Home • Admissions • Applying to ICO • Interview Day Interview Day Let's get to know each other Interview day is an important part of the ICO application process. We review our candidates holistically, this gives us a chance to get to know one another. We look forward to meeting the highly-motivated and passionate person you are. Interview Day gives you the ability to meet current students, faculty, and staff, as well as to participate in an interview and get your own questions answered. Interview Day Setup During interview day, you will receive information on academics, career services, financial aid, and student support services. You will also take a campus tour and have lunch with current students. You will have a one-on-one interview with a faculty member or a member of the admissions committee. 3+4 Program Due Dates & Pre-Reqs Entering Class Profile Interview Day International Admissions Virtual Interviews: Mondays On-Campus Interviews: Mondays & Fridays I really never thought I would be a city person (in the sense that I want to stay in the city forever.) I never want to leave such a great area. There's constantly something new to do in Chicago. - Alyssa Lancaster, OD '21 Stay at ICO The night before your interview, you can stay in our Residential Complex (RC) at no cost. An RC Ambassador will host you and answer all your questions. One guest may accompany you in your room at the RC during your one-night stay. To stay at the RC, click here to learn more. Frequently asked questions What kind of things should I ask during my interview? The best thing you can do to prepare for your interview is to be yourself. Come prepared to answer questions about your background and education, why you are applying to ICO, and why you are interested in the profession. Come prepared to talk about current topics in optometry, especially those that interest you as you review industry news and optometry related sites. We want to see your passion for optometry and look forward to discussing this field with you. This is also a great opportunity for you to get to know us. Come prepared with any questions you might have. A student’s perspective on interview day is available on ICO’s blog. You can read about this here, here and here. When can I expect to hear ICO's decision? You will hear back from the Admissions Committee in two to three weeks after your interview. Decisions are sent via email. If accepted your letter will include your next steps to secure your seat in the entering class.

Home • Alumni • Stay Informed Stay Informed with Illinois College of Optometry Get Involved Stay Informed Don’t miss out on the latest news from your alma mater. There are plenty of ways to stay in the loop. Whether through ICO Matters or attending a CE event, we look forward to staying in contact with you and connecting with you in person. Check out the latest issue of ICO Matters online. All issues from 2012 onward are available online! ICO Matters We hold quarterly CE events all of which count towards the compliance hours needed to keep practicing. Continuing Education Interested in sharing some big news in ICO Matters? Fill out the form below and we'll add it to our next issue! Class Notes Updates? Memory Lane We have collected thousands of pictures over our many years. Go relive some of your favorite ICO moments. Explore More Happenings at ICO

Home • In Chicago In Chicago Day in the Life Student Blog Housing Clubs & Organizations Health & Safety There are many reasons to love Chicago — its food, its neighborhoods, but mostly we love it here because of the people you’ll meet. Few optometry schools in the nation will provide you with such a diverse array of patients. We are on the South Side for one fundamental reason: our commitment to the Bronzeville community and our surrounding neighborhoods. KEEP EXPLORING EyePod Residential Complex Library Gym Dr. Newton K. Wesley Research Center Discover a day in the life. Chicago is a big city, and no two students will experience it in quite the same way. All the same, in four years you will make it your own. Here are just a few views of what a day in the life at ICO might look like. A Day in the Life 'Twas the night before exams Read Blog Entry Acing the boards and lessons learned from softball. Bri Buckley, OD '20 Six lessons learned during my first five weeks Read Blog Entry How to take breaks and how to study. Rachel Shackelford, OD '23 Developing Clinical Skills: 1 or 2 Read Blog Entry Lessons learned from a beginner refractionist. Alek Karthikeyan, OD '23 A glimpse into externship selections Read Blog Entry Choosing the right externships for you. Kashifa Ansari, OD '23 Want to see some more? Read Student Blog Student Housing Students either choose to live in the RC or to live in their own rented apartment. Either way, most students choose to stay near ICO. Student Housing We're excited to have you join us! It takes a lot of hard work and commitment to become an optometrist. It also takes a strong support network. We want to make sure that you do well not only in school, but also that you live well throughout your four years here. Find your group. Volunteer, network, travel, or serve the local community. There are so many opportunities to get involved at ICO. Clubs and Organizations Recreation & Fitness From lifting in the gym to one-on-one trainings with fit coaches, there are many opportunities to take care yourself physically. Recreation and Fitness Health & Safety You can only succeed in optometry school if you also take care of your health and remain safe. We work hard to build a safe and healthy environment so that you feel supported throughout your time at ICO. Health and Safety

