Admission Criteria and Dates
Starting on July 15, 2009, applicants for optometric study in the United States and Puerto Rico will use a centralized application service, OptomCAS. By utilizing a centralized application service, prospective students will file one application that can be sent to multiple schools and colleges of optometry. The Admissions Team at Pacific University is pleased to be a participant OptomCAS school as we strive to make the application process more efficient and convenient for you. More information can be found at www.optomcas.org.
Please note that Pacific University College of Optometry will also require a short
supplemental application in addition to the universal OptomCAS application.
Your application for admission to Pacific University College of Optometry will not be complete until we receive both the OptomCAS application and your Pacific University Supplemental Application. Information about Pacific's supplemental application, as well as a link to the supplemental application, can be found online at http://www.pacificu.edu/optometry/admissions/application/index.cfm
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 December 1, 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 Feburary 1, 2010 to be accepted for the Fall 2010 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: one must be from an optometrist and one must be from a professor
- Content of application forms and the care with which they have been prepared.
- Extracurricular and community activities.
- Demonstrated English proficiency is required of all applicants whose first language is not English. For information on the English Proficiency Policy, please download it here. The deadline to take the TOEFL exam for candidates requiring the test to meet the English proficiency requirement is January 8, 2010. This allows time for the Office of Admissions to receive your score, process it, and issue immigration documents if needed.
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.
Interview Days for 2009-2010 are scheduled for the following Fridays:
Friday, October 16, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Friday, January 15, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Interview Days are mandatory.