Professional Organizations
The American Optometric Association (AOA) is the national professional society for both doctors of optometry and optometry students. The AOA works to set professional standards, to advocate on behalf of the profession, and to promote research and education within the field. It also provides resources for optometry students as well as recent graduates looking for jobs.
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) represents all of the optometry schools in the US and Puerto Rico. It is the central resource for researching optometry programs, preparing for the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), and filling out the OptomCAS application. It also serves as a hub for matching to residency programs.
Other professional organizations include: the Asian American Optometric Society (AAOS), the National Optometric Association (NOA), and Women of Vision. And, be sure to check out UW-Madison Pre-Optometry Club!
Financial Aid
Below are various financial aid resources to help you plan your finances as you apply to optometry programs:
- National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs
- FinAid’s list of Loan Forgiveness Programs
- AOA’s Guide to Optometric Loans, Grants and Scholarships