Summer Optometry Institute

The Summer Optometry Institute (SOI) is hosted on campus at the UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry. A total of 8-12 students will be selected through a competitive application process. As an institution dedicated to creating opportunities for access to both healthcare and education, UIW will give special consideration to first-generation and underrepresented minority applicants.

SOI Application

SOI admissions criteria includes:

• The application is now open for 2024, deadline to apply is Friday, May 31, 2024.
• Must be 18 years or older to apply
• Required minimum of 45 credit hours completed at a college or university
• Must be considered junior or senior in undergraduate program
• Recommended minimum GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

A complete SOI application packet includes:

• Personal statement describing your interest in pursing an optometry career. 
• Unofficial transcript from your primary undergraduate institution

In anticipation of a competitive applicant pool, we encourage you to apply as soon as the application opens. However, please note selections will not be made until after the final deadline.

Applications must be submitted. You may submit your personal statement and transcripts by email optometry@uiwtx.edu or mail.

You may also mail a hardcopy of your completed application with supporting documentation to:

Anticipated Costs

There are no application or registration costs. During the program, most meals and housing will be offered. The only expense each participant will be fully responsible for includes travel arrangements to and from San Antonio and any potential costs associated with medical care if necessary.

Meals

Most meals will be provided during the SOI program Monday - Wednesday. Participants can expect a light breakfast, snacks and lunch each day of the program. Given the program will conclude at approximately noon on Wednesday, dinners will be provided Monday - Tuesday.

Lodging Accommodations

Participants can arrange for their own lodging accommodations in the San Antonio area or utilize access to lodging through UIWRSO. We typically house our SOI participants in a hotel near the UIWRSO campus. UIWRSO will pay for the cost of the hotel room for the duration of the program.

Each participant that chooses to utilize lodging accommodations through UIWRSO will:

• Have access to a double occupancy hotel room
• Prospective student will be asked to roommate with another prospective student
• Check-in and check-out for the hotel is typically the Sunday preceding the start of SOI through Wednesday.

Transportation Accommodations

Given UIWRSO includes an extended Cardinal community network of clinical and university facilities across San Antonio, small group transportation is necessary for the successful delivery of this program. All transportation will take place using UIWRSO 12-passenger vans. Each participant will be assigned a van and specific seat for the duration of the program to support health and safety measures. All participants must wear masks at all times while in transport. Transportation will include the following:

• Transportation to UIWRSO and back to the hotel each day of SOI, Monday - Wednesday.
• Transportation to UIWRSO clinical facilities including the Bowden Eye Care and Health Center and the UIW Broadway Campus for the Sports Vision and Enhancement Service.
• Transportation to off-site events including some dinners.

More information on housing and transportation accommodations will be shared once final participants have been selected.

SOI General Schedule

SOI participants are advised to arrive in San Antonio on Sunday, July 7. The formal SOI program will begin on Monday, July 8 - Wednesday, July 10. The following is an anticipated schedule and is subject to change.

Sunday: SOI Participants arrive in San Antonio.

SOI Day 1:

• Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m.
• Day 1 programming includes Optometry career exploration, UIWRSO facility tour, academic success strategies, admissions overview, personal essay writing workshop, clinical overviews and clinical lab activities.

SOI Day 2:

• Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m.
• Day 2 programming includes preparing for the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), interview tips for success, Bowden facilities, Sports Vision tour and clinical services demos.

SOI Day 3:

• Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m.
• Day 3 programming includes mock interviews, individual advising and SOI graduation with faculty and staff.
• SOI program concludes at noon.

Feedback From Previous Attendees

• This program was outstanding and surpassed all my expectations. It greatly increased all my interest in UIWRSO. I'm very grateful.
• The program exceeded my expectations and was extremely helpful.
• Great experience, extremely beneficial to students considering optometry as a profession. The mock interviews were a great practice and allowed for feedback on a personal level.
• This program was very fun and informative, I really enjoyed it. Thank you so much for putting it all together.
• Everything was amazing! I enjoyed auditing the class and shadowing the students in clinic.
• The program exceeded my expectations. I was blown away by the knowledge, information and exposure that was put into SOI for us. I feel like I belong here! This place feels like home.