Applying 
Changes to SCCO’s Pre-Requisite Requirements for the Upcoming Admissions Cycle
(0)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 ›
Financial Aid 101: Making Sense of the Cost of an Optometric Education
As an admissions officer, I consult with many who are justifiably concerned with the potential costs of an optometric education. Most pre-optometry students research programs’ websites and use the fee for tuition as the key indicator and thus the cost basis for comparison. This is a mistake. Annual tuition cannot be used to compare schools because it does… Read More ›
15 Tips for Applying to Optometry School
Another great article hosted on ASCO’s blog. I agree with all of its wisdom: “Anyone familiar with the optometry school admissions process would say it’s more like a marathon than a sprint. One of the mileposts, by the way, is actually submitting the application to one or more schools through the online Optometry Centralized Application… Read More ›
Applying Through OptomCAS: Your Application Roadmap
It’s time to start working on your application for this year’s 2016-17 admissions cycle. To get you started, here’s a terrific article about applying through OptomCAS. The article provides tips on how to get your application completed, and then a detailed “roadmap” as to how your application will move through the various stages of the process…. Read More ›
Optometry: An Inspired Career Choice
As an admissions adviser, I direct applicants to resources that will help them with their applications. Here is such an article. It is hosted on ASCO’s blog and features three optometrists with distinctively different careers. Here is inspiration for your own essays when answering the question about why optometry is your choice. Here’s ASCO’s blog article: Three ODs discuss what led… Read More ›
Do’s and Don’ts of Writing a Memorable & Winning Personal Statement
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 ›
“Six Interview Mistakes” by Michael Neece, Monster.com Contributing Writer
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 ›
OptomCAS’ FAQ Page
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
15 Reasons to Date an Optometrist: Great Personal Essay Material!
Just for fun, I couldn’t resist posting this! Here’s an article from eHarmony.com about why it’s a good idea to date an optometrist. I’ll admit a bias about the truth to these reasons because I am an optometrist, but really, this is practical and valid information! Here’s what eHarmony says about optometrists: “They are the wonderful professionals… Read More ›
OAT Test-Taking Anxiety? Try Mindfulness
The process of getting into optometry school is inherently anxiety producing. When combined with life’s other 24/7 stress and distractions, it’s no wonder that I get so many distress calls from applicants—especially about the OAT and the stress of objective test-taking. In the past, I would listen compassionately and offer what I thought were practical tips… Read More ›
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