OptomCAS Universal Application Update
A special message for those applying during the 2009-2010 admissions cycle for Fall 2010 entry into a Pacific University’s College of Optometry OD program:
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.
TWO-PART APPLICATION PROCESS
OptomCAS application + Pacific University Supplemental application
= complete application
Pacific requires a supplemental application because, although the universal OptomCAS application will collect much of the data we need (letters of recommendation, transcripts, contact information), the Admissions Committee at Pacific University greatly values supplemental information that tells us more about you and your motivation for becoming an optometrist. Additional essay questions and other personal information allow us to delve deeper into who you are as an individual. It also allows us to understand your academic profile in the context of your life; for example, a 3.5 GPA of one applicant, who is working, taking 21 credits, and President of the Pre-Optometry club, is not the same as an applicant with a 3.5 GPA who has no other responsibilities. Since Pacific University does not automatically invite any applicant to interview or deny any applicant based solely on an academic profile, we use this additional information to determine your potential fit with our program.
Although this supplemental application will require additional effort by the applicant, we feel strongly that it is what contributes to the overall strength of our program, filled with students that excel not only academically, but in other areas as well, creating what we believe are the most patient-centered, passionate, and well-rounded doctors in the country.
The supplemental application will be available online by July 1, 2009, to coincide with the launch of the OptomCAS Universal Application on July 15.
If you would like more information about our admissions philosophy, please call or email Janelle Holmboe (jholmboe@pacificu.edu), Associate Director of Graduate Admissions, at
503-352-3145. She would be happy to work with you and explain the reasoning behind the Admissions Committee’s decision to require this supplemental application.
Pacific's College of Optometry Supplemental Application is now available.
Learn more here.
The following elements are required pieces of the Supplemental Application:
- We will be requiring 2 additional essay questions in the supplemental application. A lot of writing, we know, but this allows us an opportunity to get to know you, to understand your motivation towards Pacific, and to determine your fit for our program. An optional essay will also be available. Please review the application above to review the essay topics.
- "Last 45" GPA Calculation. This GPA calculation is unique to Pacific, and is essentially your GPA for the most recent 45 credits of coursework (typically about a year and a half). This allows us to see upward trends in your academic performance.
- A minimum of 30 hours of unpaid observation with an optometrist (you will document this in the universal and supplemental application, although no signature from an OD is required). This ensures that you are familiar with the scope of the profession.
- A $25 supplemental application fee* (please note the difference between the Fall 2009 application fee of $70 and the new $25 supplemental fee. The decision to lower the application fee due to the increased cost of OptomCAS was made by College of Optometry administration in an attempt to lessen the financial burden on applicants. Pacific University receives no part of the OptomCAS application fees paid by the applicant).
- Reapplicants will be required to write a reapplicant essay.
*Any applicant can have his/her $25 supplemental application fee waived by a Pacific University College of Optometry alumnus. To waive the application fee, click "Request a Fee Waiver" at the end of the online supplemental application, and fill in the name of the alumnus, year of PUCO graduation, business address, email, and phone number. The sponsoring optometrist does not have to pay the $25.
Janelle L. Holmboe
Asst. Director of Graduate and Professional
Admissions