How to Apply
The Michigan College of Optometry participates in the Optometry Centralized Admission Service (OptomCAS). 

Launch of Centralized Application Service for Optometry (OptomCAS) 

The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) is pleased to announce the launching of the centralized application service for optometry (OptomCAS) on July 1, 2011 for the 2011-2012 application cycle. OptomCAS will offer applicants a convenient, web-based application that will allow them to apply to more than one participating optometry school or college with one application. ALL twenty schools and colleges of optometry will participate.

The OptomCAS website is now available at http://www.optomcas.org/. This includes an FAQ section that may be helpful to you and your students. This website will be refreshed on a continuous basis as the application launch date approaches. In addition, we plan to host webinars for those advisors who may be interested. Information will be sent shortly.

The OptomCAS will forward your applications to Ferris State University and the Michigan College of Optometry.  Applicants will pay a fee of $125 to enter the OptomCAS system and apply to one school or college.   An additional $45 fee will be charged for each additional program to which the student wishes to apply. No portion of the fee paid by the students to OptomCAS is transferred to the institutions to which the student is applying.  However, Optometry schools may charge their applicants a supplemental fee in order to process additional information, i.e. high school transcripts, HS class rank, ACT, SAT, etc.  Currently, MCO will not be requiring a supplemental application or a supplemental fee.

For general information on applying, please read on.

The information collected on OptomCAS is very similar to the information collected for students applying to Ferris State University.  Applicants will enter into OptomCAS the following information:

  1. Personal information, i.e. name, address, other demographics, etc.    
  2. Optometric experience, employment, extracurricular activities, honors and awards.
  3. OAT test scores
  4. High School attended
  5. Colleges and Universities attended
  6. Course work including grades - have your college transcripts available
  7. Three letters of recommendation: One letter must be submitted by a college professor, a second from an optometrist and a third from an other individual of the applicant's choice who is neither a professor, optometrist, nor relative (suggestions would be a high school teacher, high school counselor, athletic coach, clergy, work supervisor, etc.).
  8. Essay - Limited to 4,500 characters.  The topic is "Please describe what inspires your decision for becoming an optometrist, including your preparation for training in this profession, your aptitude and motivation, the basis for your interest in optometry, and your future career goals.“
  9. School designations  

Candidates are encouraged to complete the application process as soon as possible in order to receive early consideration for acceptance. You can submit your application through OptomCAS anytime after July 1st.  Application files to MCO must be completed by February 15th of the year which admission is being sought.  MCO follows a rolling admission process, admitting highly qualified students from September through February 15th.  Candidates may be invited to the campus for personal interview by the two-faculty-member Admissions Committee. Student admission for the entering class is based equally on academic potential (as demonstrated by the Grade Point Average (GPA), ACT/SAT if possible, and OAT scores) and clinical potential as evidenced by the letters of recommendation, the applicant's personal essay, the interview and overall evidence of motivation, high ethical standards, and the potential for success within the Doctor of Optometry curriculum.

The Michigan College of Optometry offers an Early Admission Program to those applicants who are committed to optometry as their chosen profession, intend to attend MCO, and meet the criteria established for submitting an Early Admission Program Application.

Applicants are also encouraged to view the Entering Class Profile of the most recent entering class in order to gain an understanding about the qualifications of the applicants who were successful in securing admission to the College.