How many credits required for admission?

[xoforever]

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For US colleges of Optometry, is it a requirement to take 5 courses per semester throughout your undergraduate career? Do you need to complete 90 credits (5 courses/sem) in order to gain admission into a college of Optometry?
I am currently taking four courses per semester as I'm doing quite a bit of ECs on the side. I will be applying for admission following 3 years of undergrad, as I am not planning on getting a bachelors degree.
Also, how terrible does a "W" look on a transcript?

Thanks!

 

[Neya00]

I am also planning on entering w/o a degree and when I went to visit Suny, Nova, PCO, ICO and OSU, they all told me the same thing... students that are competitive (great GPA, OAT and experience, etc.) are just fine with no bachelors, but yes you do need at least 90 credits, not necessarily 5courses/semester. As long as the pre-req are met then youre fine.
I also asked them about the "W"s on my transcripts and they said its a reflection on how well I can handle such a heavy course load during the first yrs of Optometry school and to make sure I dont get any more! Just be ready to explain if you have excessive withdrawals.
They seemed to be more impressed with being able to handle a larger science course load then any EC that I had.

 

[blysssful]

You don't have the specifically take 5 courses a semester, or take a certain amount of credits a semester/year. It LOOKS BETTER if you can handle a full courseload along with whatever extracurriculars you choose to participate in.

For entry to the schools that don't require bachelor's degrees, they have different requirements. It would be best to directly contact the schools to find out the specific requirements.

As far as the withdrawal, it's not the worst thing if you just have one or two. If you have a habit of not being able to handle your courseload, you might be in trouble.