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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.

Academic Requirements

Matched applicants to the on-campus residency program must satisfy all requirements for California licensure by the first day of residency training. This includes the successful completion of NBEO Part I, II, III, TMOD, and passing the California law exam administered through the state board.  They must have graduated from an Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) accredited school or college of optometry with an OD degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the optometry professional curriculum.

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

2023 Application Deadline is January 9

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

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

Application Questions
Email questions about your application to us at:
optometry-residency@berkeley.edu