2022-23 Invest in Your Future—Southern College of Optometry

INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE

170,006

$

AVERAGE NET INCOME UP TO $170,006 FOR OPTOMETRISTS WHO OWN ALL OR A PORTION OF THEIR PRACTICE

Optometry as a Career

SCO 101

During your educational journey, many windows

WHO ARE OPTOMETRISTS?

of opportunity will open for you. Whether through

Optometrists are primary care providers for eye and

your courses, organizations or simply the people you

vision care who diagnose, treat and manage diseases

meet, the key to finding the best career match for

and disorders of the eye, the visual system and

you is to keep an open mind. We at Southern College

associated structures.

of Optometry (SCO) encourage you to explore your options and ask questions.

WHERE DO OPTOMETRISTS WORK?

Anywhere and everywhere! Optometrists work in a variety of settings ranging from a solo or

At SCO, your educational training will prepare you for this outstanding career.

Remember, your education is an investment in your future. If you make sound decisions now, you will reap the benefits later.

If you are interested in a profession that helps people live better lives, provides a stimulating work environment, and allows you and your family to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without sacrificing work/life balance, optometry is a career you should investigate!

group private practice, to larger venues such as hospitals, health maintenance organizations and referral centers.

IS THERE MORE TO OPTOMETRY THAN GLASSES AND EYE EXAMS?

The optometric field is vast, diverse and growing every day. Optometrists are now providing patient services in the areas of specialty contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, sports vision rehabilitation and post-surgical care, just to name a few.

WHAT IS THE DAY-TO-DAY LIKE FOR AN OPTOMETRIST?

Flexibility allows optometrists to enjoy a work/life balance that prioritizes personal health and family obligations. Many optometrists own or partner a practice and experience the role of not only doctor and healthcare professional, but also smallbusiness owner.

WHAT INCOME CAN AN OPTOMETRIST EXPECT TO EARN?

Data from the American Optometric Association’s

5

COMMITTED TO SERVICE

7

STUDENT LIFE

9

CAMPUS DEMOGRAPHICS

11

MEMPHIS

13

ADMISSIONS

15

FINANCE AND MANAGE DEBT

17

SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

19 FAQS

21

2019 Survey of Optometric Practice shows the average net incomes ranging from $144,228 for the primary practice of optometry to $170,006 for optometrists who own all or a portion of their practice.

3

TIMETABLES AND FACTS

27

ESTABLISHED IN

1932

7000+ ALUMNI PRACTICING IN ALL 50 STATES AND WORLDWIDE

539

STUDENTS ATTENDED SCO IN 2021-2022

9:1 STUDENT-TOFACULTY RATIO

SCO 101 Founded in 1932, Southern College of

With a low 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, SCO’s

Optometry is an independent non-for-

faculty are easily accessible for one-on-

profit coeducational institution of higher

one classroom and/or clinical instruction.

learning. As the largest optometry school

Faculty members are all practicing

in the southern United States, SCO has

optometrists, and many engage in a wide

graduated over 8,000 optometrists, including

range of research projects, including a

Our mission is to lead the profession of optometry by educating the best possible healthcare providers, promoting lifelong learning, and fostering a personal commitment to service.

12 presidents of the American Optometric Association.

SCO offers a four-year curriculum with courses in the biomedical, optometric and clinical sciences leading to the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) Degree. SCO’s advanced facilities feature biomedical labs, expanded and renovated optometry labs, laser instruction, and biomedical and clinical research areas.

The college’s academic facilities utilize cutting edge technology and interactive instructional methods. In 2013, SCO built a state-of-the-art academic and educational facility to provide greater classroom space and technology access over 23,016 new square feet of space.

SCO also offers a 14,264 square foot Activity

collaborative summer research program with students. By contributing to basic and visual science literature, faculty research enriches each student’s classroom experience.

Center that features basketball, volleyball and racquetball courts, fitness equipment, aerobics, along with a recreation area.

5

SCO AWARDED VOLUNTEER MEMPHIS’ 2019 CORPORATE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR MEDIUM EMPLOYER CATEGORY

Committed to Service One of the hallmarks of the SCO mission is

to be exceptional doctors. Our clinical facility, The

fostering a personal commitment to service.

Eye Center, is one of the largest state-of-the-art

Optometry is a profession dedicated to enriching

vision and eye care facilities in the nation and the

not only the visual health, but also the everyday

center of our patient care.

lives of patients. That same sense of helping others is encouraged in SCO’s students through service-learning.

