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Residency Admissions

Berkeley Optometry offers residencies in 7 different areas. You may apply to only one area of study (e.g., Vision Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation or Pediatric Optometry/Primary Eye Optometry, etc.). Your letter of intent should explain your interest. The Residency Admissions Committee, chaired by the Dean, will follow the procedures of the University of California as an equal-opportunity employer.

All applicants will be evaluated without regard to gender, race, color, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or national origin. The Residency Admissions Committee, chaired by the Dean, will follow the procedures of the University of California as an equal opportunity employer.

Eligibility Criteria

  • An optometry degree from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) accredited school or college of optometry.
  • Cumulative GPA 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for optometric education required.
  • Passage of NBEO I, II, and TMOD prior to the ORMatch match. (In a post-match situation, the timing of passing NBEO exams will be considered on a case-by-case basis)

International students are eligible to apply for the program if they are currently at a US school of optometry on a student visa that can be converted to an OPT Visa for their residency year of study.

For clarification regarding your eligibility, please contact the Director of Residencies:

kunikanai@berkeley.edu

Application Process

2024 Application Deadline is January 8

To apply, please follow these steps:

  1. Apply for a residency via the Optometric Residency Match (ORMatch) program.

Notes for Application

Transcripts

Official or unofficial transcripts from your OD degree can be used. No undergraduate transcripts are required.  If unofficial, ensure that your institution’s name and full legal name are clearly visible. Also note you will be required to submit official, hard-copy transcripts to the Graduate Division if accepted to the program.

NBEO scores

NBEO scores should be uploaded to your application.

GPA

A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the optometry professional curriculum is required.

Interviews

After the application deadline, interview invitations will be sent to successful applicants. From January through March, the Residency Admissions Committee will be organizing and conducting interviews. However, the residency program allows for some flexibility, given the applicant’s schedules.

Contacts/Questions

Kuniyoshi Kanai O.D., F.A.A.O.
Director, On Campus Residency Program
kunikanai@berkeley.edu