• Home
  • Prospective Students
    • About Optometry
    • Admissions
      • Academic Information
        • Prerequisite Courses
        • Recommended Pre-Optometry Course Sequence
      • Deadlines
      • How to Apply
        • State Residency Certification
      • International Students
      • Become a Competitive Applicant
      • Tips for Applicants
    • Events for Prospective Students
      • Discover Optometry
      • Success in Sight (High School Program)
      • Eye on Success (College Program)
    • Get to Know SCO
      • FAQS
      • College Catalog
      • Curriculum
      • Interactive Tour
      • Student/Graduate Achievement
      • Quick Facts
    • Online Information Sessions
    • Scholarships and Financial Aid
      • Scholarship Opportunities
      • Student Debt Calculator
    • SCO Visits Your Campus
    • Student Life
      • Living in Memphis
      • Housing Virtual Marketplace
      • Student Life Blogs
      • Student Organizations
        • Student Ambassadors
      • Student Testimonials
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Why SCO?
      • ASCO Profile
      • Choosing an Optometry School
      • Student/Graduate Achievement
      • Profile of Entering Class
      • Residencies
      • The Eye Center
        • Video Tour of The Eye Center
    • Contact Student Services
      • Enrollment Services
      • Counseling Services
    • Request Information
    • Visit SCO
      • Transportation Options
      • Interactive Tour
  • Current Students
    • Official Academic Calendar
    • College Catalog
    • Externship Program
      • Preceptor Spotlight
    • Financial Aid
      • Applying for Financial Aid
        • Financial Aid Forms
      • Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN)
      • Financial Aid Deadlines
      • Financial Aid FAQS
      • Financial Aid Handbook
      • Financial Aid for International Students
      • Financial Aid Resources
        • Debt Calculator
        • Glossary of Basic Loan Terms
        • Scholarship Search Sites
        • Standard Student Budget
      • Types of Financial Aid
      • Scholarships
    • Hayes Center for Practice Excellence
      • Optometry’s Practice Connection
      • Practice of Excellence Award
      • Summer Shadowing Contest
      • Resources
    • Residency Programs
      • Admission to Residency Programs
      • Online Residency Application
      • Our Residency Programs
        • Appelbaum Eye Care Associates, PC
        • Bond-Wroten Eye Clinic
        • Bowersox Vision Center, PSC
        • Children's Hospital Colorado
        • Community Health Centers of the Central Coast, Inc.
        • Draisin Vision Group
        • Duke University
        • Eye Specialty Group/Southern College of Optometry
        • Eyecare Professionals, P.C.
        • Family Eyecare Associates, P.C.
        • Gainesville Eye Associates
        • Georgia Eye Partners
        • Greenville VA Outpatient Clinic
        • James H. Quillen VA Medical Center
        • Louisiana Family Eyecare
        • Memphis VA Medical Center
        • Moyes Eye Center
        • Neuro-Vision Associates of North Texas
        • Ochsner Clinic
        • Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
        • Paul Vision Institute
        • Salem VA Medical Center
        • SouthEast Eye Specialists
        • SCO, Residency in Vision Rehab, with Emphasis in Low Vision Rehab and Ocular Disease
        • SCO, Residency in Vision Rehabilitation, with Emphasis in Brain Injury Rehabilitation
        • The Eye Center at SCO Pediatric Optometry, with Emphasis in Vision Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation
        • The Eye Center Primary Care Optometry, w Emphasis in Family Practice Optometry and Ocular Disease
        • The Eye Center at SCO & Christian Brothers University
        • Toyos Clinic
        • W. G. Hefner VA Medical Center
        • WJB Dorn VA Medical Center
        • Woolfson Eye Institute
        • Wow Vision Therapy
      • 2022-23 SCO Residency Programs (PDF)
      • Residency Spotlight
    • Student Handbook
    • Student Organizations
      • Ambassadors
    • Student Resources
      • Tech Support
        • ExamSoft
        • IRIS
        • Panopto