Nate Bonilla-Warford, OD, '04 My Dream Practice Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD ’04, came into optometry school unsure where the profession would take him. He had shadowed doctors and knew that optometry offered work-life balance and many ways to practice. It wasn’t until his third year at ICO that he realized exactly what he wanted: a fun, comfortable practice for kids. Within one year of graduating from ICO, he was able to dedicate 100% of his time to Bright Eyes Family Vision Care. Now, he has opened his “dream practice,” Bright Eyes Kids. “I’m proud of what we’ve developed. Not only is it the place that I like working, but it is extremely rewarding,” says Dr. Nate. “I get to spend every day doing the things I love.” His colorful office is filled with LEGO bricks, a hobby he shares with patients and his own children. The playful environment means that Dr. Nate’s days are low-stress. “I have time to communicate both to parents and the children themselves.” This relationship building results in calmer patients, more accurate eye care, and of course, some LEGO building and trading at the end of each visit. It’s no surprise that Dr. Nate loves children. His large family is the main reason he moved from Chicago to Florida. “My life is like My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” he jokes. His location keeps Dr. Nate close to family, with his number one priority being his children. “They are six and eight years old. This is the time when I want to be with them.” Dr. Nate is able to have two successful practices AND eat breakfast and dinner every day with his family, and that’s not all. “We get to go to the beach. We get to go to theme parks. There are a lot of opportunities to be outside and do things as a family all year round, and it’s wonderful.” ICO prepared me not only to see the patients confidently in the exam room, but how to interact with other medical professionals so you can be part of a medical team. Dr. Nate credits ICO with helping him get to this place in his life. “ICO prepared me not only to see the patients confidently in the exam room, but how to interact with other medical professionals so you can be part of a medical team.” He admires ICO’s esteemed faculty for their ability to “understand academia, but be in the trenches in the real world.” Dr. Nate credits ICO with helping him get to this place in his life. “ICO prepared me not only to see the patients confidently in the exam room, but how to interact with other medical professionals so you can be part of a medical team.” He admires ICO’s esteemed faculty for their ability to “understand academia, but be in the trenches in the real world.” As for ICO students, Dr. Nate loved his colleagues’ “independent and entrepreneurial spirit.” He enjoyed taking field trips with the private practice club and hearing doctors come on-campus to talk business. “When you’re a student, it’s so easy to be focused on the very next test or the very next practical or all of the patients you will see,” says Dr. Nate. “I think ICO did a great job reminding us that there are lots of opportunities… We knew that we were going to be able to do what we wanted to do in the end.” This appreciation for the bigger picture has allowed Dr. Nate to keep Bright Eyes Kids on the cutting edge. Most recently, he obtained an “incredibly engaging and exciting” Oculus Rift virtual reality headset to aid in therapy. When it was time to hire a second doctor for Bright Eyes Vision Care, Dr. Nate chose an ICO grad- almost by accident. “It wasn’t like I was looking for a doctor specifically from ICO,” he explains. When he discovered Beth Knighton, OD ’11, though, he knew there would be “a lot of shared experiences and a common language.” Their bond, created by ICO, has resulted in smooth and efficient patient care. Dr. Knighton isn’t the only ICO optometrist Dr. Nate is connected to. A group of his classmates and colleagues communicates via text message almost every day. They discuss everything from the profession to their kids. Dr. Nate knows this network can’t be found just anywhere. “No matter where you go, no matter where you practice, you know there is going to be a group of ICO graduates that you can get together with.” To prospective students, Dr. Nate recommends visiting ICO and talking to students and faculty. “Think about where you’re going to develop the best and most rich long lasting relationships.” He believes in making a well-informed decision, but already knows what his would be. “The diversity of experiences that I had at ICO prepared me well for practice in the real world. If I was going back to school, I would definitely go back to ICO.” …and he wouldn’t change that decision for all the LEGO bricks in the world. Listen to the Podcast to Learn More

Home Consumer Information Functional Guidelines for Didactic and Clinical Optometric Education Approved by the ASCO Board of Directors on March 20, 1998 Revised: March 31, 2009 To provide guidance to those considering optometry as a profession, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) has established functional guidelines for optometric education. The ability to meet these guidelines, along with other criteria established by individual optometric institutions, is necessary for graduation from an optometric professional degree program. One of the missions of each school and college of optometry is to produce graduates fully qualified to provide quality comprehensive eye care services to the public. To fulfill this mission, each institution must ensure that students demonstrate satisfactory knowledge and skill in the provision of optometric care. Admission committees, therefore, consider a candidate’s capacity to function effectively in the academic and clinical environments, as well as a candidate’s academic qualifications and personal attributes. The functional guidelines in optometric education require that the candidate/student possess appropriate abilities in the following areas: 1) observation; 2) communication; 3) sensory and motor coordination; 4) intellectual –conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities; and 5) behavioral and social attributes. Each of these areas is described in this document. In any case where a student’s abilities in one of these areas are compromised, he or she must demonstrate alternative means and/ or abilities to meet the functional requirements. It is expected that seeking and using such alternative means and/or abilities shall be the responsibility of the student. Upon receipt of the appropriate documentation, the school or college will be expected to provide reasonable assistance and accommodation to the student. Observation Abilities The student must be able to acquire a defined level of required knowledge as presented through lectures, laboratories, demonstrations, patient interaction and self-study. Acquiring this body of information necessitates the functional use of visual, auditory and somatic sensation enhanced by the functional use of other sensory modalities. Examples of these observational skills in which accurate information needs to be extracted in an efficient manner include: Visual Abilities: (as they relate to such things as visual acuity, color vision and binocularity): • Visualizing and reading information from papers, films, slides, video and computer displays • Observing optical, anatomic, physiologic and pharmacologic demonstrations and experiments • Discriminating microscopic images of tissue and microorganisms • Observing a patient and noting non-verbal signs • Discriminating numbers, images, and patterns associated with diagnostic tests and instruments • Visualizing specific ocular tissues in order to discern three-dimensional relationships, depth and color changes Auditory Abilities: • Understanding verbal presentations in lecture, laboratory and patient settings • Recognizing and interpreting various sounds associated with laboratory experiments as well as diagnostic and therapeutic procedures Tactile Abilities: • Palpating the eye and related areas to determine the integrity of the underlying structures • Palpating and feeling certain cardiovascular pulses Communication Abilities The student must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently and sensitively with patients and their families, peers, staff, instructors and other members of the health care team. The student must be able to demonstrate established communication skills using traditional and alternative means. Examples of required communications skills include: • Relating effectively and sensitively to patients, conveying compassion and empathy • Perceiving verbal and non-verbal communication such as sadness, worry, agitation and lack of comprehension from patients • Eliciting information from patients and observing changes in mood and activity • Communicating quickly, effectively and efficiently in oral and written English with patients and other members of the health care team • Reading and legibly recording observations, test results and management plans accurately • Completing assignments, patient records and correspondence accurately and in a timely manner Sensory and Motor Coordination Abilities Students must possess the sensory and motor skills necessary to perform an eye examination, including emergency care. In general, this requires sufficient exteroception sense (touch, pain, temperature), proprioceptive sense (position, pressure, movement, stereognosis, and vibratory) and fine motor function (significant coordination and manual dexterity using arms, wrists, hands and fingers). Examples of skill required include but are not limited to: • Instillation of ocular pharmaceutical agents • Insertion, removal and manipulation of contact lenses • Assessment of blood pressure and pulse • Removal of foreign objects from the cornea • Simultaneous manipulation of lenses, instruments and therapeutic agents and devices • Reasonable facility of movement • Injections into the eye, lids or limbs Intellectual Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities Problem solving, a most critical skill, is essential for optometric students and must be performed quickly, especially in emergency situations. In order to be an effective problem solver, the student must be able to accurately and efficiently utilize such abilities as measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, judgment, investigation, memory, numerical recognition and synthesis. Examples of these abilities include being able to: • Determine appropriate questions to be asked and clinical tests to be performed • Identify and analyze significant findings from history, examination, and other test data • Demonstrate good judgment and provide a reasonable assessment, diagnosis and management of patients • Retain, recall and obtain information in an efficient manner • Identify and communicate the limits of one’s knowledge and skill Behavioral and Social Attributes The student must possess the necessary behavioral and social attributes for the study and practice of optometry. Examples of such attributes include: • Satisfactory emotional health required for full utilization of one’s intellectual ability • High ethical standards and integrity • An empathy with patients and concern for their welfare • Commitment to the optometric profession and its standards • Effective interpersonal relationships with patients, peers and instructors • Professional demeanor • Effective functioning under varying degrees of stress and workload • Adaptability to changing environments and uncertainties • Positive acceptance of suggestions and constructive criticism Applicants with questions or concerns about how their own conditions or disabilities might affect their ability to meet these functional guidelines are encouraged to meet with an optometry school counselor prior to submitting an application. Current ICO students with questions should meet with the Senior Director of Student Development.

