incarnate Word, 3+4 Direct Admit Track
- Illinois College of Optometry, 3+4 program
- Indiana University School of Optometry, Early Admission Program
- Ferris State University, MCO Early Admission Program
Requirements and dates change each cycle. Always confirm with each school before you apply.
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