University of California Berkeley Optometry

397 Minor Hall Berkeley, California 94720-2020 Phone: 510-642-9537 Fax: 510-643-7111 optometry-admissions@berkeley.edu http://optometry.berkeley.edu

The University of California Berkeley's School of Optometry offers an OD program, along with an MS and PhD in Vision Science. The school offers students in the OD program diversity in training, and students generally average more than 2,500 patient encounters by the time they graduate through on-campus clinics, externships, and outreach programs at several locations. Examples of these are the Meredith W. Morgan University of California Eye Center, Sacramento Society for the Blind, and head Start Screenings outreach program. There is also a summer research project that current students can participate in to experience and find opportunities that exist there.

There is also the Berkeley Optometry Opto-Camp held every year to help prospective students who are unsure of their career experience in the world of optometry. Applicants should be attending a university or junior college, preferably approaching their senior or junior year. Those in the mini-camp are exposed to "in residence" experiences during the 3 day event.

Berkeley Optometry has a class size of around 60 to 66 students per year, and had one of the higher averages for OAT Total Science scores at 356 compared to other optometry schools and also had an overall GPA at 3.40 for students entering the 2011-2012 academic year. The same year there were 254 applicants, 73 accepted candidates, and 66 enrolled students. The school has a record for accepting most students from California as the number of states represented by students was only 7.

Tuition

The fees for the Berkeley Optometry School per semester during the 2011-2012 academic year for residents and non-residents was $14,829.25 and $20,951.75 respectively. The school also estimates the cost of housing, food, books, and other expenses to about $25,332 for 2 semesters. Please check the school for updated and accurate tuition and fees.

Education Requirements

The Berkeley Optometry school requires that applicants have at least a Bachelors degree, and that pre-optometry prerequisites courses in basic science, advanced science, and general education are all met. The school has specific rules on online courses and pass or no pass courses towards meeting the prerequisites.

Admissions Checklist

• School of Optometry Application- OptomCAS
• Essay/Personal Statement
• Official academic transcripts
• OAT Scores
• Letters of recommendation

2011 Entering Class Profile

• Total Applications: 254
• # of Residents Applied: 173
• # of Non-residents Applied:81
• Number of Applicants Accepted: 73
• # of Residents Accepted: 60
• # of Non-residents Accepted:13
• Number of Students Enrolled: 66
• # of Enrolled with Bachelors degree: 66
• # of Males Enrolled: 13
• # of Females Enrolled: 53
• # of States Represented: 7
• Overall Average GPA: 3.40
• Average OAT AA Score: 356
• Average OAT Total Science Score: 349
• Residents 1st Year Tuition and Fees: $29659
• Non-residents 1st Year Tuition and Fees: $41904
• Offers Advanced Standing: No

National Board of Examiners for Optometry Pass Rates

• Part I
• 2011: 90.6%
• 2010: 96.8%
• 2009: 86.7%

• Part II
• 2011: 100%
• 2010: 100%
• 2009: 100%

• Part III
• 2011: 98.3%
• 2010: 100%
• 2009: 100%

Berkeley Optometry Residency

University of California Berkeley Residency in Primary Care - Berkeley, CA

University of California Berkeley Residency in Binocular Vision - Berkeley, CA

University of California Berkeley Residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses - Berkeley, CA

University of California Berkeley Residency in Low Vision Rehabilitation - Berkeley, CA

University of California Berkeley Residency in Ocular Disease - Berkeley, CA

University of California Berkeley Residency in Pediatric Optometry - Berkeley, CA

Affiliated Optometric Residency

Fresno VA Central California Health Care System Primary Care Optometry Residency - Fresno, CA

VA Palo Alto Health Care System Residency in Primary Care/Low Vision Rehabilitation - Palo Alto, CA

San Francisco VA Residency in Primary Care - San Francisco, CA

Reno VA Residency in Primary Care - Reno, NV