Home • Admissions • Visiting ICO • Webinars Webinars Get to know us! How to Visit Webinars Recruitment Events Focus on Your Future Our live webinars cover a wide range of topics- admission to ICO, student life, financial aid, life after graduation, and more. Sessions are FREE and usually last about 30 minutes. We want you to get the most out of each presentation, so be sure to ask questions and engage with our experts. ICO webinars are open to the public but are highly recommended for prospective students. Register for an upcoming session below! Feel free to send topic suggestions to communications@ico.edu. UPCOMING WEBINARS There are no webinars currently scheduled. In the meantime, check out some of our past webinars below. ICO's Live Webinars Sign Up for Webinars Research and Program Overview Wednesday, Nov 16, 2022 Canadian Alum Panel Wednesday, Dec 14, 2022 Current Student Panel Wednesday, Jan 18, 2022 Alum Panel Thursday, February 15, 2022 Clinical Program Overview Wednesday, March 15, 2022

Millie Knight, OD, '87 My Passion Some children know exactly who they are going to be from a young age. Millicent Knight, OD ’87, was one of those kids. When she was eight years old, her teacher thought she might need an eye exam. Months later, on the way home from a vision therapy session at the Illinois Eye Institute , Millie declared to her father, “I’m going to be an eye doctor.” Dr. Knight looks back on that memory with fondness. “Here was a team of people really committed to trying to help me.” Years later, a student personally walked Dr. Knight from her eye exam in the IEI to ICO’s Admissions department . She applied, and never looked back. “My primary goal was to get a really good clinical education,” Dr. Knight explains. “ICO has one of the best clinical programs in the country. We really have fantastic professors and a great patient base… Unfortunately, there are a lot of challenges with health care in that community. That presented a great opportunity to learn firsthand how to manage these patients, and just how to be prepared for whatever might walk through your door.” Dr. Knight leveraged her ICO education into business prowess. She opened multiple practices, guiding major corporate sales and mergers along the way. Her consulting corporation, Knight Vision, coaches and cultivates growing practices. She is an advocate for underrepresented populations within optometry, based on needs she saw in the profession while at ICO. Today, Dr. Knight is Vice President of Professional Affairs, North America, at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care. It is a high-impact role creating innovative products for optometrists. The responsibilities are diverse. On any one day, Dr. Knight may collaborate with multiple teams teams- leadership, marketing, research, development, even doctors and teachers. She feels she is in “a position to help facilitate a fantastic conversation between the profession and the industry.” It’s very common to run into individuals who graduated from ICO… to just hear their experiences and some of the challenges they’ve had, and how they’ve parleyed those into great opportunities. They really give me encouragement and courage. Some of Dr. Knight’s favorite conversations happen with ICO alumni. “It’s very common to run into individuals who graduated from ICO… to just hear their experiences and some of the challenges they’ve had, and how they’ve parleyed those into great opportunities. They really give me encouragement and courage.” Another source of motivation for Dr. Knight is her family. “My mother, in particular, has always been a strong mentor for me. She retired as CEO of a mental health agency at 75.” Business sense is apparently in Dr. Knight’s genes, but her support network is wide. “My husband is a physician,” she explains. “In this profession, you need a partner. He understands private practice, commitment to patients… and he’s a great father.” Their son, a “natural athlete,” is the center of their lives. “I can’t wait to see just what he decides to do.” Dr. Knight has given back to optometry in many ways. “I really see myself as just someone who is contributing to something that has given a lot to me,” she says. Most recently, Dr. Knight contributed once again by giving ICO’s Commencement Address . She delivered a message of advocacy, gratitude, and open-mindedness to the Class of 2016. Dr. Knight offers this advice to prospective ICO students. “You need to know yourself and to think about what makes you happy.” She highly recommends shadowing a practicing optometrist. “Most optometrists love what they do, and so they’re happy to show you around.” In her own life, Dr. Knight has found mentors “in all kinds of shapes and colors and genders.” She encourages aspiring ODs to stay open, as you never know where help might come from. Listen to the Podcast to Learn More

