Doctor of Optometry International Advanced-Standing Pathway (OD-AS) Application Process and Checklist

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Stanford

Checklist for completing all required materials for the Doctor of Optometry International Advanced-Standing Pathway (OD-AS). Covers online application submission, supplemental non-refundable fee, eligibility requirements, official transcripts and foreign coursework evaluations, English language proficiency test scores or waiver details, curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation. Also includes optional OAT and NBEO score reporting and placement timelines, proof of funding and U.S. residency requirements when applicable, and interview and placement review steps, with deadline dates and contact information for Admissions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Application Deadlines and Submission

Required Application Materials

Online Application and Fee

Eligibility Criteria

Transcripts and Evaluations

English Language Proficiency

Curriculum Vitae and Recommendations

OAT and NBEO (If Applicable)

Proof of Funding and Legal Residency (If Required)

Interview and Placement Review

Admissions Contact

WESTERN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES Doctor of Optometry International Advanced-Standing Pathway (OD-AS) APPLICATION PROCESS AND CHECKLIST Use this checklist to track completion of all required application materials for the Doctor of Optometry International Advanced-Standing Pathway. The application opens March 1, 2026 and closes November 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. All materials must be received by the deadline; qualified candidates may be invited to an interview. ☐ A) WESTERNU ONLINE APPLICATION ☐ Submit the WesternU online application by 11:59 PM (EST), November 1, 2026. ☐ Complete all required application questions and upload the personal statement and requested program materials. ☐ B) SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION FEE ☐ Pay the $200 non-refundable application fee online at the time the application is submitted. ☐ C) ELIGIBILITY Applicants must meet at least one of the pathway eligibility criteria. ☐ Currently enrolled in, or previously attended, an optometry program outside the United States or Canada. ☐ Earned an optometry degree outside the United States or Canada. ☐ Earned a terminal medical degree outside the United States or Canada. ☐ D) OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS & FOREIGN COURSEWORK EVALUATIONS ☐ Submit official transcripts for U.S. or Canadian coursework directly to WesternU. ☐ For coursework completed outside the United States or Canada, obtain a U.S. course-by-course evaluation from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny & Associates (JSA) . ☐ Confirm the evaluation includes letter grades or pass/fail/credit designations and identifies undergraduate, graduate, and professional coursework. ☐ Request that the official evaluation be released directly to WesternU. ☐ E) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ☐ Submit an official TOEFL iBT score of at least 79, or an official English3 (E3PT) overall score of at least 75, unless a waiver is approved. ☐ Confirm the score report is within two years of the application date and is released directly to WesternU. ☐ TOEFL MyBest scores are not accepted; the applicable internet-based score is used. ☐ If requesting a waiver, submit a detailed explanation to Admissions for committee review. ☐ F) CURRICULUM VITAE ☐ Submit a current curriculum vitae detailing current and prior professional and clinical experiences. ☐ G) LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION ☐ Submit three (3) letters of recommendation. ☐ At least one letter is recommended from an optometrist or clinical supervisor. ☐ Letters must have at least two forms of contact information and a signature. ☐ Additional letters may come from faculty, pre-health advisors, employers, or other individuals familiar with your work. ☐ H) OAT SCORES, IF APPLICABLE ☐ If you have taken the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), release your official scores to Western University of Health Sciences. ☐ I) NBEO SCORE REPORTS & PLACEMENT, IF APPLICABLE NBEO examinations may be used as part of the individualized placement process. ☐ Release applicable NBEO Part I, II, and/or III score reports when requested. ☐ Applicants seeking consideration for fourth-year placement must pass all three NBEO parts before a final placement decision. ☐ For August matriculation, Part I should be completed no later than March, Part II no later than April, and Part III no later than May. ☐ Understand that passing NBEO examinations does not guarantee advanced placement. ☐ J) PROOF OF FUNDING & LEGAL U.S. RESIDENCY, IF REQUIRED ☐ International students must provide proof of funding for one academic year before an I-20 can be issued. ☐ Applicants who are not U.S. citizens and are living in the United States must provide proof of legal U.S. residency prior to matriculation. ☐ K) INTERVIEW & PLACEMENT REVIEW ☐ If invited, complete the required interview. ☐ Be prepared for individualized academic and clinical placement review, which may include prior coursework, clinical experience, NBEO performance, an on-ca

FAQs

What are the key application deadlines for the OD-AS pathway?

The application opens March 1, 2026 and closes November 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. All materials must be received by the deadline to be processed.

Which eligibility criteria can applicants meet for the OD-AS pathway?

Applicants must meet at least one criterion, including having studied or earned an optometry degree outside the United States or Canada, or having earned a terminal medical degree outside the United States or Canada.

What English language proficiency scores are required, and can a waiver be requested?

Submit an official TOEFL iBT score of at least 79 or an official English3 (E3PT) overall score of at least 75. A waiver may be approved, and a detailed explanation must be submitted for committee review.

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Stanford