Admissions
Pennsylvania College of Optometry accepts applications only through the Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS).
The processing of applications by OptomCAS begins at the end of June, one year prior to the year of desired enrollment. Applications must be submitted on or before March 31 of the year of desired enrollment.
• Student application reviews begin when an application is verified by OptomCAS
• Interviews are scheduled and initiated, beginning in September
• Candidates meeting the requirements are admitted on a rolling basis until class capacity is reached
It is to an applicant’s advantage to apply as early as possible to ensure priority consideration for admission.
It is recommended that applicants with less than a 3.5 (B+) grade point average should consult the Office of Admissions prior to applying.
Criteria
The Accelerated Scholars Program at Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) offers a new, alternate opportunity for highly qualified and highly motivated students with a recommended cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and an OAT academic average score of 330 or higher.*
Applicants meeting these criteria will be considered for the program and asked to visit the campus and undergo a process known as the multiple mini interview.
*Applicants now have the option to take the General GRE (Graduate Record Exam), MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), DAT (Dental Admission Test), or PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test) in lieu of taking the OAT. Scores in the 60% or higher are highly recommended in each section of the chosen admission exam.
To be considered, an applicant must:
• Submit a properly completed application to the Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS) at www.optomcas.org. Detailed instructions regarding the completion of the application and the essay are provided on the OptomCAS website.
• Complete a Bachelor’s degree, with a recommended cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, evidenced by an official academic transcript (from an accredited undergraduate college or university) prior to the start of classes for the Scholars Program. Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (or currently attending) directly to OptomCAS.
• Complete admissions prerequisites (see below) at the college level with a grade of ‘C-’ or better.
• Arrange to take the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) prior to June 1 of the desired entering year; taking the OAT between July and December of the application process is highly recommended.
• Information and registration for online testing: www.opted.org
• An OAT Academic Average score of 330 or higher is recommended.
• The admission exam must be taken within three years, prior to the start of the OptomCAS application cycle to which you are applying.
• Applicants now have the option to take the General GRE (Graduate Record Exam), MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), DAT (Dental Admission Test), or PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test) in lieu of taking the OAT. Scores in the 60% or higher are highly recommended in each section of the chosen admission exam.
• Three letters of evaluation are required and should be forwarded directly to OptomCAS. Any three of the following options will be accepted in order to fulfill the letter requirement:
• a Pre-Professional Committee letter of evaluation (consult with your college/university pre-professional advisor regarding the policy for providing letters of recommendation for pre-professional applicants).
• one committee letter will fulfill the entire letter requirement.
• letter from a teaching faculty member who has taught you in a course (science teaching faculty letter is strongly recommended).
• letter from a teaching assistant only accepted if co-signed by a faculty member.
• letter from your pre-professional or faculty advisor.
• letter from practicing optometrist for whom you have shadowed or worked.
• letter from a healthcare professional or work supervisor who is able to assess your qualifications for professional education and future career in optometry.
• Additional letters outside of the above options will enhance the file but will not fulfill our required letters of evaluation.
• A minimum of 100 hours of experience in a healthcare profession is required (may be volunteer or paid). In addition, it is highly recommended to shadow a practicing optometrist(s) in order to be familiar with the role of the optometrist as a member of the healthcare team.
• International Students, please review any additional requirements below.
• All credentials submitted on behalf of an applicant become a part of that applicant’s file with the University and cannot be returned.
• Students will be required to meet University compliance requirements upon matriculation.
Prerequisites
An applicant must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate college or university. These credits must include the pre-optometry courses listed below completed with a '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.
Prerequisite credits completed ten or more years prior to the anticipated entrance date will be reviewed for approval on an individual basis.
• General Biology or Zoology (with labs) - one year
• General Chemistry (with labs) - one year
• Organic Chemistry (with labs) - one year or
• ½ year Organic Chemistry plus ½ year of either Biochemistry or Molecular Biology (lab highly recommended)
• General Physics (with labs) - one year
• Microbiology or Bacteriology (lecture only) - ½ year
• English Composition or English Literature - one year
• Mathematics - one year
• (½ year Calculus fulfills math requirement; however, one year of Calculus highly recommended)
• Psychology - ½ year
• Statistics (Math, Biology or Psychology) - ½ year
We encourage, but do not require, additional upper level science coursework in such areas as Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, Histology and Experimental and Physiological Psychology. Anatomy and Physiology course work is highly recommended.
International Students & Practitioners
International Transcripts
For applicants who have attended foreign and French-Canadian schools, please provide the Office of Admissions with the following information:
• A course-by-course credential review from an approved agency, such as World Education Services, which evidences all post-secondary studies completed. Please consult agency’s web site for requirements to complete the evaluation.
• An official evaluation may be sent from the agency directly to OptomCAS.
• Instructions for submitting a foreign credential evaluation.
English Language Proficiency
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential for success in a Salus University academic program as well as to help ensure patient/client/student safety and/or effective communication with members of a healthcare or education team.
Official results from the TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS or Duolingo examination are required of all non-native English speakers. One of these approved exams must be taken within two years prior to the start date of the entering class to which an applicant seeks admission.
While we recommend that applicants submit TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS or Duolingo, exceptions will be considered for foreign applicants who meet one of the following criteria*:
1. successfully completed a degree or diploma held from an accredited, post-secondary institution where the coursework was entirely in English, and provide evidence that it was conducted in English; or
2. successfully completed, and provide evidence of, an approved English language learner’s program
*Note: All exemption materials and other appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and subject to the admission committee’s final discretion. Should any exceptions not be accepted toward the English language requirement, the Office of Admissions will inform the applicant of an alternative to fulfill it.
Admissions Selection Process
For more information regarding the admissions selection, MMI interview and matriculation process, please refer to the Salus website.
Deferment of Admission
An accepted student with an unforeseen, extenuating circumstance prohibiting them from matriculating may request a deferment of admission in writing. The request must be directed to both the Dean of Student Affairs and the Dean of PCO, and made via the Office of Admissions.
For deferment consideration, the following is required:
• A deferment request submitted in writing by April 1, before the July start of the academic year. Please note, submission of a deferral request by the deadline does not guarantee approval.
• Official documentation verifying the extenuating circumstance.
• All non-refundable deposit fees and the matriculation supplement must be received (as directed in the University’s official Letter of Acceptance).
If deferment is approved:
• Admission will be extended to August matriculation of the next academic year.
• A deferment will not extend beyond one admission cycle.
• The student must contact the Office of Admissions, in writing, by February 1 of the deferred admission calendar year regarding his/her intention to resume enrollment.
• The student will be required to meet with a member of the Admissions Committee prior to matriculation (this may be done in person or via phone/online).
If a deferral request is denied:
• A student has the option to withdraw acceptance from the Program, and reapply through OptomCAS for future admission.
For questions regarding this policy, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@salus.edu.