ADMISSIONS


FAQs

SCCO’s Admissions Office would be happy to answer any questions you may have, but here are a few that we get frequently. If you do not find the answer to your question here, please look around our website then email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  Answers refer to the O.D. program unless otherwise specified.


General Information

  1. What programs does SCCO offer?  Does SCCO have any dual programs?
  2. How much is tuition?
  3. Can I get Financial Aid?
  4. Is SCCO Accredited?
  5. Can I visit the campus?
  6. Does SCCO accept transfer or foreign students?
  7. Does SCCO offer scholarships?
  8. What is the student/faculty ratio at SCCO?
  9. Is SCCO visiting my school or Pre-Optometry Club?
  10. What events does SCCO have on campus for visitors?


Connecting with SCCO

  1. Email Us
  2. Advising By Phone
  3. Join Us on Facebook
  4. SCCO’s Blog on WordPress
  5. Check Us Out on YouTube
  6. Visit the Campus
  7. Explore Our Website
     

About Applying

  1. What is “Rolling Admissions?"
  2. Do I need my bachelor’s degree to apply to SCCO?
  3. Does it matter what school I graduate from or what major I choose?
  4. Is there a minimum GPA or OAT score?
  5. How can I make myself a competitive applicant?
  6. How should I study for the OAT?
  7. When should I take the OAT?
  8. Do OAT exam results expire?
  9. Can I get an advanced copy of the “Supplemental Application” essay questions for SCCO?
  10. Do prerequisite courses expire?
  11. Does SCCO require a high school transcript?
  12. Does SCCO accept AP credit?
  13. Can I take prerequisite courses online?
  14. Can I take prerequisite courses at a community college?
  15. Who should I ask to write my Letters of Recommendation (LORs)?
  16. What should I do if I’m not sure if my course satisfies the prerequisite requirement?
  17. Do all of my prerequisite courses need to be completed before I submit my application to OptomCAS?
  18. When does the application cycle begin & end for SCCO?
  19. How do I apply?
  20. How long after I submit my application to OptomCAS will I hear from SCCO?


Letters of Recommendation

  1. Can I Send a Committee Letter of Recommendation?
  2. Can I use a Letter Service?
  3. Can Advisors Use Virtual Evals?
  4. Can I Utilize the Letter Holding Service, Interfolio?
  5. Can LORs be co-signed by a Faculty and Teaching Assistant?
  6. May I specify which schools receive which LORs?
  7. One of my recommenders has procrastinated and the LOR is not ready for submission to OptomCAS. Will this hold up my chance to receive an interview invitation?
  8. I’m a year away from applying. I have a professor now who I’d like to have write an LOR for me. Can an LOR be written ahead of time?


Admissions & Interview Day

  1. Does SCCO do phone interviews?
  2. What is the interview day like?
  3. How should I prepare for the interview?
  4. What is the Alternate List?
  5. How does SCCO view Re-applicants?


Accepted Students

  1. What does the curriculum look like at SCCO?
  2. How early will I get to see patients?
  3. What are SCCO’s pass rates for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry Boards (NBEO Boards)?
  4. How does SCCO prepare students for the NBEO Board Exams?
  5. How does SCCO prepare students for getting a job after graduation?
  6. Can you please tell me more about the clinical program?
  7. What kinds of research opportunities are available to SCCO students?
  8. What percentage of students complete a residency program after graduation?
  9. What residencies does SCCO have to offer?
  10. Does SCCO require the purchase of a specific laptop?
  11. Does SCCO require optometric instrumentation to be purchased from SCCO?
  12. What are the library hours and what resources are available?
  13. Is there a recreational area or fitness facility on campus?


Around SCCO

  1. Is Fullerton a safe area?
  2. Are there fun things to do in the Fullerton area?
  3. Where do SCCO students live?
  4. Do I need a car if I come to SCCO or is there public transportation?