Optometry is a people profession dedicated to enriching the vision health and lives of patients.

The Eye Center has 48,000 square feet of usable space and provides the opportunity to introduce clinical exposure to the students early in the curriculum.

SCO’s students serve others in a variety of positive ways. Some are active in the local community by tutoring and mentoring at risk students. Others volunteer their time with service projects such as the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event where volunteers

It is designed to be patient, student and doctor friendly, while also incorporating the most up-todate features and equipment such as:

•

Examination rooms equipped with the latest in electronic health record

paint or renovate a local school.

management systems.

Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH) is one of SCO’s most popular student organizations; it provides free eye care and glasses to impoverished international areas via annual 10-day service trips. Since 1975, members of SVOSH have served over 200,000 patients in 16 different countries.

Students also participate in Remote Area Medical to provide vision screenings in underserved areas.

Volunteering at the Special Olympics is another way our students give back during their time at SCO.

•

14 individual spaces for advanced technology-based testing.

• • •

A retinal laser center.

A digital angiography center.

An advanced procedures and observatory suite.

• • • •

Conference rooms for group learning.

A patient simulation laboratory.

An optical service area.

Practice suites which enable interns to experience an exceptional practice atmosphere with the attending staff doctors.

Whether volunteering time or service through an awareness event or a student organization, opportunities are plentiful for the SCO community to make a difference in the lives of others.

In addition to The Eye Center, students also join faculty members and interns in seeing patients at FocalPoint at Crosstown Concourse and University Eyecare on the campus of the University of

SCO’s clinical education is also designed to

Memphis. The MobilEYES Community Vision

highlight the people-focused aspects of optometry

Unit takes care directly to patients as it travels

and ensure students have the experience needed

throughout the community.

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133

STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF RAN THE 2019 ST. JUDE MARATHON, RECOGNIZED BY ALSAC AS THE LARGEST CORPORATE TEAM PARTICIPATING IN THE EVENT

Student Life Approximately 90% of SCO students are active members in at least one student organization. For almost any organization which exists on undergraduate campuses, a comparable organization is active at SCO. The Student Government Association (SGA) recommends policies and coordinates many of the academic, service and social events on campus. The SGA also oversees an extensive intramural program open to all students, spouses, faculty and staff. Intramural sports include basketball, softball, golf, flag football, racquetball and volleyball, with many events housed in the SCO Activity Center.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) A national organization of optometry students dedicated to the enhancement of educational, political and professional concerns.

Beta Sigma Kappa An international optometry honor fraternity whose purpose is to stimulate scientific attainment and ethical practice.

College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) Dedicated to raising awareness that vision involves more than eyesight and to expanding the number of students that will deliver developmental vision care and vision therapy to their patients.

Contact Lens Society Open to third- and fourth-year students interested in expanding their knowledge of contact lenses through presentations by guest lecturers.

Fellowship of Christian Optometrists For the promotion of good will and Christian belief within the profession of optometry.

Gamma Omicron Dedicated to increasing awareness of women’s issues in optometry, networking opportunities and professional development.

Gold Key Society Honors outstanding students whose professional and ethical attitudes are in the interest of service to their class, college and profession.

Lions Club Promoting service through community involvement, especially working with those who are visually impaired.

Low Vision Club Providing information for students interested in low vision patient care.

National Optometric Student Association (NOSA) Dedicated to increasing minority representation in optometry.

Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) Focused on bringing an interprofessional approach with multiple health care providers in order to advance the art and science of rehabilitation for brain injury patients.

Omega Delta, Iota Chapter Oldest and largest optometric fraternity; activities include the SCO holiday party, tutoring retinoscopy for first-year students, camping and canoe trips, and other social events.

Ocular Disease Club Dedicated to increasing exposure to ocular disease by discussing rare cases and learning more about future aspects of a career in disease management.

Optometric Private Practice Club Dedicated to preparing students for the business of optometry by providing resources and information from experienced persons, practices and business entities.

Spectrum A school community where all students and faculty/staff feel welcome and supported, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Sports Vision Society Provides vision care to athletes at the state and international levels.

State Clubs A collection of students interested in practicing in a particular state.

Student Ambassador Program Members assist in student recruitment, admissions and public relations functions for the college. Ambassadors are selected each year from the first-year class on the basis of academic performance, nominations by faculty and staff, and interviews.

Student Chapter of the Academy of American Optometry (SCAAO) Official student chapter of the academy, promoting research and scholarly activity in optometry.

