Your ODAS Online Interview
Congratulations on advancing to the next step in the admissions process! By now, you should have received an electronic confirmation with the date and time of your Advanced Standing Doctor of Optometry (AS-OD) online interview. If you have any questions or need to make changes to your scheduled appointment, please contact your Admissions Counselor, who will be happy to assist you.
We encourage you to carefully review the information below to learn more about what to expect on interview day, how to prepare, and additional resources available to support you throughout the process. We look forward to meeting you and learning more about your experiences, interests, and goals.
Office of Admissions
Western University of Health Sciences
About Your Interview
The interview is an important part of the Advanced Standing admissions process and gives the College of Optometry an opportunity to learn more about your education, clinical experience, professional goals, and preparation for optometric education and practice in the United States.
Advanced Standing applicants are interviewed by the full Admissions Committee. The interview allows you to demonstrate experiences and qualities that may not be fully reflected in your written application. (Sample Schedule)
During your interview, discussion may include:
- Your educational background
- Previous optometric, medical, or clinical experience
- Your professional goals
- English communication skills
- Your understanding of optometry practice in the United States
- Your NBEO plans or strategy
- Preliminary curriculum placement considerations
Important: Your interview is part of the admissions process. It does not guarantee admission, a specific professional-year placement, transfer credit, course waivers, or a specific graduation timeline.
Online Check-In
When you scheduled your interview, you should have uploaded a copy of your photo ID. If not, please be sure to upload a copy via your Application Status Page prior to checking in as this will be required in order to proceed with your interview.
Identity Verification Policy
Proper identification of individuals allows WesternU to provide a safe and secure campus environment. In addition, the United States Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Public Law 110-315, requires that University confirm that a person enrolling in the University is the person who is completing the enrollment form, and that the student taking an examination is the student who participates in, completes, and receives credit for the course.
It is the policy of Western University of Health Sciences that applicants to the University are required to provide a government issued ID when checking in for an Admissions interview. Applicants who are unable to provide an acceptable form of identification may reschedule their interview if space is available. For more information on acceptable forms of identification please view the University’s Identity Verification Policy.
Preparing For Your Interview
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare for your time with us:
- Make sure your best business professional attire is ready to wear
- Review the Course Catalog
- Wear business professional attire
- Find a quiet, private location with minimal distractions
- Confirm that your computer or laptop, camera, microphone, and internet connection are working properly
- Review your application, CV, educational history, and clinical experience
- Be prepared to discuss your professional goals and interest in the Advanced Standing pathway
- Have a few questions prepared for the Admissions Committee
- Keep a pen and notepad nearby
- Log in early so you are ready when your interview begins
- Review the Zoom Interview Instructions before your interview
- Want to learn more about our Pomona campus? Check out our virtual tour!
Understanding the Advanced Standing Pathway
The Advanced Standing Doctor of Optometry pathway is designed for eligible internationally trained optometrists, ophthalmologists, physicians, and students from non-U.S./Canadian optometry programs.
Because applicants enter the program with different educational and clinical backgrounds, each student’s curriculum is individualized. Previous education, clinical experience, and demonstrated competency may be considered when determining advanced standing credit and placement.
How long is the program?
Program length depends on your individualized curriculum placement.
Students may enter at different points in the curriculum and may require between one and four years to complete the Doctor of Optometry degree.
Curriculum Placement
Placement is a separate process
Applicants who receive an admission offer will receive a preliminary placement.
Final curriculum placement is determined after completion of the College’s placement process, which may include:
- Review of prior coursework
- Clinical experience
- Professional practice experience
- NBEO examination performance, when applicable
- Placement interview
- On-campus clinical proficiency evaluation
- Course test-outs, when applicable
Once the placement process is complete, the College of Optometry will issue a formal Placement Letter identifying the advanced standing credit awarded, year of entry, and required didactic and clinical coursework.
Your interview does not establish your final curriculum placement.
NBEO and Your Interview
Do I need to complete the NBEO before interviewing?
No.
NBEO examinations are optional for admission and may be used to assist the College with curriculum placement decisions. Applicants who have not completed NBEO examinations may still be admitted and evaluated for placement using other academic and clinical competencies.
Can WesternU sponsor me for the NBEO?
Potentially, but sponsorship occurs after admission, not during the application or interview stage.
After an applicant:
- Receives an admission offer,
- Accepts the offer and preliminary placement, and
- Submits the required enrollment deposit,
WesternU may sponsor one attempt for each NBEO examination part to assist with determining final curriculum placement.
Does passing the NBEO guarantee advanced placement?
No.
NBEO performance may be considered as one component of the individualized placement process.
After Your Interview
Following your interview, the Admissions Committee will continue its review of your application.
An admission decision and an individualized curriculum placement are not the same determination.
If admission is offered, you will receive information regarding your preliminary placement and next steps. Final placement is determined through the College’s placement process and may require additional evaluations before matriculation.
Useful Resources
Financial Aid
Our online tools make it easy to manage financial aid, access forms, and review important information through BanWeb/Self-Service and the WesternU student portal.
Prospective students are encouraged to visit our Financial Aid FAQ’S for answers to common questions about financial aid requirements and the application process.
Our Financial Aid team is also available to assist you—no appointment necessary.