 


General Information

  1. What programs does SCCO offer? Does SCCO have any dual programs?
    SCCO has 2 programs currently with a third starting Fall 2014:
  2. How much is tuition?
  3. Can I get Financial Aid?
  4. Is SCCO Accredited?
    Yes. Historically, every accreditation site-visit by ACOE and WASC has resulted in full accreditation status. SCCO offers 18 different postdoctoral residency programs, with 32 residency positions. All programs are fully accredited and structured in accordance with the guidelines of the ACOE.
  5. Can I visit the campus?
    • Click here for Visitor Information.
    • Campus touring is arranged by appointment only.  For a hosted visit, email Eryn Kraning, Assistant Director of Admissions, (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) to set up an advising session or tour of the campus.
  6. Does SCCO accept transfer or foreign students?
    • Yes.  For information on our transfer policy, please refer to our Academic Catalog.
    • For more information regarding foreign students or foreign doctors seeking optometric licensure in the U.S., click here.
  7. Does SCCO offer scholarships?
    SCCO offers scholarships to accepted student. Click here to view ongoing scholarships.
  8. What is the student/faculty ratio at SCCO?
    Students learn in 3 different settings at SCCO: lecture, lab, and clinic. The ratio for lectures is 100:1, for labs it is 15-18:1, for clinic it is 5-8:1.
  9. Is SCCO visiting my school or Pre-Optometry Club?
    Click here to check our “SCCO on the Road” schedule. If your school is not yet listed, feel free to email us and see if a visit is in the works! .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
  10. What events does SCCO have on campus for visitors?
    Please see our “Admissions Events” page by clicking here.


Connecting with SCCO

  1. Email Us: Feel free to email us with questions about SCCO’s pre-requisites, the admissions process, or about anything else on your mind. We have information to answer your questions available that we can email to you at any time. Dr. Jane Ann Munroe, Director of Admissions: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Eryn Kraning, Asst. Director of Admissions: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
  2. Advising By Phone: If you would like a one-on-one counseling session, we’re happy to schedule phone calls to discuss your questions. Please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with your questions, date and time of your availability, and phone number. We will make an appointment for a counseling session by phone.
  3. Join Us on Facebook: Dr. Jane Ann Munroe, SCCO’s Director of Admissions, hosts a Pre-Optometry club on Facebook. She along with SCCO students answer questions from prospective students. It is a great way to converse with students in our program, as well as receive up-to-date news of what’s going on at SCCO. Search Facebook for the “Official Pre-Optometry Group Southern California College of Optometry”. http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/SCCOadmissions/
  4. SCCO’s Blog on WordPress: Topics on a variety of subjects related to the admissions process and student life are discussed here:  optometryadmissions.com.
  5. Check Us Out on YouTube: SCCO has a series on YouTube with new episodes added regularly. Video themes range from Student Life to Admissions Tips. YouTube keyword Search “SCCO.” http://www.youtube.com/user/janeannmunroe#g/u
  6. Visit the Campus: The Spring Admissions Open House and Summer Admissions Workshops are excellent ways to get involved with our community. If those dates do not work for you or you would prefer an individual tour during the school year, contact Eryn Kraning (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) to set something up!
  7. Explore Our Website: You’re already on the website, but here are a few other key places to explore and learn more about our program and community:


