How to Apply to SCCO

The 2024-25 cycle has closed. For the 2025-26 cycle, SCCO accepts applications from July 1, 2025 - March 15, 2026 to be considered for the class that begins August 2026. To meet the Fall 2026 deadline, comply with the OptomCAS deadlines for submission of all requirements, including undergraduate transcripts. Please note, OptomCAS operates on EST, so your application must be submitted by 8:59pm PST on the date of the deadline.

The OAT and other standardized tests must have been taken by March 15, 2025, to be considered for our final Interview Date in April. 

It is not necessary to have completed all prerequisite requirements or your degree/ minimum number of units before you apply. Applying with missing prerequisite requirements or degree/ minimum units will not affect your competitiveness as long as you are on track to complete all academic requirements no later than August 4, 2025, for Fall 2025 matriculation.

SCCO utilizes OptomCAS, the centralized application service for all optometry programs in the US and Puerto Rico.

SCCO requires a supplemental application in addition to the centralized application. The supplemental essay questions are included in the OptomCAS application; therefore, when you have completed the OptomCAS application, you have also completed the supplemental application. 

To apply, you will submit all official transcripts to OptomCAS for every college, university, or professional school attended. If you have foreign transcripts, they will need to be evaluated before you have them sent to OptomCAS. After you have been accepted, you will need to have all official transcripts sent directly to MBKU.

Effective starting 2023-24 cycle, SCCO requires two LORs. An Optometrist or Ophthalmologist must complete one recommendation, but an Optometrist is preferred. The other source may be selected by the applicant. Appropriate sources could be an employer (past or present), faculty member (science or otherwise), supervisor where the applicant volunteers, etc. Applicants may submit up to two additional letters for a maximum of four, but only two are required. LORs are submitted by the recommender(s) directly to OptomCAS. Committee letters will be accepted.

The OAT is the preferred test; however, the MCAT and DAT may be substituted. To submit your application through OptomCAS, it is not necessary to have taken the OAT or other standardized tests; however, to advance in the process onto the interview phase, official test scores must be received. In short, you may apply ahead of taking one of these tests, but will not advance in the process until official scores are assessed. Applicants are advised to complete one of these tests before or soon after applying.

We highly recommend shadowing in a few different locations, however, there is no minimum number of shadowing hours. For more information regarding shadowing objectives and our Alumni Shadowing Program, visit the shadowing section of our Admissions blog.

This document will be printed for your interviewer to have in front of them during your interview if you are offered one. We recommend following a standard resume format, 1-2 pages in length, and listing some of the most important things you listed in the "Experiences" section of your application.

Please crop the photo tight to your face before uploading to OptomCAS, similar to how you would for a passport photo.

From the time you hit “submit” on your application, it can take up to four weeks before SCCO receives the verified application from OptomCAS. After we receive your application, you will be prompted via email to pay SCCO’s secondary, non-refundable application fee of $50.00. Payment of this fee initiates the review process.

A criminal background check is required after a provisional acceptance. Please note that a conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from admission. For more information, please see Note for All Applicants Regarding Criminal History. Prior to licensure, each state board will also review a CBC. The California State Board of Optometry has a FAQ if you would like more information: Applying for Licensure with a Conviction or Past Disciplinary Action.

SCCO conducts holistic reviews through two serial “qualifying rounds.” Once both rounds are successfully completed, an applicant is offered a seat in the incoming class of approximately 100 students. Click here to learn more about what SCCO looks for in Competitive Applicants.

Everything is reviewed thoroughly during this evaluation. To advance, academic qualifications must be met. We base this on the strength of your GPAs and standardized test scores, while also factoring in things such as academic patterns and trends, time spent on employment or experiences while also completing coursework, etc. Competitive applicants are advised to have an overall GPA of at least 3.00 and OAT section scores of at least 300, however, all applications will be reviewed. 

Once you successfully pass the first round, you will be invited for an interview. It is through this process that we assess your personal and professional potential. SCCO conducts "open-file" interviews, so interviewers prepare by reviewing your entire application, including your grades, test scores, experiences, essays, resume/ curriculum vitae (CV), and letters of recommendation.