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Dear Prospective Students,

As of today, OptomCAS has officially launched the 2015-2016 application! Applicants are now able to begin completing their optometry school applications. The application can be accessed directly at http://optomcas.liaisoncas.com<http://sunyopt.us6.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=cf0dfda9f23d312aa2b16caf1&id=bbd2a2c70e&e=e212a6938d>.

General information about the OptomCAS process along with more specific information about LORs and prerequisites, etc. can be found at www.optomcas.org<http://sunyopt.us6.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=cf0dfda9f23d312aa2b16caf1&id=2091ec9223&e=e212a6938d> website.



Also, don't miss out on the opportunity to attend our 2015 Admissions Camp on Wednesday July 8th to learn exactly what you need to know to become a competitive applicant. We will be covering key elements of a competitive application, tips on essay writing, interview skills, tips on preparing for the OAT, how to strengthen your self-control muscle, and more. Registration is now open at www.sunyopt.edu/camp<http://sunyopt.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cf0dfda9f23d312aa2b16caf1&id=03decb837e&e=e212a6938d>.

Please note: reapplicants who are interested in transferring their information over from the 2014-2015 application will not be able to do so until July 13. The message on the OptomCAS website states:



The re-applicant tools that will allow you to copy information from your 2014-2015 OptomCAS application will be available on July 13, 2015. If you wish to copy information from your previous application, please wait until July 13, 2015 to start your new application.

We are excited to begin a new application cycle here at SUNY and look forward to potentially receiving your application. There are many reasons to choose SUNY for your optometric training and education, and we have highlighted the top 10 reasons here:



1 - Reputation

SUNY College of Optometry is widely renowned for its excellence. The College offers students an outstanding optometric education and clinical experience in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. SUNY Optometry is committed to academic excellence, improving patients’ lives, enhancing public health through education, and advancing the field of vision science. Due to its reputation, a degree from SUNY Optometry is your key to a successful and fulfilling career.



2 - Rigorous, Hands-On Curriculum

SUNY Optometry offers a rigorous, hands-on, integrated curriculum that fully prepares students to provide excellent eye care. The exceptional level of our academic curriculum is reflected in the fact that over the years, our students pass the National licensing exam the first time they try, and with scores significantly above the national average.



Students begin working in the University Eye Center clinics in the first year and continue with greater responsibilities in subsequent years. Externships in the fourth year are available in hospitals across the country, in Canada, and in China.



The four year program develops students’ clinical critical thinking and problem solving skills by integrating clinical knowledge and skills with knowledge of the basic sciences through a series of small group clinical case study discussions.



3 - A Clinical Experience that Is Second to None

One of the largest on-campus clinics in optometry offering vision and eye care to a diversified patient population in the heart of Manhattan, the University Eye Center offers SUNY Optometry students exposure to a great diversity of visual/ocular problems. All students rotate through and work with patients in all specialty clinics (Primary Care, Ocular Disease, Special Testing, Glaucoma Institute, Pediatrics, Contact Lenses, Low Vision, Vision Therapy, Head Trauma, Children with Special Needs, Learning Disability Unit, Infants Vision, Dispensing). SUNY Optometry has also an on-campus Laser Center and an Ambulatory Surgical Center. As a result of the large clinic, small class size, and the diversified patient population, students obtain a rich and comprehensive clinical experience that is second to none.



4 - Outstanding Faculty

SUNY Optometry faculty are accomplished educators and researchers who have a passion for teaching and are fully committed to your academic and professional success. Over 150 Ph.D.s, O.D.s and M.D.s (80 full and 77 part time) encompass SUNY Optometry’s team of outstanding educators. Being part of a large university contributes to the depth and quality of our faculty.



5 - Excellence in Research

SUNY Optometry has nationally and internationally recognized faculty engaged in cutting-edge research in vision science.~ SUNY optometry has the greatest concentration of world-class vision science research faculty in New York City. Students interested in research can choose between the O.D./MS and Ph.D. programs in Vision Science. Research investigations at the College are in the areas of cell biology and ocular pharmacology, visual optics, visual neurophysiology, and vision and visual perception.



6 - Excellent Value for Your Money

With highly competitive tuition rates, SUNY Optometry is, on average, one of the best investments in Optometry education in the nation. Most out-of-state USA residents are eligible for in-state tuition after their first year.



7 – Exciting Location

Excitement. Culture. Music. Dance. Colleges. Broadway. Museums. Libraries. New York is a sum of many different parts existing together in one of the safest, diversely populated islands in the world. SUNY Optometry is located in a historic building in in the beautiful and safe neighborhood of Midtown Manhattan, across from Bryant Park and the New York State Library, where students feel comfortable and have easy access to all forms of public transportation.



8 - Personalized Services

The College’s dedicated staff and faculty are committed to our students’ academic and professional success, from the moment they inquiry about our programs to graduation, and beyond. The Office for Student Affairs staff offers individualized counseling programs for applicants and two Open Houses a year to guide applicants through the application process. The Office of Student Affairs further serves as a center of advocacy for students in all areas of student life, organizing student programs and creating opportunities for leadership and involvement outside the classroom.



9 – Brilliant Student Body

SUNY Optometry’s student body is comprised of highly accomplished students who have succeeded not only academically but also outside the classroom. Student accepted into the professional program are graduates from some of the most competitive schools in the country and have very competitive GPAs. The average OAT scores of SUNY Optometry students are above the national average and one of the highest in the country. Students have many interests outside the classroom including a passion for volunteering and sharp leadership skills.



10 – Ideal Class Sizes

With a yearly enrollment of 100 students into the O.D. program, SUNY Optometry has an ideal class size which foster more personalized, in-depth relationships between students and professors. In the clinics, depending on the rotation, the College offers a rich student to faculty ratio of 2/1 and 4/1. Professors see themselves as much as mentors as instructors.



If you have any questions regarding the application, application process, SUNY, or anything else, please feel free to send us your questions via our General Admissions email at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>.



The Admissions team at SUNY wishes you all a successful application year.



Best,



The SUNY Admissions Team

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