About Applying

  1. What is “Rolling Admissions?"
  2. Do I need my bachelor’s degree to apply to SCCO?
    Yes.  You must have completed your degree before you begin classes at SCCO; however, you may apply while you are still finishing courses.
  3. Does it matter what school I graduate from or what major I choose?
  4. Is there a minimum GPA or OAT score?
  5. How can I make myself a competitive applicant?
  6. How should I study for the OAT?
    Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and request the FAQ ”OAT Preparation and Scores”.
  7. When should I take the OAT?
    You may take the OAT anytime, but because SCCO is on rolling admissions, the sooner you submit your application with OAT scores the better your chances are of getting an interview.  Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and request the FAQ ”Timeline Strategy for Taking the OAT”.
  8. Do OAT exam results expire?
    Yes.  The OAT must be taken within two years of the opening date for any admissions cycle.  OptomCAS determines the opening date for each admissions cycle.  It generally falls on July 1st of each year.
  9. Can I get an advanced copy of the “Supplemental Application” essay questions for SCCO?
    Yes, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and request the FAQ ”Essay Questions”.
  10. Do prerequisite courses expire?
    No.
  11. Does SCCO require a high school transcript?
    Yes. Click here for more information.
  12. Does SCCO accept AP credit?
    Yes. Click here for more information.
  13. Can I take prerequisite courses online?
    Yes, as long as the school is regionally accredited and the courses do not require a lab. Labs must be completed in a classroom setting.  Virtual labs are not acceptable.
  14. Can I take prerequisite courses at a community college?
    Yes, as long as the school is properly accredited. Click here for details.
  15. Who should I ask to write my Letters of Recommendation (LORs)?
    SCCO suggests that you obtain LORs written by 1) an Optometrist, 2) a Faculty member, and 3) a Personal reference such as an employer—someone who has known you over a long period of time. These are suggestions for a balanced LOR portfolio.  There is no mandatory LOR source.  Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and request the FAQ ”LOR Sources”.
  16. What should I do if I’m not sure if my course satisfies the prerequisite requirement?
    First, check our list of Articulation Agreements to see if your school is there. If not, click here for more information on prerequisite course approval.
  17. Do all of my prerequisite courses need to be completed before I submit my application to OptomCAS?
    No. In order to submit your application, you do not need to have completed your degree, or your prerequisite courses, you just need to be on track to do so.  Prerequisites must be completed before you begin classes at SCCO mid-August.
  18. When does the application cycle begin & end for SCCO?
    SCCO’s cycle runs from July 1st to March 15th.
  19. How do I apply?
    SCCO only accepts applications through OptomCAS. To fill out an application, go to www.optomcas.org.
  20. How long after I submit my application to OptomCAS will I hear from SCCO?
    Around 4-5 weeks. After you hit “submit”, your application goes to OptomCAS. It takes them about 3 weeks to verify the information and send it to the various schools. Once we receive your application from OptomCAS, you will get an email requesting that you pay the supplemental fee. Once you pay the fee, SCCO’s review process will begin and usually takes about a week. If you have not heard from SCCO a week after paying your supplemental application fee, contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for an update on your status.


Letters of Recommendation

  1. Can I Send a Committee Letter of Recommendation?
    Yes, SCCO will accept a Committee Letter and Composite Letters. It counts as one LOR.

    Some pre-health advising offices compile academic/personal information and will also coordinate the collection of LORs in order to provide a "Committee Letter" for pre-optometry students. If the Committee Letter of Recommendation is a compilation from several individuals and contains one Recommendation Request Form and one letter, it will be considered as one LOR. The pre-health advisor or individual writing the recommendation must complete the rating of attributes on the Recommendation Request Form; OptomCAS will accept the name of a college pre-health profession advisor in lieu of the evaluator(s) on the recommendation form.
  2. Can I use a Letter Service?
    College and university letter services may submit recommendations to OptomCAS.

    However, applicants who are submitting letters through college and university letter services cannot submit letters that are dated more than two years (24 months) prior to the opening of the current OptomCAS session. As an example, for the 2009-2010 admissions cycle, only letters filed through a college and university letter service from July 15, 2007 and onward will be considered.

    If you are submitting LORs through a letter service, you are strongly encouraged to have the original author(s) of the LORs complete the rating of attributes, which is Part I of the Recommendation Request Form.

