Berkeley and NECO

Started by optomstudent201900
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optomstudent201900

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Just got my acceptance to Berkeley - I'm really torn between there and NECO - just curious to see if other people are also still picking between schools, Berkeley or NECO being one of them, and how youre narrowing down your choice. I'm pretty stuck I love them both but for difference reasons.
 
Hello! I was also stuck between choosing schools, but I started my elimination process before even receiving any interviews LOL I'm Canadian so I had to choose where I wanted to apply carefully, since it's expensive having to fly out each time for an interview. I decided to apply to SCCO, PCO and NECO.

For my process of elimination, I made a spreadsheet listing the pros and cons of each school which compared curriculum structure, courses offered, approximate cost of living, options for transportation while attending school, and general safety & convenience of each area. If you're a foodie or have dietary restrictions, you might also wanna look at the variety of food options available in the area. I found it more helpful to compare the cons of each school (choosing the lesser evil).

I didn't compare tuition costs since these schools are all around US$40-45k per year. I also didn't worry too much about the NBEO pass rates because all 3 schools are reputable, and I won't necessarily blame a school for any sub-par performance of its students. At the end of the day, going to school will prepare me to have the required knowledge and skills, but passing the NBEO will depend on my own ability to know all the material and recall it for the test.

In the end, I got accepted to both SCCO and PCO and I cancelled my interview with NECO. I interviewed with NECO a few years back (didn't get accepted) so I knew what they had to offer, which was why I decided to cancel my interview. That being said, NECO was actually my top choice school before the application cycle started.

I chose to accept SCCO's offer because I felt so at home there and the faculty was so welcoming. I could picture myself being on that campus for the next 4 years and genuinely enjoy going to school there. I also have some extended family living in SoCal, which is a bonus even though PCO and NECO are much closer to Toronto. I also love Mexican and Vietnamese food, which are both very accessible in SoCal.

Weather was also a big factor for me. I grew up with all 4 seasons and I dread any sort of precipitation. I was offered a generous renewable scholarship at PCO, but I just couldn't see myself enjoying my time there, so I declined their offer of admission. Some may call this a dumb financial decision, but I'm sure there is someone else out there that needs the financial support and that wants the seat at PCO much more than me.

I hope this helps with your elimination process!
 
optomstudent201900 said:
Just got my acceptance to Berkeley - I'm really torn between there and NECO - just curious to see if other people are also still picking between schools, Berkeley or NECO being one of them, and how youre narrowing down your choice. I'm pretty stuck I love them both but for difference reasons.
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Based strictly off of Board scores, I think if you got in at Berkeley, you should go to Berkeley. Every student and doctor I have met from UCB is incredibly bright and ambitious. Additionally, they always have a high turn out rate for residency and fellowship. I have had similar experiences with NECO students and doctors, but their Board scores are objectively lower, and the scope of practice in Massachusetts further limits the profession.

Both are phenomenal institutions. You'll be great at either one. Congrats!

Class Profile & Statistics

NECO's admissions class profile statistics, offering insights into student demographics, academic achievements, and diversity trends.
www.neco.edu www.neco.edu

NBEO Pass Rates and Outcomes - UC Berkeley School of Optometry

The national board exams for optometry are administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). The NBEO is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit organization whose mission is to protect the public by accurately assessing the competence of practicing optometrists...
optometry.berkeley.edu optometry.berkeley.edu
 
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