IAUPR vs MCPHS?

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I got accepted into both.. Which one is better to attend and why??

MCPHS! Unless you want to move to PR. The only risky party is the accreditation, you'll be the first class at MCPHS. What were your stats?


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Hello Meme90. Congratulations!

Analyze what matters to you the most. Some of the issues I found around here includes: Tuition, accreditation, weather, facilities, alumni base, NBEO test score. Google 'em or SDN search box.

This was orgimially posted in another thread, but I'm not sure how to quote it across threads..it's pretty brutal and honest, and take it with a grain of salt. As for my opinion on MCPHS, I'm among the students that think it's a school that is COMPLETELY unnecessary, but i digress. The fact that It is right next door to NECO will spur some backlash from NECO students/faculty who you may run into, and the clinic which has yet to see patients I'm sure (as this will be the inaugural class) will probably see pretty crappy numbers for several years if not longer. Of course you face the accreditation issue. I'm not sure what class sizes for either school are, but its something to consider, as are lifestyle of New England vs. the Carribbean.



I am a student here at IAUPR, and I am very displeased with a wide variety of things. It's tough to know where to start. I wish I had known the following prior to ever even considering this place.

First, the location of the school is terrible. There are fences, gates, iron bars, dog packs, crowing roosters, and a basic lack of any real comforts. The dorms are 3 years old and it's a moldy disaster. You will be "taught" in "English" but this is really an exaggeration. It is difficult to understand many professors, and their notes for the class will be provided on Power Point slides, thousands of them, yeah really. The notes, when you finally get them, which could be a couple days prior to an exam, are riddled with errors, misspellings, grammatical mistakes, and just plain lack of organization and explanation. Your exams will be difficult and will seem as though they are from somewhere else much of the time.

Expect your class averages to be anywhere from 50-70%. It will rarely eclipse this mark. There are major misspellings and grammatical errors on exams, including significant misspellings of drugs on pharmacology exams. Don't expect to get a break on these questions, you won't. People call it a self-study school, and it def is! The problem is that you must pass THEIR exams. The school routinely allows professors to conduct courses where an extraordinary number of people often fail. They then conduct summer courses where the tuition is 3 times as much, which you MUST take to continue, and curiously everyone then passes, hmmm.

There are some "nice" people and professors, but I would not say that any of them care in the least, and it is reflected in their very lazy, often aloof, pass the buck approach to teaching. It really as bad as it sounds. I would NEVER do it again, not a chance in the world. Our National Boards pass rate is and has been pretty dismal. It may be trending up slightly, but it's still so low that what's the difference. They have made a "big" curriculum change, that took 8 years to plan and implement. I don't even know how that is possible, but the new change is supposed to prepare the new students earlier for Boards. This, like most everything at IAUPR has completely missed the mark. The problem is the course materials, they are awful, and that hasn't changed at all. Most schools will provide the semesters/years material at the beginning of a year or term, and they will be very well done, very comprehensive and there is some level accountability for mistakes/omissions. Not here. You may get things at any time, mostly right before class, and they often will continue to be changed and modified. Hopefully you have not used these for your notes, because a new version will appear in a variety of places on-line, that you must patrol constantly, and there is seldom any notice of these changes. Frankly, asking for that courtesy offends them.

You will have to learn Spanish, and be proficient to give an exam (much of it anyway), by the end of first year. You will be getting bombarded in some of your courses and have to take time away from this to learn Spanish. The assignments in Spanish often waste considerable time and for little pay-off. If you are not completely committed to learning Spanish, or already know it, think about this carefully. It is not a fun addition.

Also, expect the unexpected, the last minute, the complete lack of planning, and what is called "island time". It's basically just code for lazy, last minute anything, and it's REEEAAL annoying. For instance try to book a flight home for break, ooops they don't have summer schedule done in May of the SAME YEAR! Yeah, really. That's one example, I could fill a page with more from just this semester.

The island does have some nice spots, but it is primarily crowded, dirty, VERY difficult to get around, loud, and fairly expensive. For instance, we are 8-10 miles or so from the beach (San Juan), and during most times of the day it is a 30-40 minute drive. During rush hours, it could easily take 2 hours. Yes, the traffic and driving is as bad as I have ever seen, LA and NYC included. It's not the worst thing about being here, but it's no picnic either. BTW, if you don't have a car and you live on campus, your life can suck real bad, real quick. There is a Sam's Club and a Walgreens within walking distance, but aside from that, little else, or you must drive. Don't walk alone at night, no really, don't. Heck don't walk with a large unarmed group. I have heard gunshots from near the dorms countless times.

