SCCO welcomes our neighbors to the north. Canadian students planning to attend grad school in the U.S. inherently have additional considerations when applying. Learn more about how SCCO helps Canadian students with the application process.
During the Admissions Process
Canadian applicants are evaluated with the same criteria as any other applicant. Please visit our How to Apply page for details.
Questions About GPAs Conversion & Prerequisite Course Requirements: U.S. terms such as “semesters,” “quarters,” and “grade points” may be confusing for the Canadian student. Information comparing Canadian to U.S. grading systems, along with other helpful general answers to FAQs can be found in the Canadian Counseling document.
We have pre-approved coursework, or Articulation Agreements, for several Canadian schools. Click here to access these documents. If you don’t see your school listed and you have a question about a prerequisite course suitability, feel free to email questions along with a course description to ODadmissions@ketchum.edu and we will be happy to assist.
SCCO accepts courses completed online for prerequisites that do not require a lab. Because of accreditation standards not accepted by SCCO, be advised that not all online programs are not acceptable. Read more about our Online Course Policy.
Join our monthly Virtual Presentations to learn more about SCCO or join talks specifically geared towards Canadian applicants. See event dates and RSVP here.
Making the Move to the U.S. After Acceptance
There is indeed planning ahead for the Canadian student transitioning to life and grad school in the U.S. We promise that you will have ample support from SCCO’s administration, faculty, and students—many of whom have gone through this process themselves. Here are a few resources to get you started:
- International Student Page: For detailed information pertaining to your arrival, health care, driving in the states and more, click here.
- Blog articles and videos from students who moved from out of the region, some without being able to visit the campus first: While not from Canada, these SCCO students who moved from a long distance share their experiences in two articles that provide support and resources for any matriculating student moving from a distance into the Southern California area:
- Comprehensive blog article written by a student to help fellow Canadians navigate their move to the States: This article provides answers to the questions such as “Do I need a U.S. driver’s license?” “Should I get a U.S. cell phone plan?,” “Do I need U.S. health Insurance?” and more. This article was written in 2017, and some information may have changed. Be encouraged to use her information as a catalyst for your own research.
- Click here to view the article.
Support While You’re a Student in SCCO’s Program
SCCO, part of MBKU, is a small community of around 400 optometry students. With around 100 students in your class, you’ll soon get to know everyone as friends and feel like part of the family in no time. While your classmates naturally help make SoCal feel like your home-away-from-home, we also have designated others to help with other specific questions incoming students may have:
- Peer Advisors Assigned to Every Incoming Student: For personal assistance, the Peer Advisor assigned to you will reach out as early as the spring/summer term that precedes fall matriculation. He or she will help with questions regarding housing, moving, and with most anything else you need. Access the Peer Advisor Blog and read various articles written to help all incoming students transition and get ready to make the most of their time at SCCO.
- Designated Director of International Student Services: Our Office of Student Affairs has an officer specifically designated to help our International students with concerns unique to Canadian students. If you need to speak with her, arrangements for a phone consultation may be made through ODadmissions@ketchum.edu. Once you’re here as a student, she welcomes you to stop by anytime to ask a quick question or just to say hello!
- Canadian Faculty Mentor: All new students are assigned a faculty mentor upon entering 1st year. Canadian students are specifically assigned to Canadian faculty mentor. This early connection allows Canadian students to ask questions on travel, immigration, navigating financial challenges and cultural differences they may encounter during their transition to a new country. Who better to be on their welcome team than someone who has lived the journey themselves?
- Virtual Presentation with SCCO Admissions: Want to learn more about SCCO and what it has to offer? SCCO’s Office of Admissions would be happy to arrange a virtual presentation for your pre-optometry club. Please email your request to ODadmissions@ketchum.edu.
