Good afternoon! Hope you are continuing to be safe and healthy. At this time, all of our schools and colleges of optometry are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation. Each institution is following their state’s recommendations and individual protocols regarding this threat.
Current Updates
OAT Exam
The OAT exam is now being administered by Prometric at a 50% capacity. Important information is listed below:
General Prometric Information: www.prometric.com/corona-virus-update
Open Prometric Sites: www.prometric.com/site-openings
Closed Prometric Sites: www.prometric.com/closures
To schedule or reschedule the OAT exam: https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/oat
For the most up-to-date information on the OAT: https://www.ada.org/en/oat
OptomCAS
Application Cycle 2019-2020 – CLOSES JUNE 15, 2020
The OptomCAS application for the 2019-2020 cycle will remain open until June 15, 2020 (original date was May 27) to allow applicants who are still applying more time to submit their application. Please check the OptomCAS website for each institution’s deadline. OptomCAS continues to process applications without any interruption. Additional information for applicants can be found at https://help.liaisonedu.com/COVID-19.
Application Cycle 2020-2021 – OPENS JUNE 30, 2020
Launch Date: The 2020-2021 OptomCAS application cycle will launch as planned on June 30, 2020.
Unofficial Transcripts: OptomCAS will accept unofficial transcripts due to the interruptions and delays that undergraduate institutions are experiencing. Instructions for this process will be included on the OptomCAS application once it launches.
COVID-19 Related Questions: The following COVID-19 related questions will be part of the OptomCAS application.
· Did your institution move to offering only an online curriculum during the COVID-19 crisis? If yes, what classes/labs were affected? Please include what semesters.
· Did you have an opportunity to receive a letter grade for any of your courses taken during the COVID-19 crisis? If yes, please include courses.
· How has the COVID-19 crisis impacted your pathway to optometry school through your academic, professional and personal life? How have you responded to these changes?
COVID-19 Admissions Updates from the Schools and Colleges of Optometry
(virtual interviews, OAT and other standardized exams, online courses and pass/fail grades)
Our schools and colleges of optometry are currently working on their admissions processes to accommodate applicants who have been impacted by COVID-19. For up-to-date admissions information for each of our schools and colleges of optometry, please click here. If you have other questions, please contact the institutions directly.
Optometry Virtual Fair – June 2, 2020
Join us on June 2nd to learn all about optometry and to have any general and COVID-19-related admissions questions answered by our schools and colleges of optometry. Registration is open!
We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.