        • Moodle
      • Communications
      • Counseling Services
      • Credential Request
      • Disabilities Services
      • Enrollment Services
      • Library
      • Student Webmail
      • Curriculum Hours Verification
      • Security
      • Transcript Request
      • External Degrees
    • Meet Our Faculty
    • Summer Research Fellowship
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Achievement Awards
    • Alumni News
      • Alumni Birth and Wedding Registry
        • Alumni Birth and Wedding Registry Submissions
    • Alumni Spotlight
    • Alumni Services
      • Alumni Email
      • Credential Request
      • Curriculum Hours Verification
      • Transcript Request
      • Placement Service
      • Alumni Information Update
    • Continuing Education
      • Online CE Course Library
        • Online CE Instructors
        • Online CE Library Financial Disclosures
      • Upcoming Events
    • Hayes Center for Practice Excellence
    • SCOnline Alumni Newsletter
    • Visions Alumni Magazine
  • Ways to Give
    • Give to SCO
      • Give Now
      • Donor Impact
      • Planned Giving
      • Circle of Sight: Giving Societies
      • Contact Us
    • Employee Giving: Together We Can Do Great Things
      • Impact
  • About SCO
    • Who We Are
      • Mission Statement
      • Department Directory
      • Leadership
        • Board of Trustees Bios
        • President
        • Organization Chart
        • President Emeritus
      • Our Clinics
      • Community Engagement & Outreach
      • Strategic Plan
        • Strategic Plan Booklet
      • Program Outcomes: Student/Graduate Achievement
        • Retention and Graduation Rates
        • NBEO Passage Rates
        • Career Placement and Residency Rates
      • Graduate Attributes
      • Consumer Information
        • Licensure Disclosure
    • Accreditation
      • Compliance & Security
    • Campus Store
    • Contact Us
      • Records Requests
        • Credential Request
        • Curriculum Hours Verification
        • Transcript Request
        • Optometric Residency Verifications
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Event Calendar
    • Honorary Degrees
    • Human Resources
      • Career Opportunities
      • Faculty/Staff Resources
        • ADP
        • Counseling Services
        • Faculty/Staff Webmail
      • Live Local
    • Library
      • Catalog Search
      • Diversity/LGBTQ+ Resources
      • Resources
      • Library Collections &Services
      • Library Guides
      • Library Staff
      • Library Hours
      • Room/Seat Reservations
    • Meet Our Faculty
      • Professors Emeriti
    • Our Campus
      • Activity Center
      • Campus Security
        • Clery Act
      • Environmental Policy
      • Learning Resource Center
      • Hours of Operation
    • Photo Gallery
    • Research
      • Research at SCO
      • Research Faculty
      • Summer Research Fellowship
      • Posters
    • SCO News
    • Title IX
    • Values
    • Visit SCO
      • Transportation Options
      • Interactive Tour
  • Milestone Events
    • Heart of America
    • SECO
    • Spring CE Weekend
      • Registration
      • Spring CE Agenda
      • Exhibit Hall
    • Commencement
      • Student Schedule
      • Family & Guest Events
      • Gamma Omicron Diploma Framing
      • Hotel Information
      • Commencement Livestream
    • 50-Year-Class Reunion
      • Hotel Information
    • Residents' Weekend
    • AOA - Optometry's Meeting
    • Orientation
      • Orientation Schedule
      • Important Information and Links
      • Student Organizations
      • Class of 2026 IRIS
      • Welcome to SCO & Memphis
      • Pre-Recorded Orientation Sessions
      • Memphis Address Registration
      • Required Training
    • White Coat Ceremony
      • Student Optometric Oath
    • Convocation
    • Homecoming
      • Hotel Information
    • American Academy of Optometry
  • Give
  • Admissions
  • Placement
  • Contact
  • Our Clinics
Apply Give
Southern College of Optometry logo
  • Admissions
  • Placement
  • Contact
  • Give
  • Our Clinics
  • Prospective Students
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
  • About SCO
  • Milestone Events
Give
Apply