In any case, I'm not saying don't come here. I am saying know what you are getting into. This place is not for the faint of heart, and you must be prepared to teach yourself, and in many cases find relevant material and detailed diagrams yourself. We are often given far out of date unlabeled diagrams, and other very poorly assembled materials, some appearing as though they are cell phone pictures. Yes, you can pass Boards, and you can get your OD degree here, but it WILL be a significant challenge, and you will absolutely pay the price for it. One last thing, if you think you can argue a point or two here or there with prof's, or champion some great change and big movement, forget that. You will kill enormous amounts of time with that. The Prof's here are very clique-y and they are WAAAAY beyond reproach. In spite of the fact that they make ALOT of mistakes, and there is a sizable language barrier, you will almost never get the benefit of the doubt, let alone a break.

Well, you have been warned. I may receive some knee jerk feedback that tries to paint the school in a better light, but come here and see. Just remember you were told.

Best of luck Future O.D.'s, we def need it here

Originally Posted by Blondiechick919

This was orgimially posted in another thread, but I'm not sure how to quote it across threads

Here is a link to the source http://forums.studentdoctor.net/show...php?p=12592107

Wow, i disagree with almost everything blondiechick919 stated. IAUPR aids you to find a residence, check. You are given the materials and notes to learn and do good in classes, check. Taught a mandatory spanish course, check. Everything else is up to you to succeed. You are in optometry school! It is not supposed to be easy, and you ARE supposed to learn alot on your own, which I am sure is the same in all optometry schools. I am a 3rd yr student at IAUPR, so i'm not part of the new curriculum, but I do get alot of feedback from students who are in it. And i am told you are given the material to get good grades. The key to doing good in classes is TIME MANAGEMENT! I live at the dorms and there is no mold in my apartment, and my friends, it all depends on how you take care of your place. I love living in PR, yes theres traffic and you do need a car to get around. I appreciate studying optometry in this school, its been a great 2 years for me. Just wanted to give another perspective

Hello EyeStudent,

Those statement are not from Blondiechick919. She just copied those from a new member PROPTOM (joined May 2012) from this thread http://forums.studentdoctor.net/show...php?p=12592107

Thanks for coming by and giving your perspective.

^ link doesn't work

Originally Posted by Meme90

I got accepted into both.. Which one is better to attend and why??

Neither? How can anyone risk being a first class at MCPHS?? Do you not realize if accreditation gets held up...your loans' interest will be capitalizing after you graduate and you will not be able to work as an Optometrist for possibly AN ENTIRE YEAR OR 2? 0_0

Well I think since MCPHS has other health profession schools, it shouldn't have a problem getting accredited, I am a little worried about UIW bc all they have is a pharmacy school. It's easier to get accredited if the school has a "health sciences center". That is what the optometrist I am shadowing told me!

Originally Posted by luckyfeet

Well I think since MCPHS has other health profession schools, it shouldn't have a problem getting accredited, I am a little worried about UIW bc all they have is a pharmacy school. It's easier to get accredited if the school has a "health sciences center". That is what the optometrist I am shadowing told me!

Well in this scenario, the OP is going to be the first class...while if you're the fourth class at UIW this cycle, you kind of have a three year buffer...

did the OP not get into UIW or Western?

Originally Posted by Optomchick

Neither? How can anyone risk being a first class at MCPHS?? Do you not realize if accreditation gets held up...your loans' interest will be capitalizing after you graduate and you will not be able to work as an Optometrist for possibly AN ENTIRE YEAR OR 2? 0_0

You do realize that you are going to an unaccredited school as well? Yes, the chances of it not getting accredited are probably small, but don't act all holier than thou just yet. And if you interviewed at a bunch of accredited schools and still made the choice to attend one that isn't, don't preach.

Originally Posted by Blondiechick919

You do realize that you are going to an unaccredited school as well? Yes, the chances of it not getting accredited are probably small, but don't act all holier than thou just yet. And if you interviewed at a bunch of accredited schools and still made the choice to attend one that isn't, don't preach.

I was saying it's risky to be the FIRST class.

Blondiechick- are you still mad that I said scrubs are ugly? I'm sure you'll look great in them everyday at NOVA :P

I don't care about your fashion preferences really. But if in fact I was in the mood to ditch my scrubs, I do have a rather sizable wardrobe to dip into for professional wear.

And I'm not mad at all actually...but you do seem to be delusional about the amazingness that is your unnecessary school.

Originally Posted by Blondiechick919

I don't care about your fashion preferences really. But if in fact I was in the mood to ditch my scrubs, I do have a rather sizable wardrobe to dip into for professional wear.

And I'm not mad at all actually...but you do seem to be delusional about the amazingness that is your unnecessary school.

Well it's in an area where I want to practice, already have friends around the area, and can bring my car so it's a good fit for me, besides the curriculum that involves interning at a local elementary school and for doctors beginning in the FIRST year...but don't get me wrong, I would have LOVED to go to SCCO. damn waitlists *shakes fist* I also liked NOVA a lot--it's nice that the clinic is right there on campus and you have the option of living on campus as well. I didn't look into the prices of living on campus, but I probably would have lived there for the convenience.