Number of Optometry School Applicants Increases

ASCO reported a 3.0% increase in the number of applicants to the schools and colleges of optometry compared to the same period last year. In the 2015-2016 application cycle, a total of 13,620 applications were submitted by 2,812 applicants. OptomCAS, the Optometry Centralized Application Service, received the highest number of applications ever — an increase of 2.7% from last cycle. On average, each applicant applied to 4.84 schools and colleges. A full report on the 2015-2016 application cycle will be available at the end of the year. OptomCAS launched its eighth application cycle (2016-2017) on June 29, 2016. All 23 ASCO member schools and colleges participate in OptomCAS.

For answers to questions about the applicant pool and OptomCAS, visit www.optomcas.org or e-mail Paige Pence, ASCO Director of Student and Residency Affairs.