Admission Criteria
| Important Dates for Fall 2009 Application | |
|---|---|
| Application Period Begins: | August 1, 2008 |
| Preferred Application Deadline: | *January 9, 2009 |
| Application Deadline: | March 13, 2009 |
| Admission Decisions: | October 2008 - April 2009 |
| Optometry Admission Test (OAT): | Must be taken by March 1, 2009 to be considered. |
| WICHE PSEP Deadline: | October 15, 2008 |
| FAFSA: | January/February 2009 |
| The Admissions Committee strongly encourages applicants to submit their application early in our cycle. Delaying your application until the final deadline may reduce your chance for admission due to rolling admission. *Applications received before January 9 will be given preference for admissions scholarships. | |
Enrollment is limited and admission is selective. The Optometry Admisssions Committee strongly encourages early application. In making admission decisions, the Optometry Admissions Committee considers many factors:
- Strength and breadth of academic record.
- Optometry Admission Test scores. The Admissions Committee strongly encourages applicants to take the OAT early and apply by the preferred application deadline of January 9, 2009. Well qualified applicants who apply early are more likely to gain admission to Pacific University College of Optometry. The OAT must be taken by March 1, 2009 to be accepted for the Fall 2009 entry.
- Essay responses.
- Applicants are required to have a minimum of 30 hours of unpaid observation with an optometrist prior to application. We encourage the observation be completed within a diversity of optometry settings.
- Strength of letters of evaluation (download the letter of evaluation form to email to your references here)
- Content of application forms and the care with which they have been prepared.
- Extracurricular and community activities.
Based on the criteria listed above, selected applicants are invited for the on-campus personal interview. The interview is required and is a contributing factor in the admission decision. It allows the selection committee to assess essential skills and traits which may not be reflected in the application.
In the interview, consideration is given to knowledge of the profession, motivation toward a career in optometry, ability to think clearly and logically, poise, self-confidence, warmth and verbal expression of ideas.