Pre-optometry advising and optometry school admissions.
Guidance from practicing optometrists, side by side with our physicians, from your first shadowing hours to your OD acceptance.
Pathways / Pre-Optometry
How optometry school admissions works.
The application
Most U.S. optometry schools use OptomCAS.
The OAT
The Optometry Admission Test covers biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning.
Experience
Schools look for time shadowing optometrists, ideally in more than one setting, such as private practice and medical or specialty eye care.
Applying from Utah or Idaho
There's no optometry school in Utah or Idaho, so students apply out of state. We help you build a list that fits and look into regional programs that may support residents of your state.
Requirements, tests, and dates vary by program and change from cycle to cycle. We confirm current requirements for every program on your list.
Everything we help with.
Academics
- Prerequisite planning, including physics
- GPA strategy and grade repair
- Tutoring for any course
- Study systems and time management
Experience
- Shadowing in private practice, retail, and medical settings
- Optometric technician roles
- Service and leadership
The OAT
- When to test
- Personalized study plans
- OAT Bootcamp and one-on-one tutoring
- Retake strategy
Your story
- Why optometry
- Personal statement coaching
- Experience descriptions
- Letters of recommendation, including from optometrists
Applications
- School list strategy
- OptomCAS application
- School-specific supplementals
- Timelines
Interviews & decisions
- Mock interviews with an optometrist
- MMI practice
- Waitlist strategy
- Comparing offers and cost
Need something that isn't listed? Ask. If we don't do it ourselves, we'll help you find someone who does.
Led by people who do this work.
Your Pre-Optometry plan is led by practicing optometrists who know the OAT, OptomCAS, and optometry interviews firsthand, working side by side with our physicians. You get one lead advisor who knows your whole file and a team that checks in, celebrates the wins, and steps in fast when something goes sideways.
We work with you online everywhere in the U.S., and in person in Utah and Idaho. There's no optometry school in Utah or Idaho, so every student applies out of state. We help you choose schools that fit your goals, budget, and where you want to practice.
Specialist profiles coming soon.
Pre-Optometry packages at a glance.
Basecamp
$1,750
or $438/mo × 4, interest‑free
Strategy, program list, your OptomCAS application, personal statement, and one mock interview.
Ridge
$2,950
or $738/mo × 4, interest‑free
Adds supplementals for up to 8 programs, 3 mock interviews, MMI prep, and waitlist strategy.
Summit
$4,450
or $1,113/mo × 4, interest‑free
Unlimited supplementals and mock interviews, weekly check-ins, and 10 hours of OAT tutoring.
Packages, side by side.
Each level builds on the one before it.
Swipe sideways to compare all three packages.
| Basecamp$1,750or $438/mo × 4one application cycle | Ridge$2,950or $738/mo × 4one application cycle | Summit$4,450or $1,113/mo × 4one application cycle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free strategy session and in-depth diagnostic | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Program list strategy | Up to 10 programs | Up to 20 programs | Unlimited |
| OptomCAS application | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personal statement coaching, in your own words | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Optometry shadowing and experience | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Letters of recommendation strategy | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| School-specific essays and supplementals | — | Up to 8 programs | Unlimited |
| Mock interviews with an optometrist | 1 | 3 | Unlimited |
| Interview format prep (traditional and MMI) | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| OAT tutoring | — | Study plan | 10 hours |
| Update letters, waitlist, and offer strategy | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Check-ins, in person or by video | Monthly | Every 2 weeks | Weekly |
| Message channel and Ascent Rewards | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ priority |
| Get started | Get started | Get started |
Monthly amounts are 4 interest-free payments, rounded to the nearest dollar; your total always equals the package price. "Unlimited" means as many as you need during your application cycle. Save 5% when you pay in full; longer monthly plans are available through PayPal Pay Later, subject to PayPal's approval.
Programs & memberships.
- The Ascent JourneyYear-round Pre-Optometry membership before you apply: roadmap, course reviews, experience planning, and regular check-ins$1,450/yr or $135/mo
- Strategy ResetFor reapplicants: full review of your past application, a rebuilt plan, and full support for your next cycle$2,950
- OAT BootcampIntensive 8 weeks, in person or online; includes up to $300 in practice resources purchased in your name$1,495
Single services.
Pay only for what you need. Anything you spend on single services counts toward a package if you upgrade within 60 days.
See all 14 single services and prices
- Free strategy session20 minutes, in person or by video$0
- In-depth diagnosticFull review, 90-minute session, written strategy$350
- One-on-one advising sessionFor questions outside a package$175/hr
- Mock interview with an optometristWith written feedback$175 · 3 for $475
- Personal statement coachingFrom first idea to final draft, with unlimited revisions through submission (one cycle)$750
- Experience section reviewOptometry shadowing and experience$495
- Supplemental essay coaching$200 per program · 5 for $850
- Program list strategy$350
- Experience plan and outreachA personal experience plan, plus help reaching out and applying$295
- Update letter or letter of intent$250
- Reapplicant review$450
- OAT tutoringOne-on-one$110/hr · 10 hrs $995
- Academic tutoringAny course, science or non-science, in person or online$75/hr
- Advanced science tutoringOrganic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and upper-level sciences$95/hr
Special situations are our specialty.
- Students retaking the OAT
- Reapplicants
- Low GPA or upward-trend stories
- Career changers
- Students deciding between optometry and medicine
Can't afford this? Apply for a scholarship.
Need-based Ascent Access Scholarships apply to every pathway, from partial discounts to fully covered packages. Learn about financial aid
Pre-Optometry questions.
When should I take the OAT?
Most students test after finishing their core science prerequisites, including physics, and before applying. We set your date around your classes and your target cycle.
Is there an optometry school in Utah or Idaho?
No, so students from both states apply out of state. We help you build a smart list and look into regional programs that may support residents.
How much optometry shadowing do I need?
It varies by school. Variety matters as much as hours, so we help you shadow in more than one setting.
Will you write my personal statement?
No. Every word you submit is your own. We coach, question, structure, and edit, and we never write your essays. Application services ask you to certify that your essays are your own work, and we take that seriously.
Do you guarantee admission?
No. No one can ethically guarantee admission. What we guarantee is a real plan, honest advice, and our full effort.
What if I switch paths?
You stay with us and your plan adapts. Many students move between medicine and other health professions, and we guide every pathway.
What is your refund policy?
For application packages, programs, and memberships, you can request a refund within 14 days of enrolling. We refund what you've paid, minus the value of services already delivered at our single-service prices, and your free strategy session never counts against you. Single services are fully refundable before work begins. Monthly memberships can be canceled anytime before the next billing date. After 14 days, payments are non-refundable, but we'll always work with you to pause or adjust your plan.
More answers in our FAQ. Other pathways: Pre-Med Pre-PA Pre-Dental Pre-Vet Pre-PT Pre-OT Pre-Pharmacy Nursing
Start with a free strategy session.
In 20 minutes, you'll leave with a clearer picture of your path, whether or not you work with us.
Book your free strategy session