3+4 Program

​

Every year, we welcome a few exceptional students from several 3+4 programs to ICO.

As a student in this program, you will complete three years of undergraduate course work and then join ICO for the next four years.

​

Breakdown of 3+4 Program

This program is called 3+4 because, you will spend three years as an undergraduate and then join ICO for the next four years. In most cases, after your first year at ICO, you will have completed the requirements to receive a bachelor's degree* from your undergraduate institution. After completing the next three years of successful coursework, you will graduate as a Doctor of Optometry.

​

This academically intensive program is particularly beneficial if you enter your bachelor’s knowing that you want to be a Doctor of Optometry. When you arrive at ICO, you will already have gained three years of invaluable experience. Historically, we have seen students in these programs perform well above average in our program. As a 3+4 student, you’ve already taken on an accelerated curriculum and succeeded.

​

*Most undergraduate institutions will require you to maintain a 3.2 or higher to participate in this program.

​

Additional Benefits

Participating in a 3+4 program provides significant financial benefits by allowing you to forgo one year of undergraduate tuition. That means you'll graduate a year earlier, and you'll have an extra year of income as an optometrist.

​

Am I eligible to apply?

To participate in this program, you will need to meet several requirements. You will work directly with our Senior Director of Admissions and our Dean of Student Affairs (also a 3+4 graduate) to ensure you are on the right path. You will also need to work closely with your school's pre-health advisor.

 

Timing is key within this program. In particular, two milestones are important:

​

1. You will need to talk to your pre-health advisor during the fall term of your freshman year. You will need to talk to them as soon as possible to ensure all requirements are met within three years. In most cases, you will need to register within your 3+4 program by the spring semester of your freshman year. This will allow you to meet all ICO course requirements before applying.
    

2. Since you are part of an accelerated course, you need to carefully consider when you to take the OAT. Talk to your pre-health advisor to identify what time frame makes sense for you.

 

In addition to these two important milestones, we always encourage students to participate in shadowing opportunities before fully committing to optometry school. This will likely need to be done during the summer between Sophomore and Junior year, although it can also be completed before this.

​

 

Participating Undergraduate Schools

ICO partners with the following colleges for their 3+4 program:

​

• Illinois Institute of Technology

• Augustana College

• Aurora University

• Wisconsin Lutheran College

• North Carolina Central University

• Elmhurst College