Booster Prep

Optometry Admissions

Michigan College

Admissions Statistics and Requirements for Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University

Background Information

  • Location: Big Rapids, Michigan
  • Institution Type: Public
  • Mission Statement: To provide Excellence, Leadership, and Innovation in optometric education.
  • Combined Degrees Offered: N/A
  • Year Opened: 1975
  • Number of Years to Earn Degree: 4
  • Campus Housing Available: Yes
  • Class Size: 37

Admission Statistics: (2024 Applicant and Entering Class Data)

Acceptance Rates by Location*:

Number of Applicants
Number of Enrollees
Enrollment Rate
Overall
245
37
15.10%
In-State
60
22
36.67%
Out-State
134
6
4.48%
International
51
9
17.65%

* According to data from ASCO

Academic Averages for Acceptance* :

OAT Academic Average
OAT Science Average
Cumulative GPA
334
330
3.7

* According to data from ASCO

Prerequisites

Prerequisite Course Work:

Required Course
Credits
Required Lab
General Biology
8 / 12
General Chemistry
8 / 12
Organic Chemistry
4 / 6
General Physics
8 / 12
Biochemistry
3 / 4
General Microbiology
4 / 6
Calculus
3 / 4
Statistics
3 / 4
Psychology
3 / 4
Community College Coursework and Advanced Placement Credit:
AP Credit Accepted?
Yes, all AP courses must appear on your official college transcript or letter from your registrar.
Community College Coursework Accepted?
Yes

Minimum number of College Credit Hours required:

  •  For regular admissions, the applicant must have earned a baccalaureate degree prior to the start date at Michigan College of Optometry.

Required Shadowing Hours:

  •  There is not a specific number of shadowing hours required.

Letters of Recommendation: 

  • Three letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be submitted by a college professor, a second letter from an optometrist, and a third letter from another individual of the applicant's choice who is neither a professor, optometrist, nor relative (suggestions would be a high school teacher, high school counselor, athletic coach, clergy, work supervisor, etc.).

Supplemental Information:

Required Supplemental Application?
Supplemental Application Fee
CASPer Required?
Yes
No
No

Finances and Application Logistics

Financial Estimations for students starting Fall 2025:

Year
In-State Tuition
Out-State Tuition
Additional Fees
Cost of Living Score*
First Year
$36,974
$36,974
-
79
Second Year
$36,974
$36,974
-
-
Third Year
$50,596
$50,596
-
-
Fourth Year
$42,812
$42,812
-
-

*All cost of living scores are according to bestplaces.net and provide a rough estimate compared to the average of the United States (a score of 100 is considered average for the United States. Scores lower than 100 would indicate a cost of living lower than average. Scores above 100 indicate a cost of living higher than average).

Board Passage Rates for First Time Takers

Year
Part I Passage Rate
Part II Passage Rate
Part III Passage Rate
2023-2024
67.74%
93.55%
77.42%
2022-2023
88.89%
97.22%
83.33%
2021-2022
83.33%
97.22%
77.78%
2020-2021
86.11%
94.44%
75.00%
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