Program Overview

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Information for Optometry Applicants

The Doctor of Optometry (OD) program at the University of Waterloo requires applicants to complete several steps as part of the application process.

Application Timeline

Applicants must review the Optometry application timeline to be aware of important dates and deadlines. Applications will not be considered if documents are not received by the specified deadlines.

Complete the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)

All applicants must complete the OAT by September 30. The OAT must be written between August 31, 2023, and September 30, 2025. Scores do not have to be received by September 30, but this is the last day to write the OAT for September 2026 admission.

Write the Casper Test

All applicants to the Doctor of Optometry program must complete the Casper online assessment by November 7. Successful completion of Casper is required for admission.

How to Register for Casper

Visit the Acuity Insights website and register to take the Casper test as soon as possible after applying to the Doctor of Optometry program.

Confirm Referees' Availability

Applicants must confirm their referees' availability to submit their reference by December 11, 2025.

Complete Supplementary Information Forms

Approximately three weeks after the application is received, applicants will receive an email outlining the next steps. Several forms must be submitted by the document deadline, which is November 27, 2025.

Tips for Completing Forms

• All prerequisite courses must be accounted for, including courses currently enrolled in or planned for a future term.
• Some institutions include the lab as part of the overall course and do not separate the lab grade from the course grade. If a separate lab grade is not available, indicate N/A for the lab grade.

References

Applicants must provide contact information for two references:

• Optometrist: The supervising optometrist. A minimum of 8 hours of job shadowing with an optometrist is expected.
• Character reference: This can be from employers, supervisors, professors, coaches, or ministers. Relatives are not accepted as referees for either reference type.

Experiences and Accomplishments

Applicants must fill in the applicable sections with relevant details, including:

• Job shadowing or optometry-related work/volunteer experience
• Other work experience
• Volunteer experience and extracurricular activities
• Special training
• Additional accomplishments

English Language Requirements

If the last four years of education have not been taught completely in English, applicants must provide a score from an accepted proficiency test by November 27, 2025.

Submitting Transcripts

For admission consideration, unofficial transcripts must be submitted. Transcripts are required for any and all post-secondary institutions attended. High school transcripts are not required for admission, except in specific cases.

How to Request and Submit Transcripts

Transcripts can be requested through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC), MyCreds, or by uploading an unofficial transcript in the applicant portal account. Official or unofficial documents can also be mailed to the Registrar’s Office.

Communication and Checking Document Status

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all documents have been received. The application checklist in the Waterloo applicant portal can be used to check if required documents have been received.

Casper and OAT Status

Casper test reports will be automatically sent to Waterloo but will not appear in the applicant portal account. OAT submission status will also not appear in the applicant portal account. The status of OAT results can be checked by contacting OAT support directly.

Contacts

For program and administrative information, visit the Optometry website. For questions about the application, forms, and/or references, contact the Registrar's Office admissions team. If accommodations are required for any of Waterloo's admissions tools and procedures, submit a request for special consideration.