I know I should apply early, but I don’t have all my application contents ready to submit. 
Should I submit my application anyway?

To be able to apply through OptomCAS, you will need:

• Essays completed
• Transcripts for all college-level work completed so far
• Be prepared to pay the OptomCAS fee
• Recommenders for your LORs email contact information (note, submitting LORs is optional)

To submit your application, you do not need to have taken the OAT. This step may be completed later as your application remains “open” all season.

If you have taken the OAT, your scores will be automatically uploaded to your application; therefore, there is no need to send your OAT scores to our program specifically. Unofficial scores submitted by an applicant will not be considered.

Awaiting fall grades should not affect your decision to submit your application early. It is best to submit your application early, and should the admissions committee desire to see your fall grades, you will be notified and your application will be placed on hold until your fall grades are available through OptomCAS.

How do I update my OptomCAS application with fall grades?

OptomCAS will allow you to update a submitted application with fall grades through a process called an “Academic Update” (check with OptomCAS for these specific dates which vary with each admissions cycle). You must submit an official transcript before OptomCAS will send a revision out to the optometry programs to which you applied.

Fall term grades are the only grades that may be utilized to update your application. If you have already received an acceptance from SCCO, you will not be required to update your application with fall grades through OptomCAS. Instead, you are required to submit official copies of all transcripts to SCCO prior to matriculation. If you have not received an acceptance from SCCO by the time your fall grades are available, you are strongly

encouraged to utilize the revision option to update your application through OptomCAS.

I haven’t completed the prerequisite requirements and am still a year away from completing
my undergraduate degree. Can I still apply?

Yes. It is the rule rather than the exception that most applicants have not finished SCCO’s pre-requisite requirements. You must, however, be on track to complete the pre-requisite requirements before beginning fall classes at SCCO.

Applicants have, through the summer term that directly precedes the beginning of the fall term at SCCO, to complete the pre-requisite requirements. Pre-requisite courses must be finished and transcripted by Orientation Day which is mid-August of each school year. Check with SCCO’s admissions office for the exact calendar date.

I haven’t completed the prerequisite requirements and am still a year away from completing
my undergraduate degree. Can I still apply?

Each time SCCO receives new OAT test scores, your application is updated; therefore, it is more efficient to submit your application even if you plan to retake the OAT, which allows SCCO to begin processing the rest of your application. Having the preliminary processing complete and awaiting only one component, such as updated OAT scores, is the best way to prevent further delay.

What is the latest date that I can submit my application?

Important Deadlines

• The last date to take the OAT is March 15.
• The deadline for submitting an application to SCCO through OptomCAS is March 15.
• The supplemental application fee to SCCO must be paid by March 15.

Please be advised to follow up with OptomCAS to make sure they are in receipt of all materials you are required to submit. This is an ongoing responsibility on your part as you work through the admissions season.