Prospective Students

Like any endeavor worth pursuing in life, it takes careful preparation to become an optometrist.

Request Information

Current Students

Students are at the heart of our mission.

Student Resources
  • Official Academic Calendar
  • College Catalog
  • Externship Program
    • Preceptor Spotlight
  • Financial Aid
    • Applying for Financial Aid
      • Financial Aid Forms
    • Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN)
    • Financial Aid Deadlines
    • Financial Aid FAQS
    • Financial Aid Handbook
    • Financial Aid for International Students
    • Financial Aid Resources
      • Debt Calculator
        • Debt Calculator for Prospective Students
        • Debt Calculator for Current Students
      • Glossary of Basic Loan Terms
      • Scholarship Search Sites
      • Standard Student Budget
    • Types of Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
  • Hayes Center for Practice Excellence
    • Optometry’s Practice Connection
    • Practice of Excellence Award
    • Summer Shadowing Contest
    • Resources
  • Residency Programs
    • Admission to Residency Programs
    • Online Residency Application
    • Our Residency Programs
      • Appelbaum Eye Care Associates, PC
        • Program Supervisors
        • Program Information
        • Program Policies
        • AppelbaumVision.com
        • Visionhelp.com Group
        • Vision Therapy & Sensory Integration Specialists
        • Comments from Past Residents
      • Bond-Wroten Eye Clinic
        • Staff Physician
        • Program Policies
        • Program Supervision Policy
        • BWEC Residency Brochure 2020 (PDF)
        • BWEC Residency Brochure Flyer (PDF)
      • Bowersox Vision Center, PSC
      • Children's Hospital Colorado
        • Supervision Policy
      • Community Health Centers of the Central Coast, Inc.
      • Draisin Vision Group
        • Draisin Vision Group Residency Handbook
      • Duke University
      • Eye Specialty Group/Southern College of Optometry
        • Program Policies
        • The Eye Center
        • SCO Supervision Policy
        • Residency Supervisors
        • Directions to Facilities
        • On Call Manual
        • Program Brochure
      • Eyecare Professionals, P.C.
        • Residency Website
        • Program Policies
        • Program Description
        • Stipend and Benefits
        • Facility Photos
        • Background Reading
        • Testimonials
        • Video
        • Eyecare Professionals, P.C. Brochure (PDF)
      • Family Eyecare Associates, P.C.
        • Program Policies
        • Resident Supervisor
        • About This Residency
        • Program Description
      • Gainesville Eye Associates
      • Georgia Eye Partners
      • Greenville VA Outpatient Clinic
        • Program Policies
      • James H. Quillen VA Medical Center
        • Program Policies
        • Facility/Area Description
        • Photos
        • Directions to Facilities
        • Interactive Area Map
        • James A. Quillen VAMC Facility
        • James H. Quillen VA Medical Center Brochure (PDF)
        • Residency Spotlight: James H. Quillen VAMC
      • Louisiana Family Eyecare
      • Memphis VA Medical Center
        • Program Policies
        • Residency Faculty
        • Interactive Area Map
        • Memphis VAMC Facility Site
        • Residency Handbook
      • Moyes Eye Center
        • Program Supervision Policy
      • Neuro-Vision Associates of North Texas
      • Ochsner Clinic
        • Program Policies
        • Staff
        • On Call Policy
        • Resident Supervision Policy
        • Clinical Practice Protocol
      • Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
        • Program Policies
        • Residency Faculty
        • Interactive Area Map
        • Contact Ralph H. Johnson VAMC
        • Ralph H. Johnson VAMC Facility Site
      • Paul Vision Institute
        • Paul Vision Institute Brochure (PDF)
        • PVI Vaccination Policy
        • Program Supervision Policy
        • Paul Vision Institute Flyer
      • Salem VA Medical Center
        • Program Policies
        • Official Salem VAMC Site
        • Interactive Area Map
        • Salem VA Medical Center Program Brochure (PDF)
        • Salem Optometry Residency Program 2021 (PDF)
      • SouthEast Eye Specialists
        • Residency Program Supervision Policy
        • Program Policies
        • Quality Assurance Protocol
      • SCO, Residency in Vision Rehab, with Emphasis in Low Vision Rehab and Ocular Disease
        • Program Policies
        • Video Tour of The Eye Center
        • SCO Supervision Policy
      • SCO, Residency in Vision Rehabilitation, with Emphasis in Brain Injury Rehabilitation
        • Video Tour of The Eye Center
        • Video: SCO's Pediatric/Vision Therapy & Vision Rehabilitation/Brain Injury programs
        • Residency Supervisors
        • Faculty
        • SCO Supervision Policy
      • The Eye Center at SCO Pediatric Optometry, with Emphasis in Vision Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation
        • Program Policies
        • Program Description
        • Faculty
        • Residency Supervisor
        • Residency Life
        • The Eye Center Facilities
        • SCO Supervision Policy
        • Directions to Facilities
        • Interactive Area Map
        • On Call Manual
        • Video: SCO's Pediatric/Vision Therapy & Vision Rehabilitation/Brain Injury programs
        • Video Tour of The Eye Center
      • The Eye Center Primary Care Optometry, w Emphasis in Family Practice Optometry and Ocular Disease
        • Program Policies
        • Program Description
        • Residency Supervisor
        • The Eye Center Facilities
        • SCO Supervision Policy
        • Directions to Facilities
        • Interactive Area Map
        • On Call Manual
        • Video Tour of The Eye Center
      • The Eye Center at SCO & Christian Brothers University
        • Program Policies
        • Program Description
        • CBU Contact Information
        • CBU Campus Photos
        • On Call Manual
        • Video Tour of The Eye Center
        • SCO Supervision Policy
      • Toyos Clinic
      • W. G. Hefner VA Medical Center
        • Hefner VA Externship Residency ProgramPresentation (PDF)
        • Program Policies
        • Contact
        • Residency Faculty
        • Directions to Facilities
        • Interactive Area Map
        • Official Salisbury VAMC Site
      • WJB Dorn VA Medical Center
        • Program Policies
        • Residency Faculty
        • Interactive Area Map
        • Dorn VAMC Site
        • Contact WJB Dorn VAMC Residency
      • Woolfson Eye Institute
        • Program Policies
        • Staff
        • Website
      • Wow Vision Therapy
        • Program Policies
        • Residency Website
        • About
    • 2022-23 SCO Residency Programs (PDF)
    • Residency Spotlight
  • Student Handbook
  • Student Organizations
    • Ambassadors
  • Student Resources
    • Tech Support
      • ExamSoft
      • IRIS
      • Panopto
      • Moodle
    • Communications
    • Counseling Services
    • Credential Request
    • Disabilities Services
    • Enrollment Services
    • Library
    • Student Webmail
    • Curriculum Hours Verification
    • Security
    • Transcript Request
    • External Degrees
  • Meet Our Faculty
  • Summer Research Fellowship

