MSCHE/ACOE Self Study

Most students who enter through the 3/4 program major in biology, chemistry, or psychology; however, additional majors are accepted as long as prerequisites for the optometry program are met. Students who are accepted into the program receive continuous guidance from their undergraduate institutions as well as from SUNY College of Optometry Student Affairs staff. Overall, these students have been academically successful, with an overall SUNY Optometry GPA of 2.91 (matriculating years of 2007-2009). 6.6 Program publications, written policies, advertising, and student recruitment present an accurate representation of the program. All program publications, written policies, advertising and student recruitment material are regularly reviewed by the program administrator (i.e., vice president for student affairs, associate dean for research and graduate studies or director of residency programs) for accuracy and updated as needed.

About 63% of students (2010 Professional Student Survey) strongly agree or agree that “During the recruitment process, I was given a true picture of the school and its professional program.”

Although much information regarding the College is provided to students during the recruitment process and on the College’s website, including information on the curriculum (http://www.sunyopt.edu/academics/od_curriculum.shtml), student demographics (http://www.sunyopt.edu/admissions/od_demographics.shtml) and performance on examinations administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (http://www.sunyopt.edu/admissions/NBEOPassRates.shtml), the College believes this figure should be higher and has set a goal for it to increase from 63% to 75% by the onset of the fall 2011 academic year. During the 2010- 2011 academic year, admissions policies and procedures will be reviewed thoroughly by the VPSA and the director of admission and marketing. At the onset of the fall 2010 semester, the vice president for student affairs and the faculty chair of the admissions committee conducted small group discussions with faculty members who serve on the Admissions Committee. During these meetings, participants discussed (1) the importance of attracting and retaining the best possible candidates for the OD program and (2) the importance of creating a positive campus visit and/or interview experience for each student visitor or applicant, regardless of the admissions decision that is ultimately made.

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