Doctor of Optometry At the New England College of Optometry

The Doctor of Optometry (OD) program through the New England College of Optometry is available to qualified Stonehill students through a 3+4 pathway. Stonehill students study at Stonehill and then at the New England College of Optometry, with credits earned at the successful completion of optometry school transferring back to Stonehill to satisfy final graduation requirements. It includes early admission and supplemental application fees waived.

Admission is for third-year students (juniors) who have completed at least 3 years of coursework. Students need a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.30 and a minimum science/math GPA of 3.20 at the time of matriculation at NECO. They must earn a 320 or above on the Academic Average on the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) with no OAT sub-score below 290, complete a shadowing experience with a practicing optometrist, submit an OptomCAS application with strong letters of recommendation, and complete a successful interview with NECO.

Third-year students (juniors) who have completed at least 3 years of coursework

• Minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.30 and minimum science/math GPA of 3.20 at the time of matriculation at NECO
• Receive a 320 or above for the Academic Average on the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) with no OAT sub-score below 290
• Demonstrate strong commitment to the field of optometry through a shadowing experience with a practicing optometrist
• Completed and submitted their application to NECO through OptomCAS including strong letters of recommendation from faculty and/or Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee and the optometrist who was shadowed
• A successful interview with NECO is required prior to receiving a final admissions decision

Stonehill Course Requirements: 2 semesters of English (any course with the prefix ENG); 2 semesters of Biology with Lab (BIO 101, BIO 102); 2 semesters of Chemistry with Lab (CHM 113, CHM 232); 2 semesters of Physics with Lab (PHY 101, PHY 102); 1 semester of Organic Chemistry with Lab (CHM 221); 1 semester of Biochemistry (BCH 343); 1 semester of Microbiology (BIO 309); 1 semester of Mathematics (MTH 125); 1 semester of Statistics (BUS 206, ECO 241, HIS 425, MTH 145, MTH 207, POL 310, or PSY 261); 1 semester of Psychology (PSY 101).