Alumni

Get involved in our thriving alumni community.

Alumni Services
  • Alumni Achievement Awards
  • Alumni News
    • Alumni Birth and Wedding Registry
      • Alumni Birth and Wedding Registry Submissions
  • Alumni Spotlight
  • Alumni Services
    • Alumni Email
    • Credential Request
    • Curriculum Hours Verification
    • Transcript Request
    • Placement Service
    • Alumni Information Update
  • Continuing Education
    • Online CE Course Library
      • Online CE Instructors
      • Online CE Library Financial Disclosures
    • Upcoming Events
  • Hayes Center for Practice Excellence
  • SCOnline Alumni Newsletter
  • Visions Alumni Magazine

About SCO

SCO is one of the nation's leading optometry schools.

Our Campus

Milestone Events

Take time to recognize these significant achievements.

Event Schedule
  • Heart of America
  • SECO
  • Spring CE Weekend
    • Registration
    • Spring CE Agenda
    • Exhibit Hall
  • Commencement
    • Student Schedule
    • Family & Guest Events
    • Gamma Omicron Diploma Framing
    • Hotel Information
    • Commencement Livestream
  • 50-Year-Class Reunion
    • Hotel Information
  • Residents' Weekend
  • AOA - Optometry's Meeting
  • Orientation
    • Orientation Schedule
    • Important Information and Links
    • Student Organizations
    • Class of 2026 IRIS
    • Welcome to SCO & Memphis
    • Pre-Recorded Orientation Sessions
    • Memphis Address Registration
    • Required Training
  • White Coat Ceremony
    • Student Optometric Oath
  • Convocation
  • Homecoming
    • Hotel Information
  • American Academy of Optometry
Get Started
Get Info
Tour
Give

Enter a search request and press enter. Press Esc or the X to close.