Home • Academic Calendar Academic Calendar for Illinois College of Optometry Courses & Curriculum Student Research NBEO Scores Academic Calendar Faculty Library

Get Involved with Illinois College of Optometry Home • Alumni • Get Involved Get Involved Stay Informed There is no better mentor for future optometrists than our alumni. There are plenty of ways to get involved whether through the alumni association or shadowing. Help us foster the future generation of optometrists. Alumni Association This group encourages current and future alumni relations and upholds ICO’s commitment to excellence in clinical education. You are automatically a member once you graduate. Alumni Association Alumni Council The Alumni Council creates and implements programs to serve the needs of alumni and students. About Alumni Council Homecoming Reunite with old classmates, come meet the next generation of optometrists, or simply walk down memory lane! Explore More Ambassador Program Future ICO students want to know just what awaits them after four years of hard work. Alumni play a vital role in showing just what students can do with an optometry degree. Join our ambassador program to guide future ODs and help advance ICO’s mission. Shadow an Optometrist Before students commit to optometry, they want to understand just what it’s like to be an optometrist. Help our students better understand the many ways students can practice optometry. Externship Preceptors There are many ways to support ICO. One way is to host 4th year students during externships. Learn more about these initiatives by clicking the button below. We're always happy to see you around ICO!

Home • In Chicago • Housing Housing Find the place you belong. Day in the Life Student Blog Housing Clubs & Organizations Health & Safety You have two options when choosing housing in Chicago: living at the RC or living off campus. Living at the Residential Complex There is no more convenient place to live than the RC. Located directly across the street from ICO, you will have direct access to ICO facilities just a few steps away. Especially for first- and second-year students, the RC provides a terrific opportunity to get to know your class better. Throughout the year, many events are organized by the RC team. Most first-year students start by living in a suite with other first-year students and if they choose to stay, move upstairs to private apartments during their second and third years. Some students even choose to stay in the RC all four years! ICO partners with IIT to provide dining options for our students. Their cafeteria is about a three minute walk from ICO. Students who live in a single or large single room in a suite are required to enroll IIT's Block230 meal plan. Show me the R.C.! 2024-25 ROOM RATES Rates listed per person, per academic quarter Housing in Chicago For those who want a bit of distance between work and home or those who are moving to the city with a partner or a furry friend, there are many options to rent as well. Most students will choose to live in one of three areas: around ICO (the Bronzeville neighborhood), in Bridgeport, the nearest neighborhood to ICO, or in the South Loop (downtown!) If you come from the east or west coast, rent is usually more affordable in Chicago. If you come from a smaller town, you may find the rental prices high in Chicago. For its size, Chicago is a relatively inexpensive city. Chicago has a great public transit system that is a great way to travel and avoid traffic jams. For those commuting via car, your search can be expanded, but you can expect a significant commute as streets in Chicago get crowded, especially during rush hour. Housing Insecurity Support In accordance with the Illinois Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act , the Illinois College of Optometry is committed to supporting students that may be at-risk of housing insecurity. Click here for more information.