Student Public Health Vision Care Association (SPHViCA) Connecting students who have an interest in public health to promote health and wellbeing, with an emphasis in vision and eye health.

Student Volunteers in Optometric Service to Humanity (SVOSH) SVOSH members work year-round to prepare for their annual 10-day service trips. Activities include collecting, inspecting and sorting donated eyeglasses, and various projects to help finance travel expenses. Membership is open to all interested students.

9

Our student diversity makes the SCO experience a true learning endeavor.

ENTERING CLASS OF 2021: 136 UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS

Campus Demographics SCO is one of the most regionally diverse optometry schools in the nation. Our student body represents various academic backgrounds, ethnicities and life experiences. For example, our 2021-2022 student body came from 45 states, Canada, China and Ethiopia. Our diversity makes the SCO experience a true learning endeavor.

The geographic representation of the SCO student body for the 2021-2022 academic year was as follows:

95

41

FEMALE

MALE

20-28 AGE RANGE

23

MEAN AGE

10

MARRIED

126 SINGLE

Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . 0

Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

New Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

New Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

North Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Connecticut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Delaware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Ethiopia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

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SCO SERVES AS THE OFFICIAL EYE DOCTORS OF THE MEMPHIS REDBIRDS AND THE 901FC SOCCER FRANCHISE

Memphis, TN: The Bluff City Memphis, TN is SCO’s hometown and the secret behind why our

home. The city is also home to the wonderful Children’s Museum

student experience is so enjoyable. A big city with a small-town

and the Memphis Zoo and Aquarium, both of which offer family

feel, Memphis has one of the lowest costs of living in the nation.

discounts.

This allows our students to enjoy many of the things a major metropolis has to offer, yet at an affordable price.

Memphis features several immersive shopping venues, including one of the largest retail stores in the world, Bass Pro Shops at the

MUSIC

Pyramid. The massive destination experience offers something

Sitting on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, Memphis

for everyone, from serious outdoor enthusiast to fun-loving

is known for its rich musical heritage. SCO students have many

families.

opportunities to enjoy the sounds of Memphis and visit historical

SPORTS

and cultural hubs such as:

• • • •

Graceland, the home of Elvis.

Beale Street, birthplace of rock ‘n roll.

Numerous musical clubs ranging from blues to gospel.

An array of music festivals throughout the year.

CULTURE

Memphis is world-renowned for its culture. The Memphis in May International Festival, the city’s premier cultural experience, annually hosts and celebrates another country’s culture, music and cuisine. This festival also sponsors the World Championship

The Memphis sports scene is very active. The city is home to several professional teams and tournaments, such as:

•

The Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)

•

The Memphis Redbirds

•

The 901FC Soccer Team

•

The FedEx St. Jude

Barbecue Cooking Contest, and the Beale Street Music Festival.

(AAA Baseball) (USL Championship) Invitational (WGC)

Memphis features several unique and award-winning museums,

If you prefer college sports, the

such as the acclaimed National Civil Rights Museum. Memphis

city not only has the University

also hosts a diverse range of touring musicians, performers

of Memphis, but it is also in

and Broadway productions at the historic Orpheum Theatre, in

the heart of the Southeastern

addition to our very own Ballet Memphis, Opera Memphis and

Conference.

the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. The city is also home to a great selection of locally-owned restaurants with a broad range of cuisines, most of which are well within a student’s budget.

Conveniently, many of these attractions are located in or near the city’s rejuvenated Downtown area, just minutes from SCO. FAMILY FRIENDLY

Students with families find Memphis a great place to live.

Many of these major sporting events are held at either the FedEx Forum or AutoZone Park – voted one of the best baseball venues in America – both centrally located in Downtown Memphis.

Due to the moderate weather we have in Memphis, our students enjoy all of the music, culture, sports and outdoor activities this city has to offer year-round.

Because the city offers such a low cost of living in a reasonable housing market, about 10% of SCO students are able to own a

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3.66 | 338

AVERAGE GPA | OAT SCORES FOR THE ENTERING CLASS OF 2021

Admissions SCO participates in the centralized application service known

or university. Strong preference is given to applicants with

as OptomCAS. The service collects student information, official

baccalaureate or higher degrees. The required pre-requisite

transcripts, Optometry Admission Test (OAT) scores and letters

courses are as follows:

of recommendation, then forwards them directly to optometry

•

General Biology w/Labs (1 year)

•

General Physics w/Labs (1 year)

•

Microbiology w/Lab (1 course)

Calculus (1 course)

•

General Chemistry w/Labs (1 year)

• • •

•

Organic Chemistry w/Lab (1 course)

•

Biochemistry (1 course)

schools. SCO accepts applications June 30 through March 1 of each year; however, applying in the early stages of the cycle is strongly encouraged. SCO utilizes a rolling admissions process and offers of acceptance begin in August.