Close

Tips for Applicants

1 2
  • Home
  • Prospective Students
  • Admissions
  • Tips for Applicants

Jump to a Section:

  • Applications

  • Essay

  • Letters of Recommendation

  • Transcripts

  • Test Scores

  • Experiences Section of OptomCAS

  • Maintain Appropriate Communication

 

  1. Applications

    • Complete both the OptomCAS Application and the SCO Supplemental Application.  Both must be received to be considered for an interview.

    • Submit both applications as early in the application cycle as possible. This maximizes your opportunity for acceptance.

    • Applications can be submitted without all of the supporting documents. You can add those as they become available.

    • Remember that OptomCAS has to verify (i.e. audit) your application before you are eligible for an interview invitation.  This process can take anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks.

 

  1. Essay

    • Don’t let your Personal Statement delay your application.

    • Don’t regurgitate what is listed in your experiences section of the application; let us know about you and your personal journey to optometry. Questions to consider:

      1. How does optometry match your career goals & interests?

      2. Why optometry and not another health profession?

  1. Use good grammar and proofread/edit thoroughly. Have another person read your essay to catch mistakes you may miss.

  2. Recommended maximum of 4,500 characters.

 

  1. Letters of Recommendation

    • Required: one letter from an OD with whom you have worked or shadowed but are not related.

    • Required: one letter from either a health professions advisor or a science professor who taught you in class.  Committee letters are also acceptable for this recommendation requirement.

    • Meet with those writing your letters of recommendation before you start your OptomCAS application. You will need their contact information to include in OptomCAS, and they will receive an email with instructions on how to submit the letter. Follow up with them after you submit the application so they know to look for that email.

 

  1. Transcripts

    • Official transcripts must be sent to OptomCAS.

    • Official transcripts must be sent by all schools you attended. Courses from previous schools may appear on your current transcript, but we will still need official transcripts from the schools that originally awarded those credits.  

    • Refer to a copy of your transcript as you enter your coursework into OptomCAS. Use appropriate attention to detail. 

    • Transcript information will be audited by the OptomCAS team in order for your application to be verified.

 

  1. Test Scores

    • Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) is the preferred test.  It is recommended that anyone scoring below 310 on the Academic Average should retake the test. For applicants with multiple test scores, the set of scores with the highest Academic Average will be used in evaluation for admission.

    • SCO will also consider either MCAT or GRE scores in lieu of the OAT. Please contact the admissions office to discuss alternative standardized tests. Though you are not eligible for an interview without a competitive test score, you can submit your application prior to taking any of the tests.

  • If you take the OAT after having started your applications, send a copy of the unofficial score report you receive on the test day to the admissions office.

 

  1. Experiences Section of OptomCAS

    • Complete each section.

    • Include all experience with optometry, both paid and volunteer.

    • Include all extracurriculars and service activities since high school. Do not include activities completed during high school.

    • Shadow multiple optometrists in a variety of practice modes.

 

  1. Maintain Appropriate Communication

    • The admissions office will communicate with you about your application via email.  Check your inbox often and respond to all emails promptly and professionally.

    • Utilize the information available on the admissions website, but contact the admissions office in the event you have more specific questions.

 

Admissions

  • Academic Information
  • Deadlines
  • How to Apply
  • International Students
  • Become a Competitive Applicant
  • Tips for Applicants

1245 Madison Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104

(901)722-3200

The Eye Center

1225 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104

(901)722-3250

Helpful Links

  • Admissions
  • Prospective Students
  • Resources
  • Calendar
  • Webmail
  • Contact Us

Stay In Touch

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Apply Today

Southern College of Optometry © 2023
Sitemap Privacy Policy Memphis Web Design by Speak

Details

Location

Save Event


loading