Effective immediately, the submission of test scores from the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) will be optional at the Indiana University School of Optometry for students applying for Fall 2021 enrollment into the Doctor of Optometry program. IU School of Optometry Dean Joseph A. Bonanno, OD, PhD, FAAO, believes this puts the power in the hands of the student, so they may choose how to best tell their academic story.
Recently, many colleges and universities, including Indiana University, have made admissions tests optional. This is a national trend. At IUSO, we have found that admission test scores are becoming a weaker predictor of future academic success. Using a holistic evaluation approach, applicants will still get a rigorous review of their applications.
“We believe the shift to test-optional will provide greater access to our program, for the betterment of IUSO, the optometric profession, and patients nationally,” said Dr. Bonanno.
IUSO will make the GRE and OAT admission tests optional for Doctor of Optometry program applicants for the next three years. After that period, IUSO administration will evaluate as to whether the applicant pool has changed or there has been any effect on academic progress.
IUSO prides itself on developing personal bonds with its students and caring for the individual as they pursue their degree. “As the school recruits new students and reviews their applications, we believe we can look beyond the test score and identify academically-qualified, hard-working, passionate individuals who will strive for excellence in our program,” said Dr. Bonanno. “We’re prepared to push our holistic application review process even further to identify the next bright minds for optometry.”
Joseph A. Bonanno, OD, PhD
Dean and Professor, IU School of Optometry
Am an optometrist from Nigeria with, Doctor of optometry degree from Ghana and BSc. Optom from India. Is the GRE optional for PhD program.
Hello,
Yes, you can apply. We no longer require GRE scores, they are optional. TOEFL scores are required if your native language is not English and your TOEFL score should be no less than 5 years old.
If they have further questions, you can email Jennifer Pemberton at jeeander@indiana.edu.
Best wishes!
Hello Sir. I am an Optometrist, completed my Bachelor in Optometry and Vision Science in 2009, followed by practicing for 9 years,India. Now I am in US, wanted to apply for PhD in Vision science at Bloomington school. I don’t have GRE marks but TOEFL given with marks of 6.0. Can I apply ?
Hello Maumita,
Yes, you can apply. We no longer require GRE scores, they are optional. TOEFL scores are required if your native language is not English and your TOEFL score should be no less than 5 years old.
If they have further questions, you can email Jennifer Pemberton at jeeander@indiana.edu.
Best wishes!
Hello,
I did not do as well as I thought on the OAT but did score average. Would you recommend still submitting my OAT score?
Thanks in advance.
Hi,
Questions regarding admissions and OAT scores can be answered by our Associate Director of Student Administration, Kevin Schmidt. I sent you an email with his contact info.
Best wishes!
Hi, I have a bachelor in Biology from Lebanon. I did IBT TOEFL in 2009, followed by taking many classes in Math, Biology, and Chemistry, in the college in Michigan. I have about 264 credit hours in my transcript. I am interesting in the Optometry program in your college. Do I have to do OAT test? Am I eligible to this program?
Thank you
We are test optional but not test blind. The OAT is not required, but if it is reported to OptomCas, we can see it. The TOEFEL will most likely not be required since you have gone to school in the U.S. but that is determined on a case-by-case basis. Please watch this Zoom session on crafting an application with IUSO,
https://iu.zoom.us/rec/share/0RHZ_y_mcgeWRKMI_UcwclwrbR2RYUIkmCLMcL00uHW5-30IxwOZzNMA1T0rVh5N.K_jHy7LSPKhioCiW.