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All candidates must follow the guidelines established by the ORMatch. This matching service is utilized for most of SUNY affiliated programs. Visit ORMatch for information and application instructions.
The exception is for candidates interested in the Residency in Vision Rehabilitation (Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation) at Womack Army Medical Center, which does not participate in ORMatch.
Please check with individual residency program supervisors for any additional requirements to ORMatch that are specific to that program.
Residents must obtain an OD degree from an Accreditation Council on Optometric Education accredited school or college of optometry prior to the start of the residency program.
Prospective residents currently on an F-1 visa must timely apply for an OPT extension. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) permits applicants to apply up to 90 days before completion of their degree program. However, it is critical that you apply for an OPT visa as close to that 90 day opening date as possible, as case processing times have increased dramatically, and may take up to 5 months to complete. Prospective residents should contact the Designated School Official (DSO) at their current institution to begin the process.
Prospective residents will be required to provide proof of filing their OPT visa applications to the residency supervisor by February 20, 2021. Failure to file by this date may be cause for denial of your residency application. Waivers will be granted for students from schools with late graduations which do not permit filing by February 20, 2021. Waivers for any other reason will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Prospective residency candidates please review the additional information sheet for more details.
All persons appointed to the staff of the SUNY College of Optometry are required to provide, on the first day of work, written documentation that they have authorization to work in the United States.
