Application Procedure (2023-2024)

Resident Characteristics

The resident should show evidence of superior academic and clinical achievement, demonstrated by academic transcript, National Board scores, letters of recommendation, and personal interview. Aptitude for teaching and personal characteristics, such as ethical standards and maturity, are also taken into consideration.

Applicants must have attained the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from a school or college accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), have passed all parts of National Boards and be licensed or license-eligible prior to beginning the program on July 1.

APPLICATION DEADLINE - January 31, 2024.

Application Procedure

Application to the residency programs is in conjunction with the Optometry Residency Match (ORMatch) which is a program of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) and it is supervised by the ORMatch Committee. ORMatch is administered by National Matching Services Inc.

Please see their website for details.

The following are required for application to each program. Please include information on how to contact you between the time of application and the end of February. Interviews typically occur during January and February; special arrangements can be made to hold interviews earlier. Please contact the Director of On-Campus Residency Programs for more information.

The candidate must:

The candidate must:
  • Register with ORMatch.
  • Submit the following materials through ORMatch:
    • letter of interest explaining why the Candidate wishes to pursue the residency;
    • current resume/curriculum vitae;
    • current optometric transcript - unofficial transcript acceptable;
    • current NBEO transcript - complete transcript when available;
    • three letters of recommendation from persons who can attest to the Candidate's clinical abilities
  • Interview with members of the appropriate committee.
  • Be a graduate of or be currently enrolled in an optometry school or college accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.

Note: Candidates who are non-U.S. citizens and enrolled in a U.S. Optometry school will require an Optional Practice Training (OPT) VISA under their F1 Student VISA, which is 12 months (52-weeks) in duration. At this time, the institution is not actively pursuing residency candidates who currently have or are only eligible for the H1B VISA. We acknowledge the limitations that this may cause for otherwise well qualified applicants, and we are dedicated to evaluating all viable options for the future. Prospective Residents on a F1 visa must apply for an OPT visa 90 days prior to completion of studies. Candidates should contact the Designated School Official (DSO) at their current institution to begin the process. All persons appointed to the staff of Salus University/Pennsylvania 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.

All candidates must be licensed or license-eligible in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to beginning the program on July 1.

Additional Information can be obtained by writing or calling:

Chad Killen, OD, FAAO
Director, On-Campus Residency Programs
The Eye Institute
1200 W Godfrey Avenue
Philadelphia, PA  19141
215.276.6180
ckillen@salus.edu

Salus University, by choice, declares and reaffirms its policy of complying with federal and state legislation and does not in any way discriminate in educational programs, employment, or in services to the public on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, or physical or mental handicap.

All statements regarding the Optometry Residency Programs on this website are present policies only and are subject to change at any time without prior notice. They are not to be regarded as offers of contract.