Residency Admissions Process

The UIWRSO Residency Programs offer an invaluable opportunity to gain clinical confidence in your optometric area of interest while developing leadership skills and scholarly achievements that will support your successful transition into a post-residency Optometry career. The first step to realizing this future is navigating the Residency application and matching process.

How To Apply

Most Residency programs at UIWRSO will require you to apply through the Optometry Residency Match (ORMatch) process. However, it is important to note that the residency application process and timeline will vary based on program. The information below will offer general information related to navigating the standard ORMatch steps. To learn more about deadline dates and specific application requirements, please visit the individual UIWRSO Residency Program webpage and reach out directly to the Program Coordinators for each program you wish to apply to.

Program Coordinators can assist with the following:

Provide candidates with additional information about specific programs
Inform candidates of supplemental application materials that should be sent directly to the Coordinator
Assist in making arrangements for interviews

It's as Easy as 1, 2, 3...

Step 1: Register

The first step is to visit the ORMatch website and register.

It's important that you've done your homework before taking this step for a few reasons. You want to be sure you have reviewed the specific application requirements and deadline dates for each individual residency program you are interested in, as in some cases, the ORMatch process is not a part of the admissions process. Additionally, it is important to research the residency programs that interest you so that you can narrow down your potential list of programs to eventually submit an application to.

Once you are ready to proceed you will need:

Your OE Tracker Number issued to you by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry
Registration Fee of $350, but this is subject to change

Step 2: Apply

All core application materials are submitted online using the ORMatch Application Service.

You must submit your application before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date set by each residency program.

Program Materials

You will typically need the following program materials:

NBEO Scores
Letter of Intent for each program and CV
Copy of your OD transcript
3 letters of reference
Possible supplemental materials as required by each residency program

Once you submit your application, residency programs will be able to see your materials immediately.

Interviews

Interviews are a standard part of the residency admissions process. The most competitive resident applicants will be invited to UIWRSO for an interview early in the Spring term prior to the rank order list deadline.

Step 3: Rank and Results

After all interviews are completed, both you and the residency program(s) will submit a rank order list providing program and applicant preference (i.e., first choice, second choice, etc.).

Be sure to submit your rank order list in advance of the rank order list submission deadline. This deadline is subject to change so you should visit ORMarch for current deadline dates applicable to your residency admissions process cycle.

The rank order lists are compared through a matching algorithm. The results of the match are essentially the most preferred program on your list that also ranked you on their list.

For those that are not matched at the conclusion of this process, there can still be opportunity. There is a Post-Match Process where unmatched applicants and programs with positions available are free to contact and coordinate a potential placement.