Admissions Criteria

Admissions Criteria

Prior to applying, we encourage you to meet with the Office of Admissions to prepare for the application process. 

The University accepts applications through the GradCAS centralized application service. Please follow all instructions as indicated on the application portal.

The following application items are required for submission:

• Minimum Education Requirement: All applicants to the APOD Program must hold a foreign degree from an accredited institution in a relevant health care field, that is beyond that of a bachelor’s degree and includes specialization in a specific healthcare field. Eligible applicants include: MSc, MD, PhD, etc. Additionally, candidates are recommended to have at least one year of hands-on clinical experience as a certified optometrist, ophthalmologist, or medical provider.
• Review the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) Functional Guidelines here. 
• Submit a completed application through GradCAS: If new to the GradCAS application portal, you will need to create a new account. Once your account is created:
  • Click Add Program at the top of the application home page.
  • Use the search filters to locate the Drexel University, Elkins Park Campus (formerly Salus University), Advanced Placement Doctor of Optometry Degree (APOD) program.
  • Complete the application's four core sections: Personal Information, Academic History, Supporting Information and Program Materials.
  • Utilize the GradCAS Applicant Help Center as a resource.
  • A non-refundable fee of $138.00 is required. Payment may be made through the GradCAS application portal.
  • Application and all required documentation must be submitted by November 15, 2026 for the August (Fall semester) 2027 start date.

• A course-by-course foreign credential evaluation from a NACES recognized agency is required in order to establish candidacy for the program.
  • Recommended agencies include: World Education Services
  • Applicants may submit their official evaluation (not a copy) directly to GradCAS. Please view GradCAS foreign transcripts instructions for more details.
  • An official evaluation may also be sent from the credential service directly to Drexel University. Evaluations may be sent electronically to enroll@drexel.edu or mailed to Drexel University, Application Processing, PO Box 34789, Philadelphia, PA 19101.
• Curriculum vitae or resume of work experience.
• A Personal Goal Statement detailing your professional background, specific area of interest, reasons for choosing the Advanced Placement Optometry degree and your post-OD career plans.
• One letter of recommendation from a representative of a professional organization, professor or employer. This letter must be written in English or accompanied by a notarized English translation of the document.
• Official results from the TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS or Duolingo examination are required of all non-native English speakers. One of these approved exams must be taken within two years prior to the start date of the entering class to which an applicant seeks admission.
  • A recommended score for the TOEFL iBT is 90 or above for exams taken before January 21, 2026 or 4.5 or above for exams taken on or after January 21, 2026.
    
    • If submitting TOEFL iBT scores, please use the GradCAS code of B886.
  • A recommended score for the IELTS is 6.5.
  • A recommended score for Duolingo is 110.
  • While we recommend that applicants submit and hold at least the recommended minimum scores for TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS or Duolingo, exceptions will be considered for foreign applicants who meet one of the following criteria*:
    • successfully completed a degree or diploma held from an accredited, post-secondary institution where the coursework was entirely in English, and provide evidence that it was conducted in English; or
    • successfully completed, and provide evidence of, an approved English language learner’s program
  • *Note: All exemption materials and other appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and subject to the admission committee’s final discretion. Should any exceptions not be accepted toward the English language requirement, the Office of Admissions will inform the applicant of an alternative to fulfill it.
• If accepted, an applicant must complete the University’s compliance program and meet University compliance requirements upon matriculation.
  • Pre-matriculation health standards include a criminal background check, child abuse clearance, any health clearances, fingerprinting and drug screening. Immunization requirements are in compliance with state regulations and CDC recommendations for healthcare providers.
  Students are responsible for all fees associated with these clearance protocols. Students will be responsible for uploading their required documentation via CastleBranch, an online-tracking system, and monitoring their compliance records to ensure that all information remains current and accurate. Clinical sites which require such clearances may deny a student’s participation in a clinical experience based on the results of these clearances. Students must also provide proof of health insurance prior to the start of the program.
• Applicants who complete an application, meet the minimum education requirement, and are approved to do so by the APOD Application Committee will be required to sit for a PCO administered placement exam. This exam will be administered virtually by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry via ExamSoft and is a faculty developed Part I NBEO (National Board of Examiners in Optometry) Mock Exam. 
  • This exam is modeled by PCO faculty after the Part I NBEO outline which can be found on the NBEO website.

Application Review and Interview Process

The APOD program applicant review process is a rigorous and comprehensive process which values fairness above all else. The application process is highly competitive for a limited number of spots. Completed applications will be considered by the APOD Admissions Committee and reviewed for acceptable candidacy to the APOD program.
 
After the initial application review, those applicants who are deemed to be competitive will be required to sit for a PCO administrated placement examination. Please note, not all applicants will be extended an opportunity to take this exam and continue in the process. The exam will be administered virtually by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry via ExamSoft and is a faculty developed Part I NBEO (National Board of Examiners in Optometry) Mock Exam. Good internet connection and suitable system requirements are needed in order to participate in the exam. ​

This exam is modeled by PCO faculty after the Part I NBEO outline which can be found on the NBEO website. The PCO administered placement examination will only be offered on two specific days in December.
 
Individuals successfully meeting the required admissions selection criteria and after taking the PCO administered placement exam, may receive an invitation to interview online, which provides further insight into the applicant’s character, communication skills and motivation, and allows an applicant the opportunity to speak with faculty members. These interviews will be scheduled after the placement examination results are in and no earlier than January 1st.
 
Central to the interview and one key aspect of the application is the applicant’s Personal Goal statement. This allows the interviewer to analyze how past experiences have contributed to applicant’s perspectives on issues in optometry. Career objectives are discussed and program areas of special interests are explored in an effort to analyze how the program can match the applicant’s needs. The essay and interview also allow the interviewer to assess writing, speaking, listening and analytical skills which are very important to the successful completion of the program.
 
Once an applicant completes the interview process, a decision will be rendered by the Admissions Committee. Please note, customized elements of each program for accepted students are designed and implemented by the PCO administrative team.