The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) has announced that U.S. optometry institutions received the highest number of applicants in history, 2,896 applicants, for the 2024-2025 Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS) cycle—a 1% increase from the previous cycle, ASCO shares. There were also 12,535 total applications submitted, which was a 1.5% decrease from the previous cycle. On average, each applicant applied to 4.3 schools.

Applications from Black/African American candidates increased 3.6% from the last cycle for a total of 145 applicants, though the 2020-2021 cycle retains the record for the most applicants at 160. Applications from Hispanic/Latino applicants set a new record with 376 applicants. A comprehensive report on the 2024-2025 applicant pool will be released at the end of the year.

OptomCAS includes all 25 ASCO member institutions. Additional information can be found on the OptomCAS website.