Pre-Optometry (advising track)

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Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2021-2022

VCU Student Success

Program description

Students interested in the pre-optometry advising track must be on track to complete all prerequisite coursework, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and be on track to receive a baccalaureate degree by the time of applying to be considered for admission to optometry (OPT) school. Students interested in OPT school should consult with a pre-professional health and STEM career adviser to learn about requirements that are specific to the schools to which they hope to apply.

Students with an interest in preparing for OPT school must declare an academic major and should declare and maintain their pre-optometry advising track. Students do not earn a pre-optometry degree. Students unsure of their academic majors initially should clarify their academic interests through regular conversations with their advisers. Pre-Optometry students are encouraged to major in fields of greatest interest to them. To declare a pre-optometry advising track, please see the Canvas Pre-Professional Health (PPH) Hub.

Career opportunities

Doctors of Optometry (called "ODs" or "optometrists") are the independent primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye. Doctors of Optometry prescribe medications, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, spectacle lenses, contact lenses, and perform certain surgical procedures. Optometrists counsel their patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options that meet their visual needs related to their occupations, avocations, and lifestyle.

Change of major requirements

To change to a different PPH Track, students must complete the PPH Module on the Canvas PPH Hub that corresponds to the new track in which they are interested.

Professional associations and resources

Degree requirements in Bulletin

Preparation for professional studies in optometry

Plan of study in Bulletin

n/a

Requirements

Highest level of math required

MATH 200
STAT 210

Science required

5+ additional science courses

Foreign language requirements

Additional tuition/fees

GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

2.7+ cumulative GPA

Contact information

Department name:

Pre-Professional Health Advising

Building/room location:

Hibbs Hall, First Floor

Phone:

804-827-8648

Email:

preprofadv@vcu.edu

https://rampages.us/preprofadv/

Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):

Monroe Park

Major map

Year 1

Explore

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and choose electives.
Sharpen your study skills in supplemental instruction sessions at the Campus Learning Center.
Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner.
Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
Familiarize yourself with the Canvas PPH Hub.
Required to declare the pre-optometry track, take BIOL/Z 151, CHEM/Z 101, CHEM/Z 102, and MATH 151 or 200.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations.
Participate in RAM CAMP to get a jump start on learning about VCU’s campus community.
Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
If living on campus, connect with your Resident Assistant, attend hall events, and participate in Community Council.
Consider applying to the Honors College.
Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living learning community.
Sign-up for the PPH Newsletter to start learning about opportunities to connect to your community by emailing our office at preprofadv@vcu.edu.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Join RAMmalogues to talk with peers about social identities in the context of acceptance, belonging, and inclusion in life at VCU.
Check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and follow @vcuomsa.
Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs like the Peace Corps Prep Certificate.
Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101.
Explore funding for international opportunities.
Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore study abroad and other nationally competitive scholarship opportunities.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities.
Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
Check Handshake and the Student Opportunity Center for career fairs and other experiential opportunities.
Create a draft resume and meet with a career advisor in VCU Career Services to discuss it.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow to connect with VCU traditions and alumni networking opportunities.
Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
Read as much as possible for fun (not just for class) in newspapers, novels, and magazines, all of which can help improve your reading comprehension score on the OAT.
Required to declare the pre-optometry track, complete the "Pre-Opt Track Declaration Module" on our Canvas PPH Hub.

Year 2

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
Required to declare the pre-optometry track, complete all of BIOL/Z 151, CHEM/Z 101, CHEM/Z 102, and MATH 151 or 200.
Schedule an appointment with your PPH and STEM career advisor on Handshake.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere.
If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association.
Discuss potential service opportunities with your PPH and STEM career advisor to ensure appropriateness for optometry school requirements.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
Volunteer with a vulnerable, under-represented and/or underserved community, focusing on depth of experience instead of breadth and reflecting on the challenges these populations might face with their healthcare.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
Highly recommended is to collect and reflect on your experiences using the Pre-Professional Health Journal on Canvas PPH Hub every semester.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
Consider who you would like to have serve as future letter of recommendation writers, research the number of letters you need, and who can write them; typically, for optometry school, applicants should have at least one letter from a science professor and one from a practicing optometrist.
Review resources at ASCO and begin to develop your own plan for applying and taking the OAT.

Year 3

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
Discuss with your PPH and STEM Career Advisor whether you should apply this year or apply next year and take a gap year; if not taking a gap year, year 4 of the major map must be completed prior to application.
Participate in the Pre-Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) in the spring.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Design a community-engaged research project.
Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
Consider being a mentor to 1st or 2nd year pre-opt students and teach others what you’ve learned from your own pre-optometry journey.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
Volunteer with a vulnerable, under-represented and/or underserved community, continuing your volunteerism to develop long-term relationships and get more involved in the organization.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through InterviewStream or meeting with a career advisor.
Update your ePortfolio.
Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
Look for opportunities at VCU, your place of employment, and/or in your greater community that allow you to apply for a leadership role or assume greater responsibility and to focus on areas that you are passionate about.
Highly recommended is to collect and reflect on your experiences using the Pre-Professional Health Journal on Canvas PPH Hub every semester.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.
Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
Review OAT material, begin studying for the OAT, and plan to incorporate multiple study skills and techniques.
Understand the background check process for your profession and talk with your PPH and STEM career advisor about any concerns.

