Guides / Prerequisites
Optometry school prerequisites
Almost every program wants the same core science courses. The differences are in the extras, and those are what trip applicants up.
Last checked Oct 19, 2026.
The core almost everyone requires
- One year of biology with labs
- One year of general chemistry with labs
- One year of physics with labs
- English composition
- College math
There's no required major. Many applicants major in biology, but psychology, health sciences, chemistry and non-science majors all get in, as long as they complete the prerequisites.
Courses that vary by school
| Course | How common | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Organic chemistry | Every school, at least one semester | A few want two semesters with labs. Some accept biochemistry in place of the second semester. |
| Biochemistry | All but about five schools | Some specify the upper-level course if your college offers two levels. |
| Microbiology | Most schools | Several require the lab version. |
| Anatomy and physiology | Most schools | At least one school requires upper-level human biology; an intro A&P course may not count. |
| Calculus | Most schools | Some accept pre-calculus or college algebra instead. |
| Statistics | Most schools | Usually one course. |
| Psychology | Most schools | Usually one introductory course. |
How to check your transcript
- Make a list of the schools you're considering.
- Download ASCO's school-by-school prerequisite chart and each school's own prerequisite page.
- Build a simple grid: courses down the side, schools across the top. Mark each requirement you've met.
- Look for gaps before you apply. Most schools let you finish a few courses after applying, but they must be done before you enroll, and some limit how many can be in progress.
A few rules of thumb
- Grades matter in prerequisites most of all, since they make up your science GPA. Many schools set a minimum grade, often a C, for prerequisite credit.
- AP and community college credit are accepted by many schools, but some want upper-level science taken at a four-year college. Check before you rely on them.
- Online labs are accepted by some schools and not others.
- Take physics before the OAT. It's a full section of the exam.
Sources
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.
- The new federal loan capWhat the $200,000 limit on federal loans means for every school's cost.
- OptomCAS application timelineMonth by month, from the OAT to your first interview, with every school's deadline.