News from ORMS
8-1-2011
ORMS has moved to Salem, MA. This means that all deadlines with times attached are based on Eastern Time that is in effect at the time of the deadline. Those living in other times zones, please take note.
1-29-2010
ORMS and the NBEO have entered into an agreement for ORMS to supply NBEO scores to programs during the middle of February and again once Part III scores are available in June, for all matched candidates. This service is provided at no cost to you by ORMS. Most programs will request that the individual candidate submit a copy of their score report that they receive from the NBEO reporting Part II scores. You may do so, if you wish.
Using candidates' OE Tracker numbers (which we will supply to the NBEO), the NBEO will provide official board scores to ORMS. We in turn will distribute the scores to all the candidates' selected programs. It will be done automatically; candidates do not need to submit a request.
3-14-2009
ORMS Revealed (ormsrevealed.blogspot.com) is a new feature with comments and commentary to assist residency candidates in using the ORMS website and matching service. It is designed to help candidates understand how the match works and how to use the website to facilitate their matches.
10-6-08
All residency applicants are now entered into scholarship consideration by virtue of the relationship between the NBEO and ORMS. You no longer have to apply to ORMS to be considered for the scholarships. As with reporting to the programs, NBEO scores are only released on a need to know basis.
9-28-08
The ORMS office will be closed the week of September 28, 2008, until October 6, 2008, for relocation from Memphis, TN to our new office in California. We will process all applications after that date.
11-28-07
As a result of the new agreement between the NBEO and ORMS, we will now supply official NBEO scores to the programs listed on your application in early February of each residency year. We will continue to ask that you list your NBEO scores on the application for the residency coordinators' reference.
3-1-07
Scholarship:
The Board of Directors has voted for the institution of four $500 scholarships to be awarded to the candidates with the highest cumulative scores on all three parts of the National Board examinations. The scholarships will be presented in August of the year of residency.
The Board of Directors established this program to benefit candidates who serve in residency positions. Therefore, the recipients must be currently serving residents at the time of the award.
6-24-06
E-mail directory:
This year we are continuing to offer the voluntary residency e-mail directory for optometric education institutions and optometric organizations. This list will facilitate communication between the groups and the residents who submit their addresses. If you are an optometrist who is about you commence your training program, you may enter your information by choosing the "E-mail Directory of Residents" choice on the left-hand panel of this page. Registration begins July 1 and continues through July 31, 2008. In mid August the list will be distributed to the schools and organizations. There is no fee for this service.
Payment options:
This year you may pay using one of the following two options: online, which is the method used by the vast majority of the candidates last year or by mail. If you choose the online system, some of the labels may be slightly confusing. On the order form there is a section that says, "Ship to:," that is the section that you need to populate with your data. You only need to fill in the "Bill to:" information, if that information differs from the "Ship to:" information. This is a quirk of the software that is used by ORMS' merchant account vendor.
Next year's applications:
The first deadline for application and payment is 5 PM ET February 1. The application fee is $30 for applicants who submit 1-5 choices on their applications. For each program selected over five there is a $10 fee. Applications received after the first deadline will be accepted if the program supervisor(s) consents, and the late application fee is an additional $15.00. In any case, applications that are received after 5 PM ET three days prior to Match, will not be processed.