Like any endeavor worth pursuing in life, it takes careful preparation to become an optometrist.

• •

Statistics (1 course) General Psychology (1 course) Social Science (1 year) English (1 year)

For the 2022-2023 academic year, non-regional tuition is $39,938.

A limited number of regional seats are available for competitive applicants from states that support contracts with SCO. The contracts provide eligible students with significant reduction

SCO requires a minimum of two letters of recommendation:

in tuition. For more information on regional seats, please

one from a pre-health advisor or natural science professor, and

contact the Admissions Office or visit sco.edu/state-residency-

one from a non-relative optometrist with whom the applicant

certification.

has worked or shadowed. OptomCAS accepts up to four letters of recommendation, but be sure these two are among those submitted.

Before an interview invitation can be extended, SCO must receive all application and supplemental documents, as well as the official OAT scores. Interview invitations are only extended to the most promising applicants based on academic performance, OAT scores and experience in optometry.

SCO attracts students nationally and internationally, and it recruits directly from close to 100 campuses every year. Updated listings of campus visits or presentations are found in the Events for Prospective Students section of the SCO website.

Prior to application, prospective students are encouraged to schedule a campus visit to meet with an admissions officer and receive a tour of SCO. For more detailed information or to schedule a campus tour, contact the Student Services Office at

A minimum of 90 semester (or 135 quarter) hours of under-

admissions@sco.edu or call (800)-238-0180. More information

graduate work is required for admission, with at least 30

can also be found on our website at sco.edu.

semester (or 45 quarter) hours completed at a four-year college

15

25 # OF YEARS

OUR GRADUATES HAVE MAINTAINED A 0% DEFAULT RATE

Finance and Manage Debt One of SCO’s primary objectives is to provide students with the

This chart uses a federal loan rate of 5.28%. Since some graduates

means to complete our program with the least possible debt at

have tax deductions (i.e. marriage, children, mortgage, etc.),

graduation. The first step in managing debt is controlling what

these estimates are conservative. Many SCO graduates choose

you spend.

to slightly increase the amount of their monthly repayments.

Our Financial Aid Office works individually with students to develop realistic financing strategies. Counselors meet with students at least annually through our Debt Management Program to make sure students have sufficient funds at the best rates, and that they are borrowing wisely. Our Debt Management Program educates students on how debt can also be minimized through budgeting, personal savings, maintaining zero credit

This method, even with only a small increase each month, will shorten a 10-year repayment schedule by several years.

FEDERAL WORK-STUDY

SCO participates in the Federal Work-Study Program, which allows students to work on campus up to 20 hours per week towards their educational expenses.

card balances and part-time work. This program, coupled with

To apply for Federal Work-Study, each student must submit the

minimal tuition increases and added scholarships and awards,

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the Federal

has led to SCO graduates having a 0% default rate for the past

Government. A student’s ability to contribute to educational

24 years.

costs will be calculated according to Federal criteria and will

Below is a loan repayment chart for an SCO graduate who

determine eligibility.

accumulates $140,000 in student loans. The chart uses annual

Graduating with the least possible debt allows our alumni greater

net income projections in line with national averages and

flexibility in repaying loans and thus greater personal financial

is assuming a repayment period of 10 years with no

freedom. SCO’s Office of Financial Aid offers a debt management

deductions taken.

program where financial aid officers work closely with each

Years After Graduation

Annual Net Income

After Tax Net Monthly Income

Monthly Loan Repayment

After Tax Net Monthly Income After Payment

1

$90,000

$6,064

$967

$5,097

2

$97,500

$6,529

$1,047

$5,482

3

$105,000

$6,980

$1,128

$5,852

4

$112,500

$7,429

$1,208

$6,221

5

$120,000

$7,879

$1,289

$6,590

6-10

$140,000

$9,080

$1,504

$7,576

student in developing a budget and planning out financial needs, leading our students to be better borrowers.

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770,000

$

Rewarding academic and clinical excellence through scholarships is a top priorty for SCO. APPROXIMATE DOLLAR VALUE OF SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO THE ENTERING CLASS OF 2022

Scholarships and Awards SCO offers a significant number of endowed scholarships

In addition to the endowed scholarships for entering students,

and awards for incoming students. Eligibility requirements

SCO offers other endowed scholarships and awards to currently

vary, but most require exemplary achievements in academics,

enrolled students through the Annual Student Awards Program.

