Joint Degree Program

[ac05]

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I'm not sure what other optometry schools offer this option, but SUNY does, it is a three year undergraduate, four year optometry school program. I was accepted to this program when I applied in the senior year of high school. Now I will be going through the optometry application process in August for Fall 2006 admission. I was uncertain as to what degree I was accepted into the program. Do I have the same chance as any one who is not in the program, or am I basically accepted unless I do really badly somewhere. Thanks for the help 🙂

 

[PLPrincess]

I'm not sure what other optometry schools offer this option, but SUNY does, it is a three year undergraduate, four year optometry school program. I was accepted to this program when I applied in the senior year of high school. Now I will be going through the optometry application process in August for Fall 2006 admission. I was uncertain as to what degree I was accepted into the program. Do I have the same chance as any one who is not in the program, or am I basically accepted unless I do really badly somewhere. Thanks for the help 🙂

My university is affiliated with NECO, and I just got accepted into their optometry school this year. We had a minimum GPA requirement of 3.2 I think in order to remain in the program and everything else needed to be "satisfactory". My advisor kept telling me that you REALLY needed to be an outstanding student in order to get accepted a year early, but I don't really consider myself to be that outstanding. I did however have a decent GPA and 3+ years of optometric experience. My OAT scores were def. lacking though, to this day i'm amazed that i got in. Anyway, let me know if I can answer any other questions, i'm sure the programs are similar.

Good lucK!

 

[rpames]

Most joint programs like that have a minimum GPA requirement to stay in the program. If you maintain that GPA, you are automatically accepted. It probably has a minimum OAT score also, but those numbers could probably be found in your literature somewhere.

Good luck!

 

[ac05]

Thanks for your help, The information that was given to me said that SUNY "would like" to see scores around 320, so I don't know if that would be the cutoff, or if it is more flexible. I hope it is, I think I forgot most of general chem, general bio and organic chem haha.

My pre health advisor told me that there were only two people in my year that are in the program, me and someone else, so i don't know if that makes my chances a little better..still wondering 😴

 

[PLPrincess]

Thanks for your help, The information that was given to me said that SUNY "would like" to see scores around 320, so I don't know if that would be the cutoff, or if it is more flexible. I hope it is, I think I forgot most of general chem, general bio and organic chem haha.

My pre health advisor told me that there were only two people in my year that are in the program, me and someone else, so i don't know if that makes my chances a little better..still wondering 😴

I think most schools "would like" to see scores around 320, however if you're below that you won't automatically be denied...I think it all depends on the overal picture, for me the GPA and experience picture were great, but the OAT score wasn't anything to be proud of.

I don't remember NECO ever mentioning that there was a minimum score to get accepted, but everyone did keep repeating that you needed to be an "outstanding candidate". I really doubt that you automatically get accepted if your school is affiliated with an optometry school. I have heard of other people that weren't accepted to NECO even though we had the affiliation.

 

[redjb]

I did the program through SUNY. I am now a second year there. 🙂 I didn't enter the program until after I started undergrad, but the program was developed for you to be accepted as a senior in hs. You should have received some requirements from your undergrad in terms of what grades you need to get and which courses you get to skip (since you get optometry credit for them). If you haven't met these grade requirements, don't worry too much. Also, if you have any questions talk to Dr. Johnston. He is pretty helpful. But it is really important to make sure your undergrad knows what's going on. I think being in this program is really to your advantage for getting into school. It shows that you have been thinking about becoming an optometrist for a long time and are genuinely interested in it. Also, apply early! Good luck. 👍

 

[PreOptMegs]

I am in UMSL's 3 + 4 program which is linked to the College of Optometry through the Honors college. I don't know how much it is going to help me get in. I mean, I apply this year and I still have to get a minimum OAT score. I definately don't get admission just because I am in this program, although I am sure it won't hurt.

 

[vtrain]

Im one of those who got an early acceptance at NECO (funny, a couple of years ago, it was NEWENCO for short - I guess times change). If I could do it again, I would have finished 4th yr undergrad and then matriculated. There really is no rush. As for being an outstanding candidate, I dont think I was at all. My gpa was slightly higher than average and my board scores were good. Limited experience in optometry - just shadowed here and there.