KYCO Admissions

The Kentucky College of Optometry awards the degree of Doctor of Optometry (O.D.).

Applicants will be considered on the basis of academic performance represented by coursework grades, course load, academic trends, degree of course difficulty and scores on the components of the Optometry Admission Test or other permitted professional exam. In addition, the applicant review will include consideration of non-academic qualifications such as: positions of leadership held, volunteer activities in optometric or other healthcare related services, extra-curricular activities, communication skills (as demonstrated in the personal statement and interview) and letters of evaluation, in no particular order of preference or weight.
• Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale*
• Overall OAT Score: 300*

*In exceptional cases where the strength of the overall application may warrant consideration of a lower GPA or OAT score.

Although a four-year baccalaureate degree is highly recommended, students are eligible to matriculate after successfully completing three years (90 credits from a four-year college or university) of study.

KYCO welcomes future students from various academic backgrounds, no matter your major; however, all accepted students must complete all of the KYCO prerequisite courses prior to entering the O.D. program.

We expect to seat 60 students per year.

KYCO accepts both residents of the United States and international students.

Criminal Background Checks

KYCO requires criminal background checks for all students prior to matriculating to KYCO and prior to the beginning of fourth-year clinical rotations. Background checks are completed through Verified Credentials. There is no cost associated with the initial background check, however, students are responsible for the cost of the background check completed prior to rotations.

• Mandatory Self-Reporting for Criminal Behavior – All accepted and currently enrolled medical students are required to promptly (within 10 calendar days) report any criminal charges ever filed against them to the KYCO Director of Student Affairs. Criminal behavior includes any felony and misdemeanor violations of the law, but excludes minor traffic violations, such as parking tickets. Any charges that were previously disclosed on the OptoCAS application need not be reported again. Student violations of the law will be reviewed by the Director of Student Affairs in the context of future implications for licensure, threat to patient safety, and the ability to be an appropriate member of the optometric profession. Depending on the nature and severity of the criminal offense, student suspension or dismissal is possible. If warranted, the KYCO Director of Admissions may refer the matter to the admissions committee.

Drug Testing

KYCO requires students to submit four drug tests during their enrollment: a drug screening during new student orientation, prior to the beginning of second-year fall courses, prior to third-year clinical rotations, and prior to the beginning of fourth-year rotations. Tests performed through KYCO are at no-cost. Students are responsible for the expense involved with this testing if it is completed through an outside provider. Positive findings will be reviewed by the KYCO Office of Student Affairs and/or the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs In some cases, further evaluation by external professional consultants may be required. A positive test result may become grounds for dismissal.

Additional Drug Testing. A student may be directed to complete additional drug testing if the KYCO Dean, Professional Conduct & Ethics Committee Committee, and/or the KYCO Office of Student Affairs determines there is reasonable suspicion that the student has violated University drug policies. In addition, at times random drug screenings may be performed.  In these cases, the testing will be done at no cost to the student.

Health Insurance

KYCO requires that students maintain personal health insurance for the entire duration of their enrollment and upload proof of health insurance coverage in Verified Credentials for the duration of their time at KYCO. All KYCO students are required to enroll in the KYCO student health insurance plan or obtain a waiver from the KYCO insurance administrator, HSA Consulting, Inc. Information about the student health insurance plan, including enrollment and waiver procedures, is available on the UPIKE Student Health Insurance Plan website.  Students who fail to enroll in or obtain a waiver for the health insurance plan will be automatically enrolled and their account charged accordingly.

Students are expected to maintain a relationship with a personal healthcare provider and to see to their personal and preventative health. Students are encouraged to contact the KYCO Office of Student Affairs whenever they are having a health-related issue, especially if the issue could affect their academic performance or attendance.

Immunizations

Because of patient contact and potential exposure to infectious material from patients during these clinical experiences, KYCO students have the potential for exposure to (and possible transmission of) vaccine-preventable diseases.  Optometry Students are included in the definition of non-paid healthcare personnel (HCP), and therefore included in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Immunization of Healthcare Personnel: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).  It is therefore incumbent on the College, and required by our clinical education partners, that all KYCO students provide documentation of required immunizations and titers prior to matriculation at KYCO and during their KYCO enrollment.  This documentation is required to be uploaded into the Qualified First/Verified Credentials website for dissemination to clinical education sites throughout the students’ enrollment at KYCO. Students are responsible for all costs associated with meeting this requirement.  All immunization/titer requirements must be uploaded prior to a student arriving on campus for first-year orientation.

Please refer to the following chart below for the KYCO requirements, which are based on ACIP Recommendations.

You may be required to have additional immunizations or testing at clinical placements throughout the duration of your enrollment. The clinical affiliations that the University has with various hospitals, health centers, and Veteran Administration Hospitals require these immunizations and tests before any clinical activity. Please refer to the Externship Manual for additional information.

Optometrists are doctors who are specifically trained on the overall health of the eyes and act as the primary eye health provider. Doctors of Optometry (O.D. degree) work with refractive errors and maintenance and/or treatment of medical eye diseases and in Kentucky are licensed to perform certain laser surgical procedures. Optometrists are licensed doctors who are held to the same legal standard as physicians. A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O. degree) is a professional doctoral degree offered by medical schools and is founded on philosophy of treating people, not just symptoms. Osteopathic physicians have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as an M.D. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine are licensed to practice the full scope of medicine and can perform surgery in 60 countries, including all 50 states in the United States.

Please find additional information and resources about the Optometry Admission Test at: http://www.ada.org/en/oat.

Yes, you can take the OAT more than once. Your highest scores will be taken into consideration.

Please refer to the OAT Examinee Guide located at http://www.opted.org/ for detailed information on the administration of the examination. Test preparation materials and a sample test are located at the same website location.

No. In addition to the OAT, the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores are accepted for admission to KYCO.