OAT performance, leadership and/or service. SCO annually

Overall, approximately 50% of SCO students receive academic

awards four-year scholarships to more than one-half of each

scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 per year, and we are

entering class.

actively seeking ways to expand scholarship opportunities.

Approximately $770,000 were awarded to the entering class of

Rewarding academic and clinical achievement through

2022 through the endowed scholarship fund. A complete listing

scholarships is a top priority for the college and its alumni.

of scholarships with the requirements for each is published in the college catalog.

Annual scholarship approximations for the entering class of 2022 include:

• $20,000 (10)

• $7,000 (10)

• $10,000 (15)

• $1,000-3,000 (25)

• $15,000 (10)

• $5,000 (20)

Rewarding academic and clinical excellence through scholarships is a top priority for the college.

19

FAQs

worry! The SCO admissions team is here to help every step of the way.

How do I apply for admission, and how difficult is it to get into SCO?

What are the similarities and differences between optometry and medical school?

Emme Gilchrist | Kansas City, MO | SCO Class of 2023 Your journey to optometry school will start with OptomCAS, which is the centralized application service that all optometry schools use for prospective students to file and send their application materials.

Donnie Koonce | Charlotte, NC | SCO Class of 2024 Medical school and optometry school are similar in a lot of ways.

There are four main sections of OptomCAS: Personal Information, Academic History, Supporting Information and Program Materials. When preparing your application materials, begin gathering your college transcripts, OAT scores, letters of recommendation and your undergrad experiences, including volunteer work, employment and shadowing.

First, they both require prospective students to complete prerequisites in math and science courses (contact your desired optometry school to determine what you need to take).

Secondly, both schools require applicants to take an admissions test. Optometry schools often require the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), and medical schools often require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Both of these tests ensure mastery of basic knowledge in Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Reading Comprehension; however, the OAT includes a Physics section, whereas the MCAT includes a Behavioral Sciences section. Both schools will have multiple applications and an interview round.

Consider taking the OAT before the application opens, or early in the cycle. If you want to improve your score and take it again, then you will still have time, but be sure to manage your time wisely.

While preparing your optometry school application, I would recommend shadowing optometrists in different modes of practice. This will be beneficial during the interview process while also giving you a better understanding of the profession.

The overall structure is similar between medical school and optometry school once you are accepted into your respective programs.

Shortly after submitting your completed application, you may be invited for an admission interview where you’ll speak with admissions counselors, meet one-on-one with a member of SCO’s faculty, tour the campus, meet current students and ask questions.

Your first two years are comprised of didactic courses.

Both schools will require higher level science courses such as Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, Biochemistry and Pharmacology; however, they differ in the material of some classes. Keep in mind that medical school requires students to learn about all parts and systems of the body in order to prepare them for any medical field.

Optometry school places more of an emphasis on the ocular system and has several classes that might not be covered in the first two years of medical school.

SCO’s competitiveness stems from many excellent factors, including our impressive board passage rates and student statistics. During the admissions cycle for the Class of 2024, 812 students applied while only 136 were matriculated. The mean GPA was 3.65 and the mean OAT was 336. While these scores are impressive, if you don’t meet the GPA or OAT averages, don’t be discouraged! The admissions team will consider much more than your scores when assessing your application, including your interview skills, past experiences and letters of recommendation.

The third and fourth years of both schools introduce students to the clinic. The third year is a mixture of clinical experience and a lighter course load. The fourth year is almost exclusively externships and rotations to ensure students get maximum exposure in patient care.

The application process for optometry school can feel stressful and even overwhelming at times, but don’t

21

The students will see their own patients under a staff doctor.

Throughout your time at both schools, you will be tested with national board exams. Board exams are taken in three parts, and both future ODs and MDs are required to pass all three before they can obtain their licensure and practice.

After you finish your four years of optometry school and pass your boards, you are free to begin practicing optometry. This differs from medical school in the sense that you are required to do a residency to specialize in a field of medicine before you’re able to practice.

A residency is further advancement in education in a concentrated area such as pediatrics or primary care.

Medical residencies range anywhere from three to seven years, adding additional time to a future MDs medical training. Optometrists have the ability to do a one-to-two-year residency, and they’re becoming steadily more popular; however, a residency is not a requirement.

Even though medical school is a prestigious and worthwhile path to take, if you have a passion for vision and ocular health, optometry is the field for you!

