Admissions Criteria

The College actively seeks applicants from every state in the nation. Students now attending represent nearly all states, as well as Canada and several other countries. The Admissions Committee has established an admissions policy to select the applicants who are best qualified to serve the public and the profession in the years to come.

In selecting students to be admitted, many factors are considered, e.g., the applicant's academic performance, motivation, extracurricular activities and interests, related and unrelated work experience, personal achievements, essays, and letters of evaluation. When evaluating academic performance, the applicant's grade point average, performance in prerequisite courses, number of college credits completed, degree status, and results of the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) are considered carefully.

Individuals successfully meeting the above criteria are invited to visit the College campus for an interview which offers further insight into the applicant's characteristics and motivation. The candidate will also meet with a member of the Office of Admissions to discuss his or her application. The visit affords the individual an opportunity to tour the campus and meet personnel from the Financial Aid Office.

Class of 2010 Profile

The Optometry Class of 2010 was made up of 158 students from 29 states and Canada. Twenty-six percent are natives of Pennsylvania. Ages ranged from 20 to 40 years old, with an average age of 23. The class is 65 percent female and 43 percent minority. Academically, 75 percent were biology or zoology majors at their undergrad institutions, while 12 percent were chemistry, physics or other sciences, four percent were psychology and nine percent were other majors. Eight students entered as the fourth residential class for the School of Audiology. The class is 100 percent female and 50 percent minority.

NBEO TOP SCORERS AT PCO 

Pictured at right are two optometry students who tied for PCO’s highest score for the NBEO examinations. 

From left to right are: Student Body President, Rachel Brackley ’09; top scorer Amber Reinhart ’09; Dean Robert Horne; top scorer Ji Youn E.Kim ’09 and Class President William Southerland ’09.

PCO President, Dr. Thomas L. Lewis hosted a reception of light refreshments following the presentations. Both students had the cost of their exam refunded as their prize.

Pre-requisite Coursework

An applicant must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours or 125 quarter hours of credit from an accredited undergraduate college or university. Prerequisite credits completed ten or more years prior to the anticipated entrance date will be reviewed for approval on an individual basis. 

These credits must include the following pre-optometry courses completed with a 2.0 (C) or better. An applicant need not have completed all prerequisites prior to filing an application but must be able to complete all outstanding prerequisites prior to enrolling:

It is recommended that students with less than a 2.5 (C+) grade point average consult the Office of Admissions prior to applying.

• Biology, General or Zoology (with labs)—1 year
• Chemistry, General (with labs)—1 year
• Chemistry, Organic (with labs)—1 year or Chemistry Organic—(with lab)—1/2 year and 1/2 year of either, Biochemistry or Molecular Biology (lab highly recommended)
• English, Composition or Literature—1 year
• Mathematics—1 year Calculus highly recommended—1/2 year of Calculus fulfills Math requirement
• Microbiology or Bacteriology (with lab)—1/2 year
• Physics, General (with labs)—1 year
• Psychology—1/2 year
• Statistics (Math, Biology, or Psychology)—1/2 year

We encourage, but do not require additional course work in such areas as Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Experimental and Physiological Psychology.

While Biology and Chemistry majors are the largest group of applicants, students in any major may be considered provided the above requirements are met. For example, a growing number of psychology majors seeking clinical and research careers are becoming more aware of the opportunities optometry holds for them.

Admissions Procedures

Rolling Admissions

The College uses a "rolling admissions" process (September 1 through March 31) which allows qualified candidates to be admitted on an ongoing basis beginning in early October and continuing until the class is filled.

• Student applications are reviewed beginning September 1.
• Interviews are scheduled and initiated starting October 1. 
• Candidates meeting the requirements are then admitted on a weekly basis until the class capacity is reached. 

Therefore, it is to the student’s advantage to apply as early as possible to ensure full consideration for admission. Applications will be accepted after March 31 only if seats are available in the class.

To be considered for admission to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry:

• Submit a properly completed application (including unofficial transcripts) to the Office of Admissions, accompanied by a non-refundable check or money order in the amount of $50. Economically disadvantaged students should contact the Office of Admissions regarding an application fee waiver. Applicant can apply on-line.
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges (undergraduate, graduate, professional) attended. Partial transcripts should be submitted if courses are still in progress. Official transcripts must be submitted directly to the Admissions Office from each institution.
• Arrange to have forwarded directly to the College either a letter of evaluation from the pre-health professions committee or three letters of evaluation from faculty members teaching natural science subjects (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics). References should attest to the applicant’s ethical character, academic ability, and fitness for professional life. Additional references from optometrists and other health professionals may be provided at the applicant’s discretion.
• Doctor of Optometry applicants must arrange to take the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) prior to June 1. The exam is offered electronically. Information and registration for on-line testing can be accessed through www.opted.org.
  • Taking the OAT in the fall is highly recommended due to the rolling admissions policy. However, the Spring OAT is acceptable until June 1. Have the results forwarded to the Office of Admissions no later than June 30th of the entering year. OAT results should not be more than two years old.
    
• Arrange to have forwarded directly to the College either a letter of evaluation from the pre-health professions committee or three letters of evaluation from faculty members teaching natural science subjects (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics). References should attest to the applicant’s ethical character, academic ability, and fitness for professional life. Additional references from optometrists and other health professionals may be provided at the applicant’s discretion.
• All credentials submitted on behalf of an applicant become a part of that applicant’s file with the College and cannot be returned.

International Students and Practitioners

Provide the Admissions Office with the following information:

• A course-by-course credential review from an accredited agency which evidences all post-secondary studies completed.  The applicant will need to provide to the credential agency and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, certified English translations of all academic records and descriptions for all courses completed. These services are provided by various agencies including:  World Education Services, PO Box 745, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113-0745, Phone 212-966-6311, www.wes.org
   
• Official results of a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language (www.toefl.org) examination.
   

• International practitioners should submit a letter of reference from a Department Chairperson or Supervisor along with two references from former faculty.

Notification of Acceptance

An applicant may be notified of his or her acceptance as early as October. Upon receipt of acceptance, an applicant is required to pay $1,000 matriculation fee to the College prior to the start of classes, payable as follows:

• Return the matriculation form within 14 days of the date of the acceptance letter. A $500 deposit is due January 15; if accepted after January 15, the $500 deposit must accompany the matriculation form.
  
• Due June 1--the balance of $500 of the matriculation fee.
  
• All monies received above will be applied toward first term fees.
  
• Refund Policy

NOTE:  Record of Immunizations - All students are required to provide immunization records for Hepatitis B. Acceptable forms of proof are:

1. serological evidence of current immunity to Hepatitis B,
2. a signed physician statement that you have completed the three-dose series of vaccinations, or
3. an informed refusal to be vaccinated