Dual Acceptance Program

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Dual Acceptance Programs with Selected Affiliated Universities

The Dual Acceptance Program (DAP) is an early acceptance program for selected students who successfully complete the specified pre-optometry coursework. The Dual Acceptance Programs are currently in effect with Benedictine University, DePaul University, Elmhurst University,Lake Forest College, Lewis University, and Arizona Christian University.

Online Application

Benefits of the DAP: 

  • Provides for an excellent foundation in pre-optometry education.
  • Sets out a clear road map for which courses to take and when.
  • Exempts the student from the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) and associated fees.
  • Exempts the student from the OptomCAS application process and associated fees.
  • Guarantees entry to MWU CCO well in advance with successful completion of all program requirements. 

To receive consideration for the Dual Acceptance Program with Benedictine University, DePaul University, Elmhurst University, Lake Forest College, or Lewis University, one must meet the following eligibility requirements: 

Track 1:

This track is available to high school students who apply by March 1 of  senior year of high school. To receive consideration for the Dual Acceptance Program, Track 1, students must meet the following requirements: 

  • Earn admission to the undergraduate institution as a first-year student.
  • Must obtain a minimum score of 26 (ACT) or 1250 (SAT) on a College Entrance Exam.
  • Obtain a minimum high school GPA of 3.20/4.00.
  • Demonstrate a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
  • Demonstrate commitment to the optometry profession as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer, or other life experiences.
  • Possess the oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.

Track 2:

This track is available to students who have recently enrolled at their undergraduate institution. To receive consideration for the Dual Acceptance Program, Track 2, students must meet the following requirements:.

  • Must be completing spring term coursework, and must have not been enrolled in any other post-secondary institution.
  • Minimum undergraduate overall and science GPA of 3.40/4.00.
  • Must have obtained a minimum score of 26 (ACT) or 1250 (SAT) on a College Entrance Exam.
  • Demonstrate a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities. 
  • Demonstrate commitment to the optometry profession as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer, or other life experiences. 
  • Possess the oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues

After the Midwestern University Office of Admissions receives all completed application materials, applicant files are reviewed to determine whether applicants merit invitations for an interview. Qualified applicants must complete an on-campus or video teleconference (for out of state students) interview at CCO. 

Following the interview, their completed application is forwarded to the CCO Admissions Committee for review. The committee may recommend to accept or to deny applicants for admission. These recommendations are then forwarded to the Dean for final approval. The Dean-via the Office of Admissions-notifies applicants within two to four weeks of the interview. Accepted applicants will be ensured a seat at CCO upon successful completion of the program requirements: 

  1. All prerequisite pre-optometry courses must be completed at the enrolled institution (See below). AP credits that are listed on the transcript are acceptable for meeting the prerequisites.
  2. Track 1 students will have up to four years to complete all pre-optometry coursework at the enrolled institution, and earn a baccalaureate degree. Track 2 students will have up to three years to complete all pre-optometry coursework at the enrolled institution, and earn a baccalaureate degree.
    • Authorization to extend an undergraduate degree beyond 4 years is at the discretion of the Dean, CCO. Requests must be submitted to the CCO office of the Dean; decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
  3. A minimum overall GPA of 3.40 on a 4.00 scale must be attained.
  4. A minimum science GPA of 3.40 on a 4.00 scale must be attained.
  5. Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all required courses.
  6. Students are not permitted to repeat courses for a higher grade for which credit has already been received.
  7. Students are not permitted to withdraw from more than 2 courses during the 4-year undergraduate program.
    • Authorization to withdraw from more than 2 courses is at the discretion of the Dean, CCO. Requests must be submitted to the CCO office of the Dean; decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
  8. Accepted students are required to sign a letter of understanding with CCO upon acceptance. Accepted students will submit a deposit fee to CCO at least 1 year prior to matriculation at CCO. All fees are applied toward the student’s first quarter tuition at CCO.

Students who are not accepted to or fail to complete the Dual Acceptance Program may apply to CCO using the standard procedures.

To receive consideration for the Dual Acceptance Program with Arizona Christian University, high school senior students must meet the following eligibility requirements: 

  1. Earn admission to Arizona Christian University.
  2. Apply online to the CCO Dual Acceptance Program as a high school senior.
  3. Obtain a minimum score of 28 on the ACT or 1250 on the SAT.
  4. Demonstrate a people or service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
  5. Demonstrate motivation for and commitment to the optometry profession as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer, or other life experiences.
  6. Possess the oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.

After the Midwestern University Office of Admissions receives all completed application materials, applicant files are reviewed to determine whether applicants merit invitations for an interview. Qualified applicants must complete an on-campus or video teleconference (for out of state students) interview at CCO.