How expensive is optometry school? How will I finance my education?

Noah Linhart | Derby, KS | SCO Class of 2025 Optometry School, like any other Doctoral/Medical Program, comes with a high price tag. Between the tuition, fees, equipment, books, housing and cost of living, it is unlikely that many students will graduate without some form of student debt. However, by choosing to attend SCO, I have improved my financial security during and after optometry school.

SCO has a very robust program and runs one of the largest eye care centers in North America. As such, this allows them to offer tuition to students at one of the lowest prices of any school in the country, along with a world class education. SCO also makes a lot of scholarship money available to students, and a total of 90% of current students were awarded some form of financial aid. The cost of living in the Memphis area is

also very competitive. It Is fully possible to find great, safe living accommodations for a fraction of the price that you might find in another major city.

The financial aid department also helps students put together a stellar financial aid package that considers scholarships, awards and student loans, as well as any specific financial budget. They make the process easy, intuitive and flexible should you need to adjust your award for any reason.

All of this together makes SCO one of the most budget friendly optometry schools available. I personally found that I could graduate from SCO with half of the student debt that I might expect at my second-choice school.

However, even with all of these savings, you still need to careful with your money.

One of my best pieces of advice would be to create a budget! Consider your rent, groceries, gas etc. Make sure to factor in the expenses that you might not originally think about as well, such as fees for clubs you may want to join, or technology. Always make sure to budget in a little bit of money for fun as well. Optometry school will be challenging, so you want to make sure you give yourself a little grace in your budget for non-school related activities to help keep spirits high.

Optometry school will not be cheap, but hopefully your choice to come to SCO will help lessen your financial burden significantly. The amount of knowledge and skills you are going to obtain will be well worth the costs. Always remember, the money you spend while in optometry school is an investment in your future.

Do I need a degree in science?

Saniya Merchant | Wheeling, IL | Class of 2025 I came into SCO having completed my degree in psychology and a minor in Spanish at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. That being said, you certainly do not need to have a degree in science to apply to optometry school. In our entering class, we have students from all kinds of undergraduate backgrounds, and that helps to diversify our program even more.

There are specific courses that must be taken before

applying to optometry school, and these can be taken in addition to your major. As these can vary by school, it is best to stay on track with the required classes with the help of an academic advisor. While this does increase the workload a bit, I would say having the ability to major in something I was personally interested in far outweighed the cost.

a new doctor. SCO wants to ensure all of its graduates are provided the best possible education and resources to ensure they are successful!

How will The Eye Center enhance my education at SCO?

Students may think they will be at a disadvantage not coming in with a science background, but I would reassure these students that SCO does a great job at laying the foundation during your first-year classes and ensures everyone has the same level of understanding. As you are not limited to any specific degree that is required for a future in optometry, I would advise prospective students to pursue a major they are passionate about, whether that be in science or in another field.

Kalen Thompson | Sanford, FL | SCO Class of 2023 Southern College of Optometry offers the highest degree of optometric education; however, there is no question that crown jewel of the institution is The Eye Center.

Spanning over 50,000 square feet, The Eye Center is one of the largest eye clinics in the world. Each day The Eye Center sees around 350 patients, which translates to around 60,000 patients per year. With this volume of patients, every student will be exposed to all aspects of practicing optometry. While every optometry school offers clinical experience, The Eye Center is especially unique because of its location. Memphis is a historical city with many wonderful sights and sounds, but the city is also home to a significant population in poverty. As such, The Eye Center caters to low-income families with many systemic and ocular diseases. Along with general eye care there are many specialty concentrations within the eye center. From low vision to pediatric — our fastest growing concentration — each student will get the opportunity to rotate through all of these areas.

Student doctors are with patients from the beginning of the exam to the end when the patient walks out of the door. All imaging and testing are done in-house and students come up with a diagnosis and plan together with the staff doctor for each patient they see. SCO prides itself on the clinical experience that student doctors receive and students are well prepared with the tools they need to practice full-scope optometry.

Is optometry a career with a strong future? How will I find employment after graduation?

Kaitlyn Streachek | Eau Claire, WI | SCO Class of 2023 Optometry is certainly a career with a strong future.

Growth in the optometry field has significantly risen in the last few years and shows no sign of slowing down.

There are a significant number of states that are now expanding the scope of the profession and specialties are growing. Optometry provides patients care they are unable to get anywhere else. As a specialized profession outside the typical MD scope, we are often the first doctor a patient may see in a significant period of time. With everything from primary care to vision therapy, pediatrics and geriatrics, there is no shortage of opportunities in an optometry career.

