KYCO Application Process

KYCO Application Process

KYCO accepts students each spring for the fall class. Deadline for entry is March 31, yearly.

Below is a checklist of all required materials necessary for a completed Admissions Application to the University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) program. Based on the submitted application and information, applicants will be invited for an on-site interview. All application materials must be received by the Kentucky College of Optometry by the March 31 deadline. Admission to the Kentucky College of Optometry is done on a rolling basis; therefore, early application is highly recommended.

Students applying to any school or college of Optometry must utilize the Optometry Centralized Application Service, known as OptomCAS. This service is designed to streamline your application process and can be found at http://www.optomcas.org/.

Completed OptomCAS application and fee
Official Transcripts (also submitted through OptomCAS)
Submit all transcripts from undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate programs attended only through OptomCAS.

Tip: Request transcripts be sent to OptomCAS early in the application process to ensure receipt prior to the application deadline.

Letters of Evaluation: Although OptomCAS allows up to four letters of recommendation to be entered into the online application, KYCO requires and will only review two letters of recommendation.
1. One recommendation should be from a healthcare provider (preferably an O.D. who is a member of the AOA).
2. One recommendation should be from any of the following:
• Pre-healthcare professional committee member
• Pre-healthcare advisor
• Science faculty member

Students are also required to take one of the following professional exams: Optometry Admission Test (OAT), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Dental Admission Test (DAT) or Pharmacy Admission Test (PCAT). Information can be found at http://www.ada.org/en/oat.

Official Score Report – Make sure to designate the Kentucky College of Optometry as an official OAT, MCAT, DAT or PCAT score recipient.

An essay for your application is not required, but if you desire to add one to your file, you may add it as an additional document when applying. Additionally, KYCO does not have a secondary application and charges no additional application fees beyond those charged directly by OptomCAS.

Additionally, OptomCas requires all applicants to review and have an understanding of the ASCO Functional Standards for Didactic and Clinical Optometric Training and to affirm that each applicant meets these standards.

Tip: Often candidates will seek to retake the OAT, which requires a 90-day wait. It is advisable to plan for a possible re-take of the OAT prior to the deadline of the application process.

The admissions office will email the applicant to acknowledge that a complete application has been received. Once the application has been processed, the admissions office will send an email regarding application status.

Visit ASCO’s Website at: http://www.opted.org and read the “True Stories” about Optometry.