Year 4

Excel

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
Highly recommended is to schedule an appointment with a PPH and STEM Career Advisor to assess your progress through the application process and discuss gap year options.
Review your true cumulative GPA, science GPA, non-science GPA, grade trends, and semester course difficulty to see a full picture of your academic profile.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps.
Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
Reflect on your own cultural competency and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations based on the Community Connection Competencies in the Pre-Professional Health Journal.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
Highly recommended is to collect and reflect on your experiences using the Pre-Professional Health Journal on Canvas PPH Hub every semester.
Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far and discuss with current or potential mentors like peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, and practicing optometrists.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services.
Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
Review test day information, register, and sit for the OAT then meet with your PPH and STEM Career Advisor to review your OAT score and how it impacts your application competitiveness.
When accepted to a professional healthcare program, make sure to understand the steps to your acceptance including tuition deposits, background check, and traffic rules.

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2021-2022

Pre-Optometry (advising track)

VCU Student Success

Concentration(s):

No concentration

		MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING	GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY	DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY	EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS	PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore	Year 1	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and choose electives. Sharpen your study skills in supplemental instruction sessions at the Campus Learning Center. Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills. Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help. Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner. Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals. Familiarize yourself with the Canvas PPH Hub. Required to declare the pre-optometry track, take BIOL/Z 151, CHEM/Z 101, CHEM/Z 102, and MATH 151 or 200.	Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations. Participate in RAM CAMP to get a jump start on learning about VCU’s campus community. Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks. If living on campus, connect with your Resident Assistant, attend hall events, and participate in Community Council. Consider applying to the Honors College. Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living learning community. Sign-up for the PPH Newsletter to start learning about opportunities to connect to your community by emailing our office at preprofadv@vcu.edu.	Join RAMmalogues to talk with peers about social identities in the context of acceptance, belonging, and inclusion in life at VCU. Check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and follow @vcuomsa. Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs like the Peace Corps Prep Certificate. Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101. Explore funding for international opportunities. Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore study abroad and other nationally competitive scholarship opportunities.	Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists. Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities. Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake. Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader. Check Handshake and the Student Opportunity Center for career fairs and other experiential opportunities. Create a draft resume and meet with a career advisor in VCU Career Services to discuss it.	Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study. Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page. Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow to connect with VCU traditions and alumni networking opportunities. Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future. Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor. Read as much as possible for fun (not just for class) in newspapers, novels, and magazines, all of which can help improve your reading comprehension score on the OAT. Required to declare the pre-optometry track, complete the "Pre-Opt Track Declaration Module" on our Canvas PPH Hub.
Experience	Year 2	Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience. Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes. Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center. Required to declare the pre-optometry track, complete all of BIOL/Z 151, CHEM/Z 101, CHEM/Z 102, and MATH 151 or 200. Schedule an appointment with your PPH and STEM career advisor on Handshake.	Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty. Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit. Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities. Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere. If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association. Discuss potential service opportunities with your PPH and STEM career advisor to ensure appropriateness for optometry school requirements.	Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization. Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses. Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty. Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship. Volunteer with a vulnerable, under-represented and/or underserved community, focusing on depth of experience instead of breadth and reflecting on the challenges these populations might face with their healthcare.	Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field. Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work. Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job. Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio. Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events. Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value. Highly recommended is to collect and reflect on your experiences using the Pre-Professional Health Journal on Canvas PPH Hub every semester.	Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships. Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest. Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation. Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans. Consider who you would like to have serve as future letter of recommendation writers, research the number of letters you need, and who can write them; typically, for optometry school, applicants should have at least one letter from a science professor and one from a practicing optometrist. Review resources at ASCO and begin to develop your own plan for applying and taking the OAT.
Experience	Year 3	See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning. Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning. Discuss with your PPH and STEM Career Advisor whether you should apply this year or apply next year and take a gap year; if not taking a gap year, year 4 of the major map must be completed prior to application. Participate in the Pre-Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) in the spring.	Design a community-engaged research project. Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions. Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship. Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU. Consider being a mentor to 1st or 2nd year pre-opt students and teach others what you’ve learned from your own pre-optometry journey.	Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning. Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer. Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals. Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume. Volunteer with a vulnerable, under-represented and/or underserved community, continuing your volunteerism to develop long-term relationships and get more involved in the organization.	Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through InterviewStream or meeting with a career advisor. Update your ePortfolio. Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience. Look for opportunities at VCU, your place of employment, and/or in your greater community that allow you to apply for a leadership role or assume greater responsibility and to focus on areas that you are passionate about. Highly recommended is to collect and reflect on your experiences using the Pre-Professional Health Journal on Canvas PPH Hub every semester.	Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship. Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility. Review OAT material, begin studying for the OAT, and plan to incorporate multiple study skills and techniques. Understand the background check process for your profession and talk with your PPH and STEM career advisor about any concerns.
Excel	Year 4	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met. Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree. Highly recommended is to schedule an appointment with a PPH and STEM Career Advisor to assess your progress through the application process and discuss gap year options. Review your true cumulative GPA, science GPA, non-science GPA, grade trends, and semester course difficulty to see a full picture of your academic profile.	Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization. Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps. Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.	Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners. Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field. Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations. Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation. Reflect on your own cultural competency and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations based on the Community Connection Competencies in the Pre-Professional Health Journal.	Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers. Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity. Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools. Highly recommended is to collect and reflect on your experiences using the Pre-Professional Health Journal on Canvas PPH Hub every semester. Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far and discuss with current or potential mentors like peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, and practicing optometrists.	Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities. Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation. Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services. Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter. Review test day information, register, and sit for the OAT then meet with your PPH and STEM Career Advisor to review your OAT score and how it impacts your application competitiveness. When accepted to a professional healthcare program, make sure to understand the steps to your acceptance including tuition deposits, background check, and traffic rules.