Home Consumer Information Housing Insecurity Support In accordance with the Illinois Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act , the Illinois College of Optometry is committed to supporting students that may be at-risk of housing insecurity. Debra Albers , Director of Student Engagement, is the IBHE designated House Liaison for ICO. Together with other staff members in the Student Affairs office, they support students by connecting them to on- and off-campus resources removing barriers so a student can succeed in their studies. The HOUSE Liaison Process Who qualifies for support under the Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act? The  Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act supports “students experiencing shelter and care and includes a homeless individual as defined under the federal homelessness” or “homeless student[s]” defined as: “An individual enrolled in an institution who lacks or is at imminent risk of lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence or whose parent or legal guardian is unable or unwilling to provide McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act . Likewise, HOUSE liaisons support "student(s) in care," which is any person regardless of age who is or was under the care and legal custody of the department of children and family services. Students who are at risk of immediate housing insecurity should work directly with Assistant Dean for Student Success, Beth Karmis . What do the HOUSE liaisons do? HOUSE liaisons serve as a liaison for students experiencing housing insecurity by connecting them to on and off campus resources. Those on campus working with students include the Dean of Student Affairs, the Assistant Dean for Student Success, the Financial Aid Coordinator, and the Director of Student Engagement. Resources off-campus include but are not limited to social service agencies, apartment rental services, and shelters. The liaison is also responsible for gathering and reporting key data (no names or personal information) on this student population to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, including the graduation and retention rate and the number of homeless students and students in care enrolled at ICO each year.  What if I need housing outside of the academic year? For all students the HOUSE liaison will work with you to develop a plan to mitigate your housing insecurity. Enrolled students who are deemed as a “homeless student” or “student experiencing homelessness” during a designated academic break (e.g., winter & summer breaks) may be eligible for on-campus housing if there is availability.  Indicators of a housing insecure student Some common identifiers include: Residing with friends in a temporary living space (e.g., couch) Having no place to live in-between leases or academic break periods Overly concerned about how to complete documentation needed for the institution that requires parental signatures Difficulty providing an address Giving vague answers about their living situation Stressed about where they will be living during the summer Hunger Wearing the same clothes repeatedly Exhaustion Expressing feeling like their only option is to drop out of school Additional Resources Below is a list of campus and community resources available to support students who are experiencing homelessness or do not have stable housing. Emergency Assistance: Local Community Resources: If you or a student you know is seeking information about local area shelters, drop-in centers, food pantries, and other resources, below you will find searchable guides with customizable filters, including zip code and eligibility requirements. Streetlight Chicago : Streetlight Chicago is a project of the  Chicago Coalition for the Homeless  that provide up-to-date information on critical resources like shelter, food, and health care. Findhelp : Findhelp's network connects people seeking help (Seekers) and verified social care organizations that serve them. Find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more. Homeless Shelter Directory also provides information on other services like Food Banks, Free Dental Centers, Free Rehab Center and Free Mental Health Centers. Food: Saint James Catholic Church—Food Distribution Center 2907 South Wabash Avenue Chicago, IL 60616 Regular Pantry Program - St. James Food Pantry distributes food on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 9–11 a.m. If you would like to get help, call 312.842.1919 ext. 215 or visit the pantry during its regular operating hours. Emergency Program Emergency services are available to all clients with social service referrals. Emergency food, infant formula, and diapers are provided Monday through Thursday between 9–11 a.m. Lunch Program for Persons Without Housing The Lunch Program began in 2005 to address the needs of people without housing who have no way of cooking or refrigerating food. Lunches are served Monday through Thursday from 1–3 p.m. Second Saturday of the Month Pantry Program St. James Food Pantry participates in the Food Depository’s Mobile Pantry program to provide supplemental perishable and non-perishable food products to individuals on the second Saturday of the month from 9–11 a.m. This service is designed to ensure that all people in Cook County have access to food during times not typical for food distribution. Matthew House 3728 South Indiana Avenue Chicago, IL 60653 Matthew House, a nonprofit and community-based organization, provides food, daytime shelter, permanent supportive housing, and supportive services to men, women, families, and children who are experiencing or at risk of becoming homeless.

