Though most applicants will have a four year college or university degree before entering SUNY Optometry, there are some who may wish to accelerate by attending undergraduate college/university for only three years before coming to SUNY Optometry.  Those applicants may wish to do so be attending one of the undergraduate colleges/universities that have a special affiliation with SUNY Optometry and will grant the BS degree from that undergraduate college/university after the student completes SUNY Optometry's first year. A list of those colleges/universities, are available. Below are the requirements for this option:

Requirements for the 3/4 Joint Degree Program with
The SUNY COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

All applicants must be interviewed, when initially applying, by a representative of the Office of Student Affairs of the SUNY College of Optometry (Call the admissions officer at the undergraduate institution or the SUNY Optometry at 212-938-5500 or outside NYC at 800-291-3937, for details).

To be considered when applying to undergraduate school, directly from high school:

1. Must be accepted into one of the 35 undergraduate colleges/universities, with which we have this program affiliation, as a freshman
2. Must have total SATs of at least 1300 with the Math score of at least 670
3. Must have a high school grade average of at least 93 out of a 100
4. Should be in the upper 10% of their high school class (depending on the reputation of the high school)
5. Must have a definite interest in the profession of optometry and have explored it.
6. Must show evidence of community involvement
7. Must have reasonable communication and interpersonal skills
8. Must submit to an interview

To be considered once attending a college or university:

1. Must have an overall GPA of at least 3.3
2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 3.3 in all math and science prerequisites taken with no individual grade below a C
3. Same as numbers above

If admitted into the 3/4 program, the following are required while attending the undergraduate college/university:

1. Maintain at least a 3.3 overall GPA
2. Maintain at least a 3.3 overall GPA in the math and science prerequisites with no individual grade below a C
3. Take the Optometric Admission Test in the 3rd undergraduate year and attain a Total Science score (TS) of at least 330 and all individual score of at least 330
4. Have submitted the required letters of recommendation (must be positive)
5. Submit all transcripts of academic work
6. Show evidence of community involvement
7. Explore the profession extensively by visiting several optometric practices
8. Submit the routine application required of all students during your 3rd undergraduate year.
9. Submit to a final interview at the SUNY College of Optometry during your 3rd undergraduate year
10. Meet all the requirements of graduation for the undergraduate college/university attended