MSCHE/ACOE Self Study

http://www.sunyopt.edu/admissions/od_demographics.shtml. strategic objective is that “In any year, average scores for each entering class in the professional program, on all sections of the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), will be in the first quartile of admitted optometry students for that year.” Appendix E-4 and http://www.opted.org/files/public/Profile_of_Entering_Class_2009.pdf contain 2009 data published by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) that show SUNY academic average (AA) and total science (TS) OAT scores to be second highest amongst the twenty optometry programs in the nation. The following graph, which gives average OAT TS scores for students matriculating at each of the nation’s schools/colleges of optometry (and the national average), reveals that SUNY Optometry consistently score second highest. A

Total Science OAT Scores

SUNY

250 270 290 310 330 350 370 390

National Average

Score

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Year

The success of the admissions process at admitting a qualified student body is also reflected in the optometry program’s attrition rates. An objective in the Strategic Plan (Goal 1.8) states “The attrition rate for academic reasons, in the professional program, will not exceed 5% of students in any one class for the duration of the four-year program.” As can be seen on the College’s web site http://www.sunyopt.edu/admissions/od_demographics.shtml (and Appendix E-5), the attrition rate (students who fail to graduate within five years of matriculation for academic reasons) has ranged from 0 to 4.3% with an average yearly rate of 2.0%). For an average class of 72 students, this represents a total of 0-3 students per class over the four years of the program. 6.2 The program publishes the criteria considered in selecting students who have the potential for success in the program and the profession. The criteria considered in selecting students are published on page 18 of the College’s online catalog (http://www.sunyopt.edu/images/College_Catalog.pdf) (or Appendix E-6). Prerequisites and functional standards are given in this document. The Committee on Admissions is appointed by the VPSA after

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