Canadian applying for scholarships at NECO?

[ODpsyche]

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Hi everyone,

I just received an invitation to an interview at NECO and I'm still deciding if I should attend it. For me, there are two big turnoffs of going to NECO: 1) high tuition; 2) low board passing rate. However, I think it'll still attend it if I can manage to win some scholarships. I have very good stats, 3.93 gpa, 390aa, 400ts; given these stats, does anyone with past experience applying to NECO know if the school will give me generous scholarships? Please also consider the fact that I'm not a US citizen (I'm a Canadian) and right now seems to be pretty late in the game.

Any input is welcome! Thanks for reading my message. =)

 

[CDN_twin]

Hi everyone,

I just received an invitation to an interview at NECO and I'm still deciding if I should attend it. For me, there are two big turnoffs of going to NECO: 1) high tuition; 2) low board passing rate. However, I think it'll still attend it if I can manage to win some scholarships. I have very good stats, 3.93 gpa, 390aa, 400ts; given these stats, does anyone with past experience applying to NECO know if the school will give me generous scholarships? Please also consider the fact that I'm not a US citizen (I'm a Canadian) and right now seems to be pretty late in the game.

Any input is welcome! Thanks for reading my message. =)

Forget about NECO...apply to Waterloo!!!! (Your stats look very good!)

I've actually applied to NECO. I've been accepted to 3 optometry schools already but haven't heard anything from NECO yet (They are extremly slow and the lady who answers the phone can be rude). But I don't think I'd go there too because of the same reasons: low NBEO, and very expensive. Plus, you can't bring a car and a lot of students live far away from the school.

Boston is a great place though and NECO is known for their research.

As for scholarships, here's a list I got off their Financial Aid Handbook ( http://www.neco.edu/finaid/handbook/FA-Handbook-AY06.pdf --starting on page 9): under heading, "DOES THE COLLEGE OFFER ANY SCHOLARSHIPS?"

DOES THE COLLEGE OFFER ANY SCHOLARSHIPS?
The scholarships listed below, including the Merit Scholarship, a renewable scholarship offered to qualified
incoming students, are funded by private donors and College resources. They are awarded to a student with the
expectation that the recipient will continue to make satisfactory academic progress and conduct herself or
himself in an ethical and professional manner. If a student who receives an award is later judged by the Student
Affairs Committee as not meeting the College’s standards (please refer to the Student Handbook), the award
may be rescinded for at least one term of study.
If a scholarship application is required, it is noted in the description of the award. Otherwise, students are
selected by committee based on academic merit and/or financial need. The NECO Scholarship Application is
posted on this website by November 1 and must be submitted by December 1. Only current students may
apply.
Alumni Association Scholarship
Provides eight awards to students in good academic standing and with demonstrated financial need and
community service. Student applies using the College’s Scholarship application. The recipients are selected by
an Alumni Association Scholarship Committee and are announced at the Scholarship and Awards Ceremony in
early spring.
John Asarkof Scholarship
Awarded to a fourth year student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in vision rehabilitation. The
selection committee is made up of members of the low vision faculty. The selection of this scholarship will
take place in the spring quarter and will be awarded at the Commencement Celebration.
William C. Barrett Memorial Scholarship for Clinical Excellence
Provides an award to a fourth year student with outstanding clinical skills and documented financial need.
Priority is given to students meeting these criteria who served in clinical rotations at the Omni Centers in
Atlanta, Georgia and Phoenix, Arizona. The scholarship award will be used to reduce the outstanding principal
on the recipient’s most costly student loan. The recipient is selected by the preceptors at the Omni Atlanta and
Omni Phoenix. The award is presented at the Commencement Celebration.
Beider Moral Obligation Scholarship
Offered to approximately eight students in the third or fourth year who have a cumulative grade-point average
over 3.60 and who are financially needy, earnest, and faithful. The award is applied to the student recipients’
accounts. Recipients are selected by the Beider Moral Obligation Scholarship Committee.
Dr. John Carter Scholarship
9
Provides an award to a third year student who has achieved a grade of A in all pharmacology coursework.
Other additional factors may include demonstrated academic leadership and exemplary character. The award is
presented at the spring Scholarship and Awards Ceremony. Pharmacology faculty selects the recipient.
Class of 1969 Scholarship
Awarded to a fourth year student with demonstrated financial need and outstanding clinical performance. The
award is presented at the Commencement Celebration.
Stacy Friedman Pinsker and Rosemore Family Foundation Scholarship
Is awarded to a student with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The recipient is determined by the Scholarship and
Awards Committee in consultation with the Rosemore family.
Emanuel S. Glasser Scholarship
Provides an award to a student who shows demonstrated financial need; is in good academic standing; exhibits
extraordinary interest and enthusiasm in both academics and clinical practice, as well as a demonstrable
dedication to the New England College of Optometry. Student applies using the College’s Scholarship
application. The recipient is selected by the Scholarship and Awards Committee, and the award is presented at
the Scholarship and Awards Ceremony.
Israel and Sylvia Grossman Scholarship
Awarded to a student in the second, third, or fourth year who has demonstrated academic achievement and
financial need, and who has the potential for becoming an active and concerned member of the alumni body of
the college and the optometric profession. Student applies using the College’s Scholarship application and the
recipient is chosen by the Scholarship and Awards Committee. The award is presented at the Scholarship and
Awards Ceremony.
The Rose and Warren Guilford Dr. Arnelda Levine and Dr. Janet Mechanic OD1 Award
Is offered to a first year student with a GPA of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale), and an OAT score of 300 or more.
Preference is given to female students. The selection is made by the Scholarship and Awards Committee and is
presented at the Scholarship and Awards Ceremony.
The Edith and Erich Heymans Scholarship
Provides an award to a needy OD-3 student of high scholastic standing who exhibits integrity, dedication, and a
high level of accuracy. Student applies using the NECO Scholarship Application. The Scholarship and Awards
Committee makes the selection. The award is presented at the Awards and Scholarship Ceremony.
The Otto Hochstadt Scholarship
Awarded to a first year student with a remarkable GPA in the Bio-Science curriculum; shows financial need
and is considered industrious. The chair of the Bio-Science department will appoint a committee of first year
faculty to select the recipient. The award is presented at the Scholarship and Awards Ceremony.
The Dr. Hyman R. Kamens Scholarship
This award is given to a fourth year student who has demonstrated leadership and commitment to serving others
in the field of optometry. The recipient will be selected by a committee. Students will be notified in the spring
quarter to submit a brief essay why they believe they should receive this award. The award will be presented at
the Commencement Celebration.
10
The Klein Family Scholarship
Awards a scholarship to a first year student with at least a 3.25 GPA and an OAT score of 300+, and who
demonstrates financial need. The Financial Aid Committee selects the student, and the presentation is made at
the Scholarship and Awards Ceremony.
Monte N. Kofos Scholarship
Awards two scholarships to student in the third and fourth years that have demonstrated academic achievement
and financial need, and who has the potential to contribute to the optometric profession. Student applies using
the College’s Scholarship application. The selection is made by the Scholarship and Awards Committee. The
award is presented at the Scholarship and Awards Ceremony.
Jean M. Lank Memorial Scholarship
The successful candidate is a first year student who is a nurse (RN or LPN) or an adult making a career change.
In the fall, qualified students are notified of the deadline to submit a letter of application indicating their career
change: what careers they were in and what they did, