MSCHE Self Study April 2021

Admissions: Doctor of Optometry (OD) Program The Admissions Policy and Procedure document details the process employed to admit a qualified student body. The function of the Admissions Committee, descriptions of the interview process and Joint Degree Program (3/4 program) and admission of advanced standing applicants are addressed in this document. Faculty appointees to the Committee on Admissions are provided with time (FTE) in their work plans to meet committee obligations. In addition to reviewing applications, interviewing candidates and making recommendations regarding admissions, the Committee meets at the beginning and end of each year’s admissions cycle to evaluate the admissions process and to suggest changes in policy or procedure. To encourage consistency in the interview process, members of the Admissions Committee individually assess candidates following an Interview Scoring Guide and make a recommendation to accept or reject the candidate or place him/her on hold. Candidate applications are processed with WebAdmit . Admissions Requirements are published on the College’s website. In addition to GPA and Optometry Admission Test (OAT) scores 6 , the Admissions Committee also considers the quality of the candidate’s undergraduate institution, type of program pursued, progression of grades, extracurricular activities , leadership and community involvement, communication and interpersonal skills, letters of recommendation, personal interview and commitment to the profession. We do not discriminate against out ‐ of ‐ state residents for admission. A four ‐ year baccalaureate degree is highly recommended for admission to the OD program. Students who have completed all required Prerequisite Courses and a minimum of three years (90 semester credits) of undergraduate study from an accredited institution will also be considered for admission. 3/4 Joint Degree Program The SUNY College of Optometry offers a joint degree program as an alternative to the traditional route of entry into the professional OD program. Highly qualified undergraduate students from 25 affiliated colleges and universities work to complete both their undergraduate degrees as well as their doctor of optometry degrees within a seven ‐ year period—instead of the usual eight— thus saving one year of expenses. After the first year at SUNY Optometry, the student receives his or her baccalaureate degree from the undergraduate college. The OD degree is awarded after completing the four year program at SUNY Optometry. Successful candidates must complete all required prerequisites as well as meet additional requirements (3/4 Joint Degree Program ). In recent years, about 7% of entering students followed this route. Students who are accepted into 6 We strongly recommend that applicants take the OAT before applying. Upon approval from the Director of Admissions/Admissions Committee, SUNY Optometry may accept GRE, MCAT, DAT, PCAT scores in lieu of the OAT. The Admissions Committee has the discretion to request students also take the OAT.

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