Networking opportunities on the national scope and on our SCO campus provide many of our students and graduates amazing opportunities for employment after graduation. The Hayes Center for Practice Excellence on SCO’s campus brings many practicing optometrists, courses and resources to SCO students to provides them with the opportunity to prepare for interviews, contract signing and practicing soon after graduation. The Hayes Center even has a database full of open positions in many practice modalities across the country looking for

How difficult is optometry school?

Will I have time for my family/ personal life?

Adam Reichert | St. Henry, OH | SCO Class of 2023 Attending optometry school is no walk in the park, but it is extremely doable with the right attitude, effort and drive.

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What makes optometry school difficult is not necessarily the content being taught, but the sheer volume of information being presented each day.

The eye is a fascinating little organ, but it is also very complex. The ability to deeply understand the eye and how it relates to vision, systemic health and other conditions requires a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, neurology and physics – just to name a few subjects. No worries, though! The faculty at SCO do an amazing job at tying every detail together to create a complete understanding of how the eyes function, and how we as future Doctors of Optometry can clinically treat conditions and diseases of the eye.

The information comes at you fast, and I want to stress how important it is to keep up with the material. Time management in graduate school is key! If I have one piece of advice for anyone planning to start optometry school, it is to learn how to manage your tasks efficiently with a schedule. This will save you countless hours of studying in the long run.

If you struggled to manage time in undergrad, that’s okay. I did, too. In fact, many of my techniques in studying and time management quickly changed when I started optometry school. I found that group study and active studying are much more effective technique than just repetitively reading notes.

Be honest with yourself and adapt to new study techniques when and how you can.

Commitment to your craft and knowledge of optometry will take time. A lot of time. So how is it possible to manage family, friends, hobbies, etc. — all on top of optometry school? Like anything in life, you make time for what is most important to you. Remember the discipline and schedule I mentioned before? This is where they come into play. If you can be the master of your time, you can identify your free time and use it enjoy the things you care most about.

There will be moments when you are extremely busy and may have no free time, but there will also be moments when you feel like you have too much free time. Yes, you read that correctly! Some weeks are busier than others, and that makes it much easier to spend time doing what you enjoy outside of school.

For me, that is hanging out with my wife and our golden retriever. We may take a walk, visit the park, share in a picnic, or even go on a hike. All of these great, enjoyable things are possible, even in optometry school. After certain events, classmates will often get together and celebrate that latest test week being completed or that large practical they just finished. Times like this make it all worth it!

Is it difficult to work while going to optometry school?

Michelle Yan | Hillsdale, NJ | SCO Class of 2023 One of the most challenging aspects of graduate level education is financing the various expenses through loans, scholarships and other means. As a result, students may choose to earn some income during the year to help offset costs. Not all students have the time and ability to work during the school year, but for those who can, it is a great opportunity to take a break from studying, interact with SCO staff and get paid.

I have found that allotting a few hours a week for work provides a nice variation to the routine and helps me to study more efficiently. In my experience, if you set reasonable hours and know your personal limits, it is certainly manageable to work while attending optometry school. Federal Work Study is the most common way for students to pursue part-time employment, and you can apply for the program through the FAFSA application.

Throughout the year, SCO offers work-study positions in many departments around the school such as the Library, The Eye Center and Institutional Advancement.

The benefit of work-study is that it is specifically designed with student life in mind: students can schedule hours around their academic schedule and do not have to leave campus to work. Furthermore, tasks are usually not strenuous — on a slow day, you can even study on the job. Work-study students usually work 2-10 hours per week and tend to be first- and second-years because of the way clinic schedules are structured.

However, third- and fourth-year students do pursue these positions as well, on a more limited schedule.

Besides Federal Work Study, there are also paid

opportunities for students to be a teaching assistant, tutor, notetaker coordinator or notetaker.

Association, Ocular Disease and Low Vision. These clubs hold regular dinner meetings that typically host a speaker with experience in that area to build on classroom learning!

These positions are great because you can support your peers while reinforcing and practicing what you are learning in school. Finally, some SCO students choose to work part-time on weekends for a local optometry office or business. In all cases, whether you work or not, it is important to remember that you are here as a student first. Maintaining a healthy balance of study, work and self-care is key when deciding how much to work.