Following the interview, the completed application is forwarded to the CCO Admissions Committee for review. The committee may recommend to accept or to deny applicants for admission. These recommendations are then forwarded to the Dean for final approval. The Dean-via the Office of Admissions-notifies applicants of their status within two to four weeks of their visits. Accepted applicants will be ensured a seat at CCO upon successful completion of the program requirements: 

  1. All prerequisite pre-optometry courses must be completed at Arizona Christian University prior to matriculation to CCO. Official AP and dual-enrollment credits completed during high school, and that are listed on the affiliated university's transcript as equivalent courses, are acceptable for meeting the prerequisites.
  2. Complete the baccalaureate degree at Arizona Christian University within 4 years
    • Authorization to extend an undergraduate degree beyond 4 years is at the discretion of the Dean, CCO. Requests must be submitted to the CCO office of the Dean; decisions will be made on a case by case basis. 
  3. A minimum overall GPA of 3.40 on a 4.00 scale must be attained. 
  4. A minimum science GPA of 3.40 on a 4.00 scale must be attained.
  5. Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all required courses. A grade of “C-" or lower is not acceptable.
  6. Students are not permitted to withdraw from more than 2 courses during the 4-year undergraduate program.
    • Authorization to withdraw from more than 2 courses is at the discretion of the Dean, CCO. Requests must be submitted to the CCO office of the Dean; decisions will be made on a case by case basis.
  7. Students are not permitted to repeat courses for a higher grade for which credit has already been received.
  8. Accepted students are required to sign a letter of understanding upon acceptance. Accepted students will submit a deposit fee within 1 year prior to matriculation. All fees are applied toward the student’s first quarter tuition.

Students who are not accepted to or fail to complete the Dual Acceptance Program may apply to CCO using the standard procedures.  

Students enrolled at Benedictine University must successfully complete the following courses listed below with a grade of “C” or higher:  

Requirement Undergraduate Course Minimum Semester Hours
Biology with lab BIOL 1195, 1197, 1198, 1199 8 hrs. 
General/Inorganic Chemistry with labs CHEM 1113, 1114,  1123, 1124  8 hrs. 
Organic Chemistry with lab CHEM 2242, 2243 4 hrs. 
Physics  PHYS 1113, 1114, 1118, 1119 8 hrs. 
Calculus MATH 2210 4 hrs. 
Microbiology BIOL 3208  4 hrs. 
Statistics BIOL 2229 or MATH 1150 or PSYC 2250   3 hrs.
Psychology PSYC 1100  3 hrs. 
English Composition  WRIT 1101, 1102 6 hrs.
Total Hours    48 hrs. 

Students enrolled at DePaul University must successfully complete the following courses listed below with a grade of “C” or higher:  

Requirement Undergraduate Course Minimum Quarter Hours
Biology with lab  BIO 191,192,193  12 hrs. 
General/Inorganic Chemistry with labs CHE 130,131,132,133,134, and 135 12 hrs. 
Organic Chemistry with lab CHE 230,231,232,233,234, and 235 6 hrs. 
Physics  PHY 150, 151, 152 9 hrs. 
Calculus  MATH 147 or MATH 150 4 hrs. 
Microbiology BIO 210 4 hrs. 
Statistics  Multiple options available 4 hrs. 
Psychology Multiple options available 4 hrs. 
English Composition  WRD 103, 104  9 hrs. 
Total Hours    64 hrs. 

 Students enrolled at Elmhurst University must successfully complete the following courses listed below with a grade of “C” or higher:  

Requirement Undergraduate Course Minimum Semester Hours 
Biology with lab BIO 200, 201  8 hrs. 
Genera/Inorganic Chemistry with labs CHM 211, 212 8 hrs. 
Organic Chemistry with lab CHM 311 4 hrs. 
Physics  PHY 121 or 111, 122 or 112 6 hrs. 
Calculus MTH 151 3 hrs. 
Microbiology  BIO 221 or 321 3 hrs. 
Statistics  MTH 345 or 346, or PSY 355 3 hrs. 
Psychology  Any Psychology course (other than PSY 355) 3 hrs. 
English Composition ENG 105, 106  6 hrs. 
Total Hours    44 hrs. 

Students enrolled at Lake Forest College must successfully complete the following courses listed below with a grade of “C” or higher:  

Requirement Undergraduate Course Minimum Semester Hours
Biology with lab BIOL 120 and BIOL 221 8 hrs. 
General/Inorganic Chemistry with labs CHEM 115 and  CHEM 116 8 hrs. 
Organic Chemistry with lab CHEM 220 and CHEM 221 4 hrs. 
Physics  PHYS 110 and  PHYS 111 6 hrs. 
Calculus  MATH 110 Future 2xx  3 hrs. 
Microbiology  Microbiology or BIOL 323 3 hrs. 
Statistics  MATH 150 or PSYC 221 or other Statistics course 3 hrs. 
Psychology  PSYC 110  3 hrs. 
English Composition  Two English or HIPP SHIP writing 
(FFC:W) courses 		 6 hrs. 
Total Hours    44 hrs. 

Students enrolled at Lewis University must successfully complete the following courses listed below with a grade of “C” or higher:  

Requirement Undergraduate Course Minimum Semester Hours 
Biology with lab BIOL 11000/11100; BIOL 11500/11600  8 hrs.
General/Inorganic Chemistry with labs CHEM 11000/11100; CHEM 11500/11600  8 hrs. 
Organic Chemistry with lab CHEM 22000/22100 4 hrs.
Physics  PHYS 20000/20100; PHYS 20500/20600   6 hrs.
Calculus  MATH 20000 or MATH 21100  3 hrs. 
Microbiology BIOL 22400/22600 3 hrs. 
Statistics BIOL 32000 3 hrs. 
Psychology PSYC 10000 3 hrs. 
English Composition  ENGL 11100 and ENGL 11200  6 hrs. 
Total Hours    44 hrs.