A study of applicants to colleges of optometry in the U.S

A statistical summary of numbers of applicants and applications to U.S. colleges of optometry, dentistry, and medicine is presented for the six academic years, 1969-70 through 1974-75. Attention is drawn to changes during the five-year interval in numbers of (a) professional schools, (b) total applicants, (c) total applications, (d) applicants accepted, (e) applicants per acceptance, (f) percent of applicants accepted, and (g) applications per individual. Absolute numbers are listed in tabular form and, to facilitate interdisciplinary comparison, in relative numbers in a series of figures. Concerns raised by the trends revealed are outlined.