Pre-Optometry Program Graceland University

Students interested in pursuing a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree should major in Biology or Chemistry (with a Biology minor). For the best preparation, we recommend a double major in both Biology and Chemistry. Students should review the admissions requirements for the professional schools of their choice.

During the summers of their freshman and sophomore year, students should consider shadowing or volunteering experiences at local hospitals, clinics, or private practices to gain practical experience. Some programs require clinical hours. During the summer of their junior year, students should participate in internships. Most students take the MCAT (medicine) exam early spring of the year they will apply. Most applications open in early summer and are rolling applications. Competitive applicants will submit their applications within a week or two of the application opening. Many programs have centralized application processes that include: AMCAS (medicine), AADSAS (dentistry), OptomCAS (optometry), and CASPA (PA). Students are encouraged to research individual program requirements early to ensure they can be incorporated into their schedules.

We recommend that students complete the following courses (along with the requirements for a major in Biology, Chemistry, or both) for preparation for admission and success in medical school:

• BIOL2360 Microbiology
• BIOL3310 Molecular Genetics
• BIOL3420 Human Anatomy
• BIOL3440 Human Physiology
• BIOL4460 Cell and Cancer Biology
• BIOL4400 Immunology
• BIOL4310 Biochemistry
• MATH1370 Statistics for Sciences
• MATH1510 Calculus I