Pre-Optometry
Roger Williams University offers individualized advising and guidance for students planning for careers in the health professions after they graduate. Our Pre-Optometry track assists students throughout their undergraduate career and beyond, beginning with course selection and career exploration, continuing with support around gaining required clinical and extracurricular experience, and culminating with 1-1 support through the graduate program application process.
The Pre-Optometry Track at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ is designed to prepare students for entry to all US optometry schools. Students interested in this track will work with the Pre-Health Director to design their program of study to ensure they take the proper prerequisite courses for entry. Students can pursue almost any major for entry into optometry school, although most select at least one major offered through SSNS. Please also make sure to consult with a faculty advisor in your academic area to ensure graduation in a timely manner.
Students will also need to engage in significant experiential learning to be considered a strong applicant. While no two applicants are the same, successful students often participate in research, take leadership roles both on and off campus, and have become familiar with the dental profession by gaining hands-on clinical experience. Students will also take the OAT exam prior to submitting their application.
More detailed information on which Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ courses will be taken to satisfy Pre-Optometry requirements can be found on the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ Pre-Health Bridges site.
What sets Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ Pre-Health apart from other programs?
With the growing need for knowledgeable, empathic healthcare providers, it has never been a better time to consider a career in the health professions. At Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ you will benefit from 1-1 pre-health advising from both experienced faculty and the Director of the Pre-Health program from the moment you step on campus. That support continues through your time at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ and beyond – many applicants nationwide will apply to these graduate programs after the completion of their bachelor’s degree, and alumni support is a key benefit of our program.
Key Components and Advantages of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ Pre-Health Professions Advising
Earn either a B.S. or a B.A. degree in a complementary field of study while completing requirements which prepare students for future graduate and professional programs in the health professions.- Benefit from dedicated advising to ensure that you complete all the necessary requirements for your chosen pre-health program.
- Receive individualized, 1:1 support for career exploration and experiential learning (internships, co-ops, professional shadowing, research opportunities) in health-related fields through our Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD).
- Access faculty advisors with specializations in mental and behavioral health tailored for students interested in Clinical and Counseling Psychology and Social Work.
Pair with Any Major
At Roger Williams University, we have a wide variety of majors in both the natural and social sciences that pair well with a pre-health pathway. Pre-Health students are always encouraged to major in a field that they are passionate about, and then connect with the Pre-Health office to ensure they are taking the proper coursework for their desired field. One of the benefits of an Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ education is the ability to develop your academic plan the way you want, and Pre-Health is no exception!
Did you know that 80% of our graduates leave Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ with more than just one major? Adding a minor or a second major to your academic program is a great way to differentiate yourself amongst other applicants. Given the academic programs that we offer, it is attainable to double-major in areas of study that you are excited about, all while satisfying the appropriate prerequisites for graduate school. You can even create an individualized major with University approval.
Listed are some of the most popular majors for our Pre-Health students, yet all Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ majors can be paired with Pre-Health.
Anthropology + Sociology
Applied Mathematics
Biology
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Marine Biology
Physics
Psychology
Public Health
Academic Support
The health professions are competitive – we want our healthcare providers to know their stuff! Competitive GPAs for most of these programs begin at around 3.5, and many have even higher expectations of their applicants. At Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ we know that all healthcare providers found themselves struggling or overwhelmed with one of their courses, whether it was Organic Chemistry, Calculus or even Creative Writing. At Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ you have access to excellent resources including our prolific Tutoring Center, staffed by over one hundred students and staff whose goal is to help you better understand your material and retain it long-term. At The Tutoring Center a particular emphasis is placed on STEM, and the center is open 6 days a week, including most evenings. Additionally, all Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ faculty have office hours where students are encouraged to drop-in to better understand their coursework.
Experiential Learning
For all health professions schools, prospective students need to not only demonstrate a deep understanding of prerequisite courses, but to also demonstrate that they have an understanding of the professions that they wish to pursue. This happens in a number of ways, but almost always falls into one category: Experiential Learning.
Experiential Learning can take place in a number of different ways. A few activities that successful Pre-Health students have engaged in:
- Shadowing healthcare providers in one’s desired field
- Conducting research, either on-campus or off-campus
- Gaining a professional certification to work hands-on with patients, such as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Engaging in community service work in your college or home community
- Completing an internship, co-op or practicum in one’s desired field
- Participating in high-impact learning opportunities, like the Honors Program or an independent research project
- Taking leadership roles in on-campus organizations and clubs
It’s not expected that applicants to the health professions will have completed all of the activities above, but successful applicants will have engaged substantially outside of the classroom prior to submitting their applications. At Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ, you’ll work with the Pre-Health Program to identify your interests as they relate to the health professions, and collaborate to locate and engage in these experiences. You can also receive assistance from the and the excellent suite of tools that they have for students including workshops, 1-1 advising, Handshake and more!
Work 1-1 With Our Director
Wherever you are in your Pre-Health journey, you'll be able to meet 1-1 with Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ's Director of Pre-Health Programs, Jon Albert. Whether you are a first semester student just learning about the health professions, or a senior preparing their application, the Pre-Health office is open to you!
Jon brings nearly a decade of experience working in higher education and clinical settings to the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±×ÊÁÏ Pre-Health program, and collaborating with students to help them reach their goals is his favorite part of the job.