What You Should Know — Optometry Admissions and SCCO

Goals and Wisdom »

The Unique Doctor-Patient Relationship and Standing On Your Own Two Feet!

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I always wanted to be an optometrist.  Always. It started when I was just a kid with my geeky fascination for eyeglass frames and turned into a longing for a vital way to help not only patients but myself too. I look back now with 40 years in optometry.  I am so grateful… As will… Read More ›

• Financial Aid 101: Making Sense of the Cost of an Optometric Education

Applying »

Changes to SCCO’s Pre-Requisite Requirements for the Upcoming Admissions Cycle

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Trends in undergrad education prompted SCCO’s administration to re-evaluate pre-requisite requirements. This process was triggered initially as a result of applicants’ feedback about how difficult it was becoming to fulfill the human anatomy and physiology lab requirement. Responding to this feedback by researching undergrad institutions’ changing policy about offering these labs led to a subsequent… Read More ›

• 15 Tips for Applying to Optometry School
• Applying Through OptomCAS: Your Application Roadmap
• Optometry: An Inspired Career Choice

Admissions »

Pre-Optometry Club Day at SCCO

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Need an event to attend as a pre-optometry club? Wouldn’t it be great to get together with other pre-optometry clubs? Want to learn more about SCCO’s program and what it offers? Pre-Optometry Club Day is a program designed with your pre-optometry club in mind! Topics include preparing to be a competitive applicant, student life, virtual… Read More ›

• An Optometrist Saved My Vision!
• Have You Considered An Optometric Residency?
• Club Night at MBKU

OAT »

Super Advice from an OAT Test Taker!

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What follows is a retrospective from an OAT test taker about the OAT.  It was originally posted on SCCO’s Facebook Group for Pre-Optometry Students: This advice was given by a student who was accepted to SCCO, a student currently in our program. I don’t think she’d mind me telling you that she NAILED the OAT—she… Read More ›

• OAT Prep Recommendation: Chad’s Videos
• OAT Preparation on a Budget
• How a Successful OAT-Taker Prepared

The Interview »

“Six Interview Mistakes” by Michael Neece, Monster.com Contributing Writer

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I came across this article on Monster.com.  Michael Neece makes six concise points about interviewing that has relevance to an applicant interview.  I formatted this article so that my comments appear after each point made by its author: Six Interview Mistakes by Michael Neece, Monster.com, Contributing Writer #1  Confusing an Interview with an Interrogation:  Most candidates expect to be interrogated…. Read More ›

• Recommended Reading for Interview Preparation: Some of Dr. Munroe’s Favorites
• Favorite Personal Essay and Interview Question: “What Will You Bring to the Table?”
• Shadowing and the Interview: Build Your House with Bricks!

Spotlights »

Pre-Optometry Clubs Helping Their Campus & Community

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Another terrific article from ASCO’s Blog!  Should be helpful to pre-optometry clubs: Pre-Optometry Clubs are an excellent way for prospective optometry students to learn more about the optometry field and develop their interests. Pre-Optometry clubs can help undergraduate students in their application processes as well as help them gain mentors who share their same passions…. Read More ›

• I Chose SCCO
• Recent OD Grads Talk About What It’s Like to Own Their Own Practices
• 2015-16 Year in Review at MBKU

Technology at SCCO »

SCCO Installs VRmagic Medical Simulators On Campus

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As Marshall B. Ketchum University evolves into an interprofessional institution, it is preparing both its curriculum and technology for the future of medical education in which technology is especially important to learning and growth for both students and the university. What follows is a press release heralding the dedication of our new Sim Lab made… Read More ›

About the OAT »

Tips for the Standardized Test: Students’ Perspectives

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This is a discussion taken from SCCO’s Facebook Group for Pre-optometry Students.    Students talk about methods to improve scores on standardized tests, (i.e. the OAT).   Question:   I have trouble taking standardized tests.  They psych me out!  I’m worried about doing well on the OAT.   Any suggestions for how to study or overcome this issue?… Read More ›

• OAT Test-Taker Reflects on Experience
• Don’t Over-Think OAT Questions!
• Are Formulas Given for the OAT?

