Admission Information
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Admissions
To apply to the University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO), you must first submit an application through OptomCAS, the Optometry Centralized Application Service (www.otomcas.org). This service streamlines the application process and opens for application submission on July 1 of each year. Applications should be completed and all required material submitted by March 31. Any application not received by this deadline will not be reviewed by the admissions committee. In addition to the OptomCAS applications, candidates must also complete the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) or other pre-health professions entrance examination (MCAT or DAT). The entrance examinations are designed to measure general academic ability and understanding of scientific information. Information about the OAT, registration, sample tests, and instructions can be found at www.opted.org. The admissions committee will review the submitted application, OAT test scores, academic performance, exposure to the optometry profession, and letters of evaluation to select 60 highly qualified students for each class.
Requirements for Admission
Applicants will be considered for admission when the following criteria are accomplished:
• Successful completion of a minimum of 90 semester hours of college coursework from an accredited institution of higher learning
• A grade of C or better must be achieved in all prerequisite courses
• A recommended minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale*
• A recommended minimum overall Optometry Admission Test score of 300 or above the 50 percentile on other entrance examinations made available to the University of Pikeville, Kentucky College of Optometry
• Two letters of recommendation from sources in the following combination:
• A health care provider letter (preferably an O.D. who is a member of the American Optometric Association). This letter is required along with one of the following:
• Pre-health care professional advisor or committee member
• A Science faculty member.
*In exceptional cases the strength of the overall application may warrant consideration of a lower GPA or OAT score.
A candidate may apply while in the process of completing prerequisites; however, all requirements must be completed prior to matriculating. All courses must have been completed within 10 years of the first day of classes for the entering student. However, the applicant can furnish evidence to the Admissions Committee of command of current knowledge in topics that do not meet the 10-year criteria. Questions or for additional information contact:
University of Pikeville
Kentucky College of Optometry
Attention: Admissions Office
147 Sycamore Street Pikeville, KY 41501
Telephone: (606) 218-5520