Admission Requirements

We prioritize the review and admission of applications submitted earlier in our rolling admission process, so it is to your advantage to submit your application as soon as possible. All applicants are automatically considered for scholarship with their application. We have a rolling admission process, and the sooner you submit your application, the more favorably you will be considered both for admission and scholarship.

How to Apply

MCPHS participates in the Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS). This is the only application MCPHS accepts for the Doctor of Optometry program.

In addition to a completed OptomCAS application, applicants must submit:

• A recommended minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Official college or university transcripts from all institutions attended (submitted directly to OptomCAS)*
• While there is no requirement that a student must major in a specific area or complete an undergraduate degree, the completion of an undergraduate degree is strongly recommended. In order to be qualified for admission to the Doctor of Optometry program, applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours—the equivalent of three years of college education—prior to matriculation.
• Two letters of recommendation (submitted directly to OptomCAS).
• Official OAT Score Report OR Official GRE Score Report (submitted directly to OptomCAS). Please note that during the COVID-19 pandemic, ETS is temporarily offering a GRE General Test at home option.
• Resume (optional, may be submitted directly to admissions.worcester@mcphs.edu)
• Official AP or CLEP Scores if applicable (transfer credit granted for AP Scores of 4 or 5 and CLEP Score of 50 or higher)
• Proof of English language proficiency if English is not your first language. Language proficiency may be submitted with a score report from the TOEFL, IELTS, or iTEP. For more information on our language proficiency requirements, visit our International Applicants page.

All applicants are eligible to receive merit-based scholarships up to $12,000, renewable each year.

*Official transcripts from non-U.S. secondary schools, colleges, or universities must also be sent to World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Education Credential Evaluators (www.ece.org) for a course-by-course evaluation.

**Canadian students applying through the OPTOM.CAS do not need a foreign credential evaluation.

Prerequisite Requirements:

The following prerequisite courses are required prior to entry at MCPHS. These courses do not need to be completed at the time of application. All courses must be completed by Aug. 1st prior to enrollment in the Doctor of Optometry program at MCPHS. Prerequisite courses must have been completed at a regionally accredited college or university with a grade of C or better. Math and science courses taken more than ten years prior to the anticipated date of matriculation to MCPHS must be approved by MCPHS faculty.

Linked courses are available through the MCPHS School of Professional Studies.

• General Biology I & II with lab (8 credits)
• Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
• General Chemistry I & II with lab (8 credits)
• Organic Chemistry with lab (4 credits)
• Physics I & II with lab (8 credits)
• Calculus (3 credits)
• English (6 credits)
• Psychology (3 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• Biochemistry (3 credits) (strongly recommended but not required)

Students with international coursework must submit a course-by-course evaluation from the World Education Service (WES). Please note that a WES evaluation is not required for applicants for coursework from English-Speaking Canadian universities and colleges.

Application Requirements for Transfer Students

MCPHS University School of Optometry accepts applications from transfer students currently in good academic and disciplinary standing at another optometric institution. Students must submit an OptomCAS application, state a compelling reason for transfer, and present a letter from the Dean of their current program confirming good standing and acknowledging the transfer request. Placement within the program is contingent upon satisfactory completion of courses equivalent to those at MCPHS School of Optometry. MCPHS University School of Optometry does not accept applications for transfer from students who have been dismissed from another program.