Sorry I haven't posted in forever, as 2nd year has officially kicked my butt! However, I am very happy and pleased to see my fellow schoolmates voicing their opinions and immersing ourselves in the optometric realm.
So for any applicants thinking about going to IAUPR as a short-cut to becoming an OD, GOOD LUCK with that notion!! I do agree the school is more reluctant to give people with "poor GPA's and low OAT scores" a chance at fulfilling their goals, but if you're a weak link....you will get weeded out (as is true for any other academically challenging graduate program..and it happens every year). With that being said, the school has also restructured their curriculum to fully entail sequenced courses to better allow the student to effectively learn material and better prepare them for the new NBEO layout.
I myself am a Spanish-speaker from the mainland and have had the honor of meeting and becoming friends with some of the smartest latinos I've met (and I did complete my undergraduate degree at a well-recognized state university with a diverse student population). My class has one of the largest Puerto Rican populations in a while (9 out of 64, with an additional 6 latinos from the states). As another member mentioned, they we have "SMART" students with excellent GPAs and OAT scores who CHOOSE to attend IAUPR because they simply saw it a better fit for personal and professional reasons. Many of the Puerto Ricans here did not want to leave their homeland yet they had exceptionally stellar statistics. However, although PR is a U.S. territory, English is not spoken as much as you may think...many who learn English had the privilege of attending a private school. For that reason, taking a standardized test in English, such as the OAT, is not exactly the easiest task...and due to language barriers, some may not perform as well. Interestingly enough, of those 9 students, about 4 or 5 are ranked at the top of my class (including myself) in a perdominantly American class. So before people make generalized statements about "intelligence" on the island...I would really hold back. I am truly faithful that many of my driven colleagues will perform exceptionally well on NBEO part I. As for the professors here, they are bilingual (some speak English much better than others), but they KNOW their stuff..especially your professors in Primary Eyecare I, II, and III. Maybe the school organization may not be the best, especially those applying and not being able to get a hold of administration...but administration and professors are two completely different categories and should not be compared.
For those who say IAUPR is a back-up school, perhaps you are correct for some students, and for others it may be a chance to excel in an academically rigorous program with more "maturity" and dedication. I would not judge a school soley based on it's NBEO rates...those numbers fluctuate from year to year and only YOU know what kind of student you aspire to be as well as your capabilities. As far as clinical training and information provided to do well on the boards...it is provided. Does our school have the most driven and BRIGHTEST students in the world...of course not. But those who want to do well, WILL. Remember, no one school has 100% pass rates for part I...so what do you say to those select students from mainland schools that do not pass first time around? Blame it on the school or blame it on yourself??? That is the controversial gray area which brings about much friction. Of course, human instinct is to point the finger at everyone else but yourself. Although I do agree the educational institution must take some part..but not ALL. Remember, this is a graduate program and you must accept responsilbities for your decisions/efforts.
As for someone who actually spent a year at another Optometry school in the states ( a good one), I wish i would have gone to this school first. I am not simply saying that out of spite, or to vouche for my school..but because I truly feel more comfortable in many respects (from friendships with faculty, students, and a BEAUTIFUL ambiance). I had a strong undergrad GPA great OAT scores...and thank goodness my hard work at IAUPR has paid off thus far (I have been blessed with many scholarships...just show them you have the drive).
But remember, this is a forum to express OPINIONS and shed some light onto some of the common misconceptions that many non-IAUPR students/ODs may have and to possibly help prospective students make a clear decision. Remember, when you gradaute...not many patients can differentiate an OD, from an OMD, from an optician...let alone know the NBEO pass rates from your alma mater.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns...I would be more than happy to answer them.