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The Advanced Standing (AS) Program at SUNY College of Optometry (SUNY) was established in 2015. Its purpose is to allow foreign graduates with medical degrees with practice in ophthalmology, or optometry degrees to obtain a Doctor of Optometry (OD) from SUNY. This highly selective program entails 2.5 to 3.0 years in residence at SUNY and follows the courses within the traditional 4-yr OD degree program, with customized independent study.
The advanced standing application is processed separately from the regular first-year admissions process. In its deliberations, the Admissions Committee considers, among others, the following factors:
The admission decision and track placement are based on a comprehensive review of the applicant’s prior health care professional program, relevant work experience, OAT scores (if applicable), demonstrated leadership, post-degree community involvement, and completed NBEO (National Board of Examiners in Optometry) Parts I, II, and/or III.
Other areas that are considered in the admission process are letters of recommendation, interpersonal skills displayed during the personal interview, and commitment to the profession.
Applicants may be sponsored by the College to take NBEO Part I after a successful interview. While most advanced standing students enter the program in Track I or Track II (see below), the Admissions Committee may recommend entry into the first-year class (four-year program) when appropriate.
Admissions Cycles (twice annually)
Fall cycle:
Application deadline: November 1
Interview date: mid-December
Spring cycle:
Application deadline: March 1
Interview date: mid-April
ALL requirements (see below) must be submitted on OptomCAS by the deadline below to be considered. Applicants are encouraged to apply when they are prepared and able to sit for NBEO Part I within one year of application.
There are two admission cycles per calendar year:
Fall cycle:
Application deadline: November 1
Interview date: mid-December
Spring cycle:
Application deadline: March 1
Interview date: mid-April
After a completed application is submitted, the Advanced Standing Admissions Committee will review the application and determine whether the applicant will be invited to interview. Interviews are held in December and April and typically consist of a 30-minute virtual session via Zoom with members of the Advanced Standing Admissions Committee.
After the interviews have been conducted, the top candidates will be sponsored to take optometry’s National Board exam: NBEO I
NBEO I is administered twice per year: March and August.
Applicants must pass NBEO I in order to be considered for Advanced Standing. However, passing the exam does not guarantee admission to the program. While there is no minimum required score, the score breakdown is considered with the applicant’s whole profile.
Please Note:
Once all the above steps are completed, the Advanced Standing Program Director will determine if the applicant has completed all requirements to a satisfactory degree and given a preliminary acceptance to the Advanced Standing.
The Advanced Standing Director will propose the placement (see below: Track 1 or 2) and schedule for each applicant, which will be brought to the Dean’s Council for approval. The Dean’s Council will have the final decision in granting acceptance into the Advanced Standing Program.
The timelines below are provided for reference to outline a best-case scenario. Please note that all timelines are contingent upon your application being deemed eligible to advance at each stage, and all decisions are made at the discretion of the Advanced Standing Sub-Committee.
Apply between July 1–November 1, 2026
Apply between November 2, 2026–March 1, 2027
The SUNY College of Optometry participates in OptomCAS, the centralized application system for all schools and colleges of optometry in the United States and Puerto Rico. All application materials, including official transcripts, must be submitted through OptomCAS.
Official transcripts of all completed coursework must be submitted from all institutions attended. All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services, Inc. More information is available at World Education Services (WES).
Three letters of recommendation must be completed and submitted directly through OptomCAS.
Please Note: At least one letter of recommendation must be from an optometrist in the United States or Canada that the applicant shadowed or worked with. The optometrist must have a Doctor of Optometry degree from the US or Canada.
Once SUNY Optometry is designated as a school for application within OptomCAS, the applicant will be able to access the Supplemental Questions.
This will appear under the “Program Materials” section within your Application Checklist. Once you have submitted both the regular OptomCAS application and SUNY Optometry supplemental questions, please pay your $40 Supplemental Fee. This is in addition to the OptomCAS application fee.
TOEFL
Applicants for whom English is not their first language and has lived in the United States for fewer than 3 years, or if the Admissions Committee deems it necessary, will be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 81 is required.
More information is available at the Education Training Service.
OAT (Optional):
Applicants can take the OAT on their own as part of the application, which is recommended to boost their application. This can be beneficial in instances where GPA is low, or if relevant work experience is minimal.
The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) is an assessment of your academic ability and knowledge in six sections: biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, math (quantitative) and reading comprehension. The OAT is offered throughout the year at Prometric Testing Centers. We recommend scheduling your testing date several weeks in advance. Information about registering for the test can be found at: https://www.ada.org/en/oat.