SCO would not be the same without its student leaders involved in Student Government Association, and the Student Ambassadors that serve as representatives of the student body to administration, guests and prospective students. Getting involved in either of these groups is a great way to directly impact the current and future operations of SCO. Joining a service-based organization allows you to give back to local and global communities. Beta Sigma Kappa and Gold Key, both of which are honor societies, sponsor different service projects throughout the year. Some of the most popular student organizations are those that center around community outreach and eye care service trips such as Student Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity (SVOSH), Lion’s Club, Fellowship of Christian Optometrists (FCO) and Remote Area Medical. After fundraising throughout the year, each summer SVOSH and FCO send over 80 students to countries across Central and South America to provide free vision care to underserved populations.

What activities are available to students at SCO? Jackie Malish | Dallas, TX | SCO Class of 2023 Most SCO students are involved in several organizations outside of class and clinic. Joining a club is a great way to expand on the knowledge you learn in lectures, network with professionals in the field, and volunteer for service opportunities to use your newly developed optometric skills. Since everyone shares the same academic schedule, clubs are able to schedule meetings around exams and other campus events so that students don’t have too many conflicts.

SCO doesn’t forget that you need to have fun, too!

Intramurals are very popular with students, with sports like football, basketball and volleyball running yearround. Competition is friendly, but fierce. SCO also has a social fraternity called Omega Delta that plans fun parties around Memphis.

The first week of school, there is an Activity Fair open to all students to meet campus organization representatives and sign up for their meeting email list!

This is a great way for first-year students to get involved and see everything SCO has to offer. You can also find a list of active campus organizations and a little blurb about each on SCO’s website.

Finally, SCO and the city of Memphis offer very diverse populations and communities. I encourage you to connect with community groups on campus such as Spectrum, or morning bible-study groups, and find activities around Memphis that align with your hobbies and interests. I’ve enjoyed attending free art festivals, outdoor activities at the Memphis River Parks, pay-whatyou-can rock climbing at Memphis Rox, and trying as many restaurants around town as my budget allows.

Overall, SCO’s expansive organization options and location in Memphis serve as an outlet to help students find the balance and involvement needed to become well-rounded doctors and leaders

Several clubs exist to promote networking and advocacy for the optometric profession. These include: American Optometric Student Association (AOSA), Optometric Private Practice, National Optometric Student Association (NOSA), Gamma Omicron, and state and regional clubs. These clubs often hold large meetings or sponsor campus events and offer many opportunities for leadership.

Other clubs offer more insight into focused-areas within the optometric profession including the Contact Lens Society, Sports Vision, College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), Student Public Health Vision Care

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sco.edu

@SCOnews

@southerncollegeofoptometry

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SCOedu

Timetables, Facts and Figures ADMISSIONS

FINANCIAL AID

Entering Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Each Fall (Late August)

Financial Aid Application Cycle. . . . . . . . January-April (All 4 Years)†

Application Cycle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 30-March 1

Registration/Financial

Admissions Decisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rolling First Admissions Decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mid-August OAT Administration Deadline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 1 of Entering Year

Aid Disbursements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Each Semester Percent Receiving Financial Aid. . . . . . . .90% Debt Management Counseling . . . . . . . . . Annually †

Financial aid application packets (SCO application and FAFSA) are sent in early January to students accepted between August and December.

For students accepted after January, those financial aid application packets will be sent with their acceptance letters. Enrolled students must

Tentative Class Size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 States Represented (2021-2022). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

re-apply annually for financial aid.

ANNUAL SECURITY REPORT

Applicants to Southern College of Optometry may access the Foreign Countries Represented

Annual Security Report posted on the college website: sco.edu/

(2021-2022). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Canada, China

campus-safety. The report contains safety efforts and statistics

and Ethiopia

for the campus. Applicants may also request a printed copy by contacting the Safety and Security Department at (901) 722-3312

Non-Regional Tuition 2022-2023. . . . . . . . . . . . . $39,938

or by emailing donhenson@sco.edu.

Regional Tuition 2022-2023* Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,738 Kansas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $32,058** Tennessee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $27,041** West Virginia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $27,548** * Regional tuition is available for a limited number of students from each regional state. Acceptance does not guarantee the regional tuition. ** These figures reflect the 2021-2022 year. Updates for the 2022-2023 year can be found on our website (sco.edu).

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1245 Madison Avenue • Memphis, Tennessee 38104-2222 • 901-722-3224 • 800-238-0180 • sco.edu Information for this publication was gathered from the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, the American Optometric Association (AOA), the Journal of the AOA, the Academy of Ophthalmology and the Opticians Association of America.