An optometrist is an eye doctor who examines and treats vision disorders and diseases of the eye and its associated structures.

Routinely, optometrists diagnose vision problems and prescribe glasses and contact lenses. But optometry is much more than just glasses and contact lenses…

It is an optometrist’s responsibility to ensure that each patient’s eyes are healthy and function with vision that is effortless and productive.

Here’s a online flip book that explains the many ways optometrists care for patients:“OK, I’m Interested in Optometry. What Now?“

Knowing where to begin is the hardest part of starting something new; we’re here to help!  To begin the process of discovery, your main goal should be to learn as much as possible about optometry, and especially to make sure optometry is right for you.

Things you can do as a high school student to explore optometry as a career:

• Shadow a local optometrist and ask questions!  Ask them for recommendations or to help you set up other shadowing opportunities with their colleagues.  Tip: be sure to write down your experiences and what you learned – you will enter this data when you apply a few years down the road. Click here for more information about connecting with one of our Alumni for a shadowing opportunity.
• Attend an event to learn more about the profession and optometry school.  Use this link to view this virutal event designed for those who want to learn more  Spring Admissions Open House .
• Get your parents involved with your decision.  Ask them to help you research the profession.
• Talk to your high school counselor and ask for recommendations about making your high school course work tailored to your goal.  This involves taking science and math coursework and considering where you will attend college as a pre-med major (which is the same as being a pre-optometry major).
• There are many undergrad majors that work well for optometry:
  • Biology and chemistry are the first and second choices for undergrad majors because they most naturally include as requirements the same prerequisite course requirements for optometry school
  • Psychology is also a popular undergrad major, being the third most common choice and since daily duties of being a health care provider mostly involve patient interaction, it is a great option
  • Psychobiology or Integrative Biology are undergrad majors that combine psychology and biology, being designed specifically for future health care providers
• Browse SCCO Admissions Blog where you will fine video interviews with current students, articles/videos written by SCCO Student Ambassadors, which will help you to learn more about the profession and what professional grad school is like at SCCO.  Contact an SCCO Student Ambassador to get your personal questions answered. 
• Watch SCCO’s Campus Tour Video 
• To contact the SCCO Admissions,  use ODadmissions@ketchum.edu
• For individualized help or advising, use this link to make an appointment with SCCO Admissions Advising

 Parents are welcome to be part of your discovery process!