Note: Upon approval from the Director of Admissions/Admissions Committee, SUNY Optometry may accept GRE, MCAT, DAT, PCAT scores in lieu of the OAT. The Admissions Committee has the discretion to request students also take the OAT.
After your application has been submitted through OptomCAS, it takes four to five weeks for your application to be reviewed by the SUNY Optometry Admissions Committee. Applicants who meet our admissions requirements will be invited for a virtual interview. The interview is conducted by three members of the Admissions Committee and is an opportunity for us to get to know you better as well as to further learn about your academic and personal achievements, your leadership potential and gauge your communication skills.
SUNY Optometry requires background checks for all accepted professional OD applicants prior to enrollment. All students admitted into the program are conditionally accepted until CBC results are obtained and cleared.
All conditionally accepted applicants must consent to, submit to and successfully complete a criminal background check through Certiphi Screening, Inc. Failure to do so will constitute failure to meet the pre-matriculation requirements established by SUNY Optometry and will result in the withdrawal of a conditionally accepted offer. It is the student’s responsibility to successfully apply for the criminal background check prior to enrollment. Note: An email from Certiphi will be sent to all admitted students informing them that they should initiate the CBC process. Students SHOULD NOT directly request a Personal Background check through Certiphi. SUNY Optometry does not have access to personal background checks.
Results of the CBC by Certiphi will be made available to the applicant and to SUNY Optometry. Results yielded from the CBC will be kept confidential and will be used for admissions purposes only. Applicants will receive an email from Certiphi informing them when their CBC is ready for review. Applicants have a 10-calendar-day period to review and dispute the results of the CBC before the results are released to SUNY Optometry. The CBC will not be released to SUNY Optometry until all disputes have been solved.
SUNY Policy #3200 – Admission of Persons with Prior Felony Convictions
State University of New York (SUNY) policy prohibits SUNY Optometry admission applications from inquiring into an applicant’s prior criminal history. After acceptance, the College shall inquire if the student previously has been convicted of a felony if such individual seeks campus housing or participation in clinical or field experiences, internships or study abroad programs. The information required to be disclosed under SUNY policy regarding such felony convictions shall be reviewed by a standing campus committee consistent with the legal standards articulated in New York State Corrections Law.
3.0-year program, starting in the Fall semester of the 2nd year class.
Students entering this track typically receive credit for and are exempt from the following courses:
The program begins in the summer, which involves independent study of specific courses and procedures from the standard SUNY Optometry first year curriculum for which the students have gained advanced standing. The student will join the second-year class in the Fall term, and proceed with the curriculum as laid out for the remainder of the OD program.
For Advanced Standing Track 1 sample Curricula, see the “Second Year” section of our curriculum webpage.
2.5-year program, starting in the Spring semester of the 2nd year class.
Students entering this track typically receive credit for and are exempt from the above courses as in Track 1, and additionally:
The program begins in the spring of the SUNY Optometry second year curriculum, with independent study of specific course material and procedures from the standard SUNY Optometry first and second year fall curriculum for which the students have gained advanced standing. The student will join the second-year class in the Spring term and proceed with the curriculum as laid out for the remainder of the OD program.
For Advanced Standing Track 2 sample Curricula, see the “Second Year; Spring Semester” section of our curriculum webpage.
We look for candidates who:
While there is no fixed number, typically between 1-2 applicants are admitted each year, space permitting.
NBEO I is offered in March and August every year, and results come out approximately 2 weeks after the exam. You should choose the date when you are most prepared for the exam, as you will only be sponsored for one administration.
NBEO Part I requires extensive preparation, typically at least 3–6 months of study. Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to begin reviewing exam content independently well in advance of the admissions interview. Historically, applicants who have done so have been the most successful.
There is an Unofficial NBEO Study Guide from OptometryBoards.com
Yes, sponsorship for the NBEO Part I does not include financial support. Candidates are responsible for covering the full cost of the examination, along with any associated fees or study materials.
If you are admitted, enrollment will depend on which NBEO I administration you take and the Track that you are placed in. If you take the March administration, you may enroll as early as that Fall (if Track 1) or the following Spring semester (if Track 2). If you take the August administration, you may enroll the following Spring (if Track 2), or the next Fall (if Track 1).
Yes. Eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are part of our Advanced Standing program may apply for federal student loans as well as private educational loans.
Unfortunately, non‑U.S. residents are not eligible for U.S. federal financial aid; however, once accepted, we are happy to connect international students with our Director of Financial Aid to discuss any available financing options.
At this time, SUNY Optometry does not offer institutional scholarships specifically for Advanced Standing students.
More information about Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid can be found on our website.