Pacific University College of Optometry

2043 College Way Forest Grove, Oregon 97116 Phone: 503-352-2202 or 800-933-9308 Email: jholmboe@pacificu.edu http://www.pacificu.edu/optometry

The Pacific University College of Optometry, formerly North Pacific College of Optometry, located in Forest Grove, Oregon has been educating optometrists in the Pacific Northwest for over 70 years. The college of optometry offers a few educational paths for students including the Doctor of Optometry, which can be concurrently obtained with a Master of Education (M.Ed.). There is also a Master of Science in Vision Science degree and residency options that can lead to a certificate in Hospital Optometry, and other areas. The Pacific University College of Optometry also does research through its Vision Performance Institute which also provides a continuing education option for students.

The Pacific University College of Optometry is very competitive and enrolls around 90 students per academic year. The class profile entering the 2009 year consisted of 330-350 applications, 90 accepted students, an average cumulative GPA of 3.58, and an average Total Science OAT score of 343.

Tuition

The tuition for the 2009-2010 academic year for the first year of the program was $29,250. Assuming this is the rate over the 4 year Doctor of Optometry Program, the tuition comes out to $117,000. Please check the school for updated and accurate tuition and fees.

Education Requirements

The Pacific University College of Optometry does not require applicants to have a Bachelors degree, but does require them to have at least 90 semester credit hours from an accredited college or university that fulfills the college’s optometry prerequisite courses. Applicants should check the college’s listings to see what courses are required, and should fill out the Prerequisite Worksheet to determine which courses meet the prerequisite coursework for the College of Optometry.

Admissions Checklist

• School of Optometry Application – OptomCAS application and Pacific University Supplemental Application
• Essay/Personal Statement
• Official academic transcripts
• OAT Scores
• 2 letters of recommendation - at least one from an optometrist and one from a professor
• Clinical Experience – document stating 30 hours of unpaid time observing an optometrist who is not related
• Official TOEFL score report (for applicants whose native language is not English) – minimum 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based or 105 internet-based, with minimum sub-section scores

2008 ICO Entering Class Profile

• Total Applications: 2008
• Number of Applicants Accepted: 327
• Number of Students Enrolled: 122
• # of Enrolled with Bachelors degree: 92
• # of Males Enrolled: 39
• # of Females Enrolled: 53
• # of States Represented: 19
• Overall Average GPA: 3.41
• Average OAT AA Score: 349
• Average OAT Total Science Score: 340
• # of Residents Applied: 37
• # of Residents Accepted: 28
• # of Non-residents Applied:290
• # of Non-residents Accepted:94
• Residents 1st Year Tuition and Fees: $28128
• Non-residents 1st Year Tuition and Fees: $28128
• Offers Advanced Standing: Yes

Pacific University College of Optometry Residency

Pacific University College of Optometry Residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses - Forest Grove, OR

Pacific University College of Optometry Residency in Vision Therapy, Rehabilitation and Pediatric Optometry - Forest Grove, OR

Affiliated Optometric Residency

Puget Sound VA Residency in Primary Eye Care / Geriatric Optometry - Tacoma, OR

Spokane VA Reseidency in Primary Care - Spokane, WA

Roseburg VA Residency in Primary Care - Roseburg, OR

Portland VA Residency in Primary Care - Portland, OR

Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Residency in Primary Care / Surgical Co-Management - Walla Walla, WA

Eye Care Associates of Nevada Residency in Ocular Disease / Refractive and Ocular Surgery - Sparks, NV

Alaska Eye Care Associates Residency in Contact Lenses and Primary Care - Anchorage, AK

Iris Ophthalmology Clinic Residency in Refractive and Ocular Surgery - Langley, BC