Overview: Transfer Students
Transfer students are students wishing to apply for admission to the University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry who have previously enrolled or are currently enrolled in a Doctor of Optometry degree program at a school or college of optometry. In accordance with the recommendations of the Association of the Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), the Academic Senate Faculty of the University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry has adopted a policy and procedures for the admission of transfer students.
Background
| In 1992, the Board of Directors of the Association of the Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) approved a "Recommended Policy and Practices for the Admission of Transfer Students." As part of that action, ASCO recommended that each school or college of optometry that accepts transfer students should formulate an institutional policy in regard to such students. The Academic Senate Faculty (Faculty) of the University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry (School) has adopted the following policy and procedures for the admission of transfer students. |
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Admission of students to the School's academic programs is the responsibility of the Academic Senate Faculty. The Faculty
appreciate and endorse the value of continuity in an optometric professional program. Recognizing the differences in educational
philosophy and practice among the schools and colleges of optometry, the Faculty acknowledge that completion of a single uninterrupted
curriculum is usually in the best interests of the student and the profession. Accordingly, it is the policy of the Faculty not to encourage
optometry students from other institutions to transfer to the School. The Faculty understand, however, that exceptional circumstances
may at times compel a student to request to transfer, even though such action may result in disruption or protraction of the student's
professional program. Students who find themselves in such circumstances may apply to the Faculty Admissions Committee for admission
to the School in advance standing as a transfer student.
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Definition: For purposes of this policy, transfer students are those students who have previously enrolled or are currently enrolled in a Doctor of
Optometry degree program at a school or college of optometry and are applying for admission to the School.
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Public Dissemination: This Policy and Procedures will be described in the various publications of the School.
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Identification of Transfer Applicants: Transfer students seeking admission to the School are required to identify themselves as such at the outset of the application process.
The Admissions and Student Affairs Office also will identify transfer students by the materials they present as part of the admissions process, which
requires applicants to list and request transcripts from every college and university attended, including schools or colleges of optometry.
As a courtesy, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs will contact the chief academic officer or designee at the transfer student’s
home institution and indicate the School’s awareness of the student’s interest in transferring.
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Counseling of Transfer Students: The Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the staff of the Student Affairs Office will directly counsel prospective transfer students on the
ramifications of a transfer on their course of study in optometry.
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Good Academic Standing: Students considered for transfer must be in good academic standing at the time of their application for transfer and must remain so until
the time of their enrollment, as evidenced by official transcripts from their home institutions. Transcripts must be updated to show
performance in all courses before matriculation and to verify a student’s good academic standing. Transfer students must
provide written confirmation of their academic standing in the form of a letter from the chief academic officer or designee of their
home institutions. This letter should also include a copy of the home school or college’s policy on probation and dismissal.
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Statement of Reason for Transfer:
Transfer students shall be required to provide a personal statement, along with any supporting documentation, which addresses their
reason(s) and motivation for transfer.
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Application for Transfer:
Transfer students must apply using the School's standard application forms and procedures, and must submit transcripts for all
college or university work, three letters of recommendation (using the School’s form), and official Optometry Admission
Test (OAT) scores.
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Review of Transfer Application:
The Faculty Admissions Committee will carefully review an application for transfer. In consultation with the Associate Dean for Academic
Affairs, it will determine the advisability of accepting the transfer student and the reason for so doing. In cases where acceptance is
recommended, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will determine the appropriate level of placement in the optometry program.
More Admissions Information
If you have additional questions after reading all the material under the Admissions Topics, please contact admissions@optometry.berkeley.edu.
Admissions and Student Affairs Office (ASAO)
397 Minor Hall, School of Optometry, Berkeley, CA 94720-2020
Tel: 510-642-9537; Fax: 510-643-7111
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