Clubs & Organizations »

Student Spouse Association: Campus Life at MBKU

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As the spouse of an OD student, you’ll find yourself in a practice examination chair on more than one occasion during the 4 years it takes you to get your SOD degree (Spouse of an OD).  Although you may not be the one studying for tests or taking exams, your role as the support staff… Read More ›

Connect with SCCO »

Parents with Questions? Here’s How Parents May Contact SCCO Admissions

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SCCO Admissions welcomes interactions with parents! Even though it is the student who wears the White Coat and goes to class, support from family members—especially parents—is vital to a student’s success. At Commencement, when the graduate steps up on that platform and receives their Doctor of Optometry degree, it is a victory for the whole… Read More ›

• How to Contact an Admissions Adviser
• Twitter for SCCO Admissions
• Meet Me: Eryn Kraning, Director of Admissions

Interprofessional Education »

Optometry and the Future of Health Care: Schools and Colleges Embrace Interprofessional Education

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“Optometry and the Future of Health Care: Schools and Colleges Embrace Interprofessional Education” from ASCO’s blog “Why interprofessional health care education?” As a pre-optometry student, it is the question you should be asking. In a nutshell the answer is, because the interprofessional team approach setting is how optometrists will be required to practice in the future…. Read More ›

• First Year OD and PA Students Participated in Poverty Simulation: Part of Course in Public Health
• The Answer: Interprofessional Education at MBKU

Ketchum Magazine »

Our Students Harness Grit to Excel

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With a topic that does indeed influence the way admissions committees evaluate canidates, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance  by Angela Duckworth is a New York Times bestseller. The message is one that confirms what admissions officers have learned through experience:  the secret to an applicant’s  achievement is not talent or academic prowess, but rather it… Read More ›

• Ketchum Magazine’s Fall 2016 Issue
• Practicing Goodwill: John Larcabal, OD, Assistant Professor
• Ketchum Magazine’s Inaugural Issue

OAT Prep »

OAT Prep: Test Takers’ Opinions on Kaplan, OAT Destroyer & Chad’s Videos

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Here’s a recent Facebook conversation between SCCO students with a pre-optometry student regarding OAT test-preparation: Melisa G (pre-optometry student):  I am debating on how to prepare for the OAT and I was wondering if someone could give me some advice based on their past experience with Kaplan or the OAT Destroyer? Did you feel studying… Read More ›

• OAT Reading Comprehension: Preparation Advice from OAT Test Takers
• OAT Preparation: SCCO’s FAQ
• Poll: How SCCO’s Incoming Students Prepared to Take the OAT

OptomCAS »

OptomCAS’ FAQ Page

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OptomCAS has an FAQ page that is well organized and very informative! Take charge or your OptomCAS application process by thoroughly reviewing  this page’s information: OptomCAS FAQs

Personal Statement »

Do’s and Don’ts of Writing a Memorable & Winning Personal Statement

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For all optometry school applicants busy writing personal statements, this article may help. I highly endorse its wisdom. ~ Jane Ann Munroe, O.D., Assistant Dean of Admissions, SCCO Written by Maggie Francisco, Optometry Student, SCCO, Class of 2016 According to Dr. Munroe, the goal of the personal statement is to show the admissions team mainly three… Read More ›

• 15 Reasons to Date an Optometrist: Great Personal Essay Material!
• Elevator Pitch–You Need One!

Resources for Pre-Optometry Students »

U.S. Navy’s Health Professions Scholarship

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Find out more about the scholarship program available through the U.S. Navy for pre-optometry students.

• AOSA Offers Membership to Pre-Optometry Students

Shadowing »

SCCO Alumni Shadowing Program for Pre-Optometry Students

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SCCO at Marshall B. Ketchum University is proud to announce a new program to assist pre-optometry students seeking shadowing experience. It’s been a long time in the making! Shadowing is key to both deciding if optometry is right for you and preparing to interview. Through this shadowing program of SCCO Alumni who have volunteered to… Read More ›

• Shadowing? Try the Informational Interview
• The “How-To Guide” to Effective Shadowing: A Student Perspective

Student Life »

Solar Eclipse Viewing Hosted by President, Dr. Kevin Alexander

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Always the teacher and student of astronomy, MBKU’s President, Dr. Kevin Alexander hosted MBKU students for the August 21, 2017, solar eclipse viewing. He brought his own personal telescope on campus for the event. Dr. Alexander is in the baseball hat and dark blue shirt:  

• SCCO Slide Show
• SCCO Students Travel for a SVOSH Humanitarian Trip
• ASCO’s Social Life in Optometry School: What’s it Like?

Student Events »

MBKU Students Deliver Free Care to Underserved in LA County at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena

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Here’s an example of how MBKU’s optometry students are involved in community service even in their very first year… MBKU’s Southern California College of Optometry doctors administered 1,298 eye exams to those in need at the annual Care Harbor event in Los Angeles.  Care Harbor LA, an annual event that brings together health care providers… Read More ›

• Spirit Week and Eye Ball Formal Dance Video
• White Coat Ceremony Video
• Special Olympics and MBKU