Home Consumer Information Admissions Policy As a graduate professional program, ICO admits only those students who have previously completed a baccalaureate degree or those who have completed either 90 semester/135 quarter hours of undergraduate work in good standing from an accredited undergraduate degree program. All candidates for ICO Admission must meet the following criteria to enter into our Doctor of Optometry program. For consideration of admissions to the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), applicants must successfully complete the outlined prerequisites listed below with a grade of “C” or better from a regionally accredited institution. Completion of additional science coursework, preferably in human-based biological science is strongly recommended. Coursework may be planned or in-progress at the time of application. ICO will accept Advanced Placement (AP) courses for the prerequisites if the minimum number of credit hours is met. AP courses must appear on an applicant’s official college transcript or in a letter from the institution’s Registrar where the AP coursework was awarded. ICO accepts applications from all majors. REQUIRED PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK Course Minimum Semester Hours Minimum Quarter Hours 6 3 3 6 3 6 3 6 3 3 English Composition/Literature Or similar graded non-remedial writing courses. One course in public speaking is acceptable. College Calculus Pre-calculus is not acceptable. Statistics Business statistics is not recommended. Psychology statistics or biostatistics are acceptable. Biology with Laboratory General biology, physiology, zoology and comparative anatomy are all acceptable. Botany does not apply. Microbiology with Laboratory Bacteriology is also acceptable. General Chemistry with Laboratory Inorganic Chemistry is also acceptable. Organic Chemistry Laboratory is not required. Physics with Laboratory The sequence does not need to be calculus-based. Psychology Both introductory and upper-level psychology courses are acceptable. Social Science Economics, political science, anthropology, sociology or an additional psychology course are acceptable. 9 4.5 4.5 9 4.5 9 4.5 9 4.5 4.5 The following areas will be taken into consideration as applications are reviewed: Academic History (GPA’s/transcripts, prerequisite courses, and bachelor’s degree(s)) OAT and/or GRE scores Letters of Recommendations (2) Professional Knowledge (shadowing, observation, internships, extracurricular activities, as well as knowledge of pertinent websites and publications in the profession) ICO has rolling admissions. Applicants are not required to have completed all admissions requirements at the time of application. As long as applicants complete the OAT by the application deadline and have a plan to successfully complete the academic requirements by August of their desired year of entry an applicant can apply. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applications to ICO must be initiated via the Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS) starting at the end of June of each year and must be submitted by the application deadline each year. The OptomCAS Online Application includes a personal statement & fee. The following items are to be submitted to OptomCAS: Official Transcript(s) Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) and/or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (Only scores reported within the last two years are acceptable.) Letters of Recommendations: Professor or an Academic/Pre-Health Advisor. Pre-health faculty committee letters are also acceptable. We do not accept letters from research supervisors or teaching assistants (TAs). Practicing Optometrist (non-relative) TOEFL, if English is a second language After receiving an applicant’s completed application from OptomCAS, applicants can expect to hear back regarding their application status within 3-4 weeks via email. For those deemed competitive, applicants are invited to interview and complete the online Interview Profile Form (essay & Pre-Optometry Coursework Sheet). Due to COVID-19, interviews are taking place virtually, instead of on campus. Interviews are conducted mid-September through the end of April and are conducted primarily by faculty and/or college administrators. Applicants are notified of their decision within 2-3 weeks of their interview date. ICO does accept applications from applicants who have previously applied or looking to transfer from another optometry school. To re-apply, applicants must apply through OptomCAS and provide updated transcripts (if applicable). It is recommended re-applicants call the Office of Admissions to schedule a counseling session prior to reapplying. Transfer applicants (those who are currently enrolled in good standing at an optometry school) must contact the Office of Admissions for instructions on how to apply. If an applicant was dismissed or no longer in good standing at an optometry school, the applicant must apply through OptomCAS. Any applicants who previously attended an optometry school will be considered for a seat in the first-year class. Only after gaining acceptance can an applicant apply for advanced standing. ICO accepts applications from international applicants. International applicants must fulfill all general admissions requirements and apply through OptomCAS. For those educated outside of the United States or Canada, or if an applicant’s transcripts are not in English, the transcripts must be submitted to an official evaluation service. ICO accepts transcript evaluations from the World Education Services and Educational Credential Evaluators. The final report must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. Applicants for whom English is a second language must demonstrate proficiency in both written and spoken English. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants for whom English is a second language. If an applicant feels compelled to forego this examination, a written waiver request must be submitted to the Office of Admissions. International students who are selected for admissions to the program must present proof of financial responsibility mid-June of their admitted year. Evidence of financial responsibility will allow ICO to issue the student an I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) which must be presented to the US Consular Office in their home country (or, for Canadian citizens, at the port of entry/Canadian border) to apply for an F-1 nonimmigrant visa. International accepted candidates will use the following documents to apply for an F-1 Visa: Form I-20 AB Evidence of English ability Evidence of intent to depart the US after completion of studies Passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay Financial support documentation Student and Exchange Visitor Information System fee receipt In addition, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations require that individuals seeking status as an F-1 nonimmigrant student pay a $350 fee to cover the costs for the continued operation of the Student Exchange Visitor Program, including the administration and maintenance of SEVIS. Student and exchange visitors will have the options to pay with a check by mail or with a credit card via the Internet. The DHS will also accept fee payment from a third party, either in the US or abroad. For current SEVIS fee information, applicants should refer to the US Immigration & Customs Enforcement website. As applicants navigate the application process, they are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions should they have any questions and/or updates to their application.