Guides / Switching to Optometry

Switching to Optometry

Nurses, pre-med and pre-dental students, and people changing careers all apply to optometry school. Here's what carries over, what doesn't, and what each school says about degrees and other tests.

Last checked Nov 2, 2026.

What Carries Over

Most of your science coursework. Optometry asks for the same core as other health programs: a year each of biology, general chemistry and physics with labs, plus English and math. Check your transcript against the prerequisites by school, since the extras differ.
Your degree, whatever it's in. There's no required major.
Your clinical hours, possibly. Paid eye care work counts toward optometry experience, and other healthcare experience may too, but FutureOD hasn't verified which schools count it. Ask each school, and see shadowing and experience.

What Doesn't

The OAT is the standard test. Physics is a full section of it, and quantitative reasoning has its own. Plan study time even if you've taken the MCAT or DAT. See the OAT guide and the study plan.
Optometry letters. Most schools want one from an optometrist, so shadowing before you apply matters. See letters of recommendation.

Other Tests and Degree Rules by School

24 of 25 schools list the MCAT and 23 list the DAT among tests they accept, and 4 require a bachelor's degree outright. Some accept these tests only case by case, so confirm before you skip the OAT. The table is from each school's admissions pages.

School	Bachelor's degree	Other tests accepted
Arizona (Midwestern)	Required	GRE, MCAT, DAT
Berkeley	Required	DAT, MCAT (no GRE)
Chicago (Midwestern)	Preferred	GRE, MCAT, DAT
Detroit Mercy	90+ credits	MCAT, PCAT, DAT
Ferris State (MI)	Preferred	MCAT, DAT
Houston	Required	MCAT, DAT, PCAT, GRE
Illinois College (ICO)	Strongly recommended	DAT, GRE, MCAT case by case
Incarnate Word	Preferred	MCAT, DAT
Indiana	Preferred	MCAT, DAT
MCPHS	Preferred	GRE, MCAT, DAT
New England (NECO)	No	GRE, MCAT, DAT
Nova Southeastern	Preferred	MCAT, DAT
NSU Oklahoma	Preferred	MCAT, DAT
Ohio State	90+ credits; BS preferred	GRE, MCAT, DAT, PCAT
Pacific	No (degree-completion option)	GRE, DAT, MCAT
Pennsylvania (Drexel)	No (90+ credits)	GRE, DAT, MCAT, PCAT
Pikeville (KY)	Preferred	MCAT, DAT
Puerto Rico (IAUPR)	Not required	GRE
Rocky Mountain	Required	DAT, MCAT, GRE, PCAT
SCCO/Ketchum	Recommended	DAT, MCAT
Southern (SCO)	Strongly recommended	GRE, MCAT case by case
SUNY	Highly recommended	GRE, MCAT, DAT, PCAT
UAB	Strongly preferred	MCAT, DAT; others case by case
UMSL	90+ credits; BS preferred	MCAT, DAT, GRE
Western U	Preferred	GRE, MCAT, DAT, PCAT case by case

Each school page links its source.

Steps for a Switcher

List the schools you'd consider and build a prerequisites grid against your transcript.
Finish missing courses. Most schools let you complete a few after you apply, but they must be done before you enroll.
Line up shadowing hours and an optometrist letter writer.
Pick a test: the OAT for every school, or an MCAT or DAT you already have where a school accepts it.
Plan the cycle with the OptomCAS timeline and the application checklist.
Check what you'll borrow with the cost calculator and the federal loan cap guide.

Sources

ASCO, school-specific prerequisites, May 2026
OptomCAS 2026–27 application walkthrough (University of Georgia pre-health advising)
Each school's admissions pages and catalog, checked October 2026 and linked from that school's page

Requirements and dates change each cycle. Always confirm with each school before you apply.

Keep Reading

The OAT, ExplainedWhat's on the Optometry Admission Test, how it's scored, what it costs and the rules for retaking it.
What's a Good OAT Score?Entering-class OAT averages for every school, and what score to aim for.
Which OAT Prep?The main OAT prep options side by side, what they cost, and which one fits your budget and study style.
OAT Study PlanFree 8-week and 12-week OAT schedules, week by week, with what to study for each section.