Admission requirements

Before you apply, please review the full list of prerequisite information, complete admission requirements, and the application instructions. We review the many attributes and qualities that make up an applicant and look forward to reviewing your application!

Positions

One candidate is selected on a competitive basis every other year for the Orthoptic Program at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota.

Prerequisites

Students interested in a career in orthoptics must have:

• Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• An undergraduate major in science is preferred, including exposure to the following areas of study: biology, physiology, anatomy, mathematics, basic physics, child development, psychology
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 is preferred

Completion of the GRE is not required for application.

Admission policies

Non-U.S. citizen applicants

Admission to Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is open to U.S. workers in the four categories below. Therefore, visa sponsorship is not available.

1. U.S. citizens
2. U.S. nationals
3. Lawful permanent residents
4. Asylees and refugees

Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT). Scores from the speaking portion of the exam are given particular consideration in admission decisions. Learn more about the exam and register online at the Educational Testing Service.

The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences code for the TOEFL iBT is 5784.

Educational transcripts from schools outside the U.S. must be translated (if they are not already in English) and evaluated for U.S. equivalence by an accredited credential evaluation service company prior to submission. Please refer to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for a list of qualified companies. The applicant pays for the examination and credential-evaluation services.

Learn more and find complete details regarding Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences admissions policy information.

Application process

Application timeline

Application opens on Nov. 1, the year prior to enrollment. Your application and all supporting documentation must be submitted no later than March 1 for admission to classes beginning in the following September.

Application instructions

Complete the following steps to apply:

1. Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission
   • Select - Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
   • Select - Orthoptic Program
2. Complete each section of the application and submit
3. After submission, view the required Supplemental Items and Documents
   • Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section 
   • Complete the Recommendation Request section

Additional required items

• Complete the personal statement and upload it to the Supplemental Items section.
  • What influences your interest in orthoptics?
• Three letters of recommendation are required and must be completed in the Recommendation Request section. Each recommender will receive an email with a link to complete a rating form.

Interview process

If you are considered for acceptance, you will be invited to for a personal interview at Mayo Clinic (at your own expense), or via Zoom with the admissions committee. Only the top-ranked applicants will be invited for an interview.

Acceptance

Applicants will be notified approximately April 1. Your reply is requested within 10 days of receiving your notification of acceptance.