    Please note that while OptomCAS will accept the rating of attributes, which is Part I of the Recommendation Request Form, from a college official who is a designee for the college or university's letter service office, applicants should also check with the individual programs for which they plan to apply to confirm that Recommendation Request Forms completed by a third-party will be accepted.
  3. Can Advisors Use Virtual Evals?
    No, OptomCAS will not receive LORs through Virtual Evals.
  4. Can I Utilize the Letter Holding Service, Interfolio?
    OptomCAS does accept recommendations from Interfolio or letter packets. Create a “paper” recommendation account in the application under your advisor’s name and then, send the packet into OptomCAS. OptomCAS will not accept electronic files from Interfolio.
  5. Can LORs be co-signed by a Faculty and Teaching Assistant?
    Yes, a LOR from a teaching assistant must be co-signed by a faculty person. This requirement applies not only to the LOR (Part II of the requirement) but to the rating of attributes (Part I of the requirement) as well. Make sure there is a double signature line on both Part I and II for signatures from both the teaching assistant and the professor. This LOR cannot be submitted electronically. It must be submitted through the U.S. mail.
  6. May I specify which schools receive which LORs?
    All LORs submitted will be sent to all schools. There is no option to discern which schools get which LORs.
  7. One of my recommenders has procrastinated and the LOR is not ready for submission to OptomCAS. Will this hold up my chance to receive an interview invitation?
    No. Should you qualify for an interview invitation, you would be given the opportunity to interview even though you have a missing LOR. Should you interview well and be accepted, as a condition of your acceptance, the missing LOR would need to be supplied through OptomCAS.

    Recommenders can be notorious procrastinators. Never hold up submitting your application because of a recommender who doesn’t have an LOR ready.
  8. I’m a year away from applying. I have a professor now who I’d like to have write an LOR for me. Can an LOR be written ahead of time?
    You cannot collect LORs in advance and hold them. In your situation, the best thing to do would be to ask the professor to go ahead and compose an LOR and store it electronically. Explain to the professor that along with your application, you will submit their contact information and that OptomCAS will contact them with instructions to upload the LOR.

    Explain also to the professor that they will be required to fill out the “rating of attributes” form along with the LOR. They will have to remember enough about you to complete this form which asks questions about various personal aspects of the applicant. Some of the information is done with checkboxes (objective aspect) and some with comments (subjective aspect).

    If either the professor or you think this will not be possible, for the professor to be able to provide this additional information in a year’s time, then you’d be best advised to wait to get an LOR from a recommender who can do so. Perhaps selecting another recommender and a more current LOR would be a better option.


Admissions & Interview Day

  1. Does SCCO do phone interviews?
    No. SCCO conducts interviews in person, on campus only.
  2. What is the interview day like?
    Your interview time slot will be 4 hours long, usually on a Friday or Saturday in either a morning or afternoon time slot. It will consist of: writing a 20 minute essay, a 45 minute interview with 2 panelists, a Financial Aid briefing, Q&A session with a current student, and a brief meeting with the VP of Student Affairs. You will also be treated to lunch with faculty, staff and students to learn more about community at SCCO.
  3. How should I prepare for the interview?
    Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and request the FAQs ”Interview Etiquette and Importance of Appearance” and "Overcoming the Nervous Interview".
  4. What is the Alternate List?
    Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and request the FAQ ”Alternate List Explained".
  5. How does SCCO view Re-applicants?


Accepted Students

  1. What does the curriculum look like at SCCO?
    SCCO’s curriculum is broken down by year, and can be found on our website by clicking here.
  2. How early will I get to see patients?
    SCCO's Enhancement Program is where 1st year students work with upperclassmen in an observation capacity.  Students see their very first patient in the Eye Care Center in the 2nd quarter of the second year.
  3. What are SCCO’s pass rates for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry Boards (NBEO Boards)?
    SCCO’s students score well above the national average on the NBEO Exams.  For information on how SCCO’s students score on the NBEO Exams, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and ask for specifics.
  4. How does SCCO prepare students for the NBEO Board Exams?
    Third year students take NBEO exams in their second quarter. SCCO provides a little more than three weeks of study time to prepare for these exams. During these three weeks, students have no lectures; however, they still must complete their patient care responsibilities in clinic. SCCO students can opt to take a NBEO exam preparation course offered by KMK Educational Services. Visit their website at http://www.kmkedu.com for more information.
  5. How does SCCO prepare students for getting a job after graduation?
    SCCO emphasizes the importance of understanding the business of practicing optometry.  To date, SCCO has more practice management curriculum hours in its program than any other school. Students are required to take several practice management courses, and are encouraged to join the Private Practice Club on campus. We also have the Practice Management Center available for all SCCO Alumni.
  6. Can you please tell me more about the clinical program?
    • To check out the Eye Care Center's website, go to www.sccoeyecare.com.
    • SCCO's Outreach Clinical Program has been cited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) of the American Optometric Association as "unparalleled in optometric clinical education." Fourth-year SCCO students perform four three-month rotations –- one on campus at the Eye Care Center and the other three at one of 81 outreach clinical sites. Students decide on which sites they want based on their specific interests, allowing them to tailor the last year of their education to meet their needs. SCCO's clinical sites span the United States. We also have sites in Canada, Guam and Japan. SCCO's clinical facilities have been very successful in supplying the necessary patient base and as a result, an intern will see upwards of 1,800 patients before graduation. SCCO’s Outreach Program is world-renown.
  7. What kinds of research opportunities are available to SCCO students?
    The Southern California College of Optometry has a strong track record of research, including that undertaken by faculty and students. Research projects at SCCO represent a broad spectrum of disciplines within vision research. These include the areas of pediatric optometry and binocular vision, cornea and contact lenses, ocular disease, rehabilitative vision and professional curriculum development. Click here for more information.
  8. What percentage of students complete a residency program after graduation?
    The number varies each year, but typically around 1/3 of our students go on to residency programs.
  9. What residencies does SCCO have to offer?
    Click here for more information.
  10. Does SCCO require the purchase of a specific laptop?
    You are not required to purchase a laptop for use at SCCO. We have 2 computer labs on campus that are available to students.   SCCO is fully Wi-Fi enabled.
  11. Does SCCO require optometric instrumentation to be purchased from SCCO?
    SCCO’s Campus Store collaborates with faculty members and vendors to provide our students with the best equipment at the most affordable cost. Students are automatically billed each quarter for the instrumentation and materials needed for that quarter, then provided with the materials. An engraving machine is available free of charge to students in the Campus Store to personalize equipment.
  12. What are the library hours and what resources are available?
    SCCO has four full-time library staff members who are available to assist students. For more information regarding hours of operation and resources, click here to visit the library’s website.
  13. Is there a recreational area or fitness facility on campus?
    Yes. SCCO’s fitness center and locker rooms are located next to the parking structure, and access is included in tuition. They feature cardio equipment, free weights, weights machines, and flat screen TVs. The men’s and women’s locker rooms have lockers, restrooms, and showers. If you prefer to exercise outdoors, there are many hiking and biking trailheads near campus, and a recreational park just up the street.


Around SCCO

  1. Is Fullerton a safe area?
    Yes. SCCO is located in a suburban neighborhood. Our 7 acre campus borders Cal State Fullerton, a fire station, apartments/condos/homes, and a greenbelt with a stream. It is not uncommon to see our students or Cal State students walking home from campus late at night. As an extra measure to ensure that our students feel safe anytime, we have Security Guards on campus 24/7 who constantly monitor the grounds. 
  2. Are there fun things to do in the Fullerton area?
    See for yourself - click here.
  3. Where do SCCO students live?
    Over half of our students live within a mile of campus in the many apartments, condos and homes surrounding the campus. SCCO has a housing list that we are happy to provide for you upon request to get a better idea of cost of living in Southern California. Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for the Housing List.
  4. Do I need a car if I come to SCCO or is there public transportation?
    SCCO is located in an affordable, safe, residential area where pedestrian traffic is common. Within a mile of campus there are a few grocery stores, pharmacies, countless places to eat, and a few department stores. Everything you need is within walking distance, but to get to the beach, mountains, Los Angeles, etc. you will need a car or know someone who has one.
     

Featured Links:

Still have questions?  Click here


Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to request any of the following FAQs:

  1. GPA Evaluation and P/NP Policy
  2. OAT Preparation and Scores
  3. Timeline Strategy for Taking the OAT
  4. Raising your GPA and Repeat/Delete Policy
  5. Alternate List Explained
  6. Early Decision Qualification
  7. The Academics- The First Qualifying Round
  8. The Interview- The Second Qualifying Round
  9. Interview Etiquette and Importance of Appearance
  10. Overcoming the Nervous Interview
  11. LOR Sources and OptomCAS
  12. Shadowing—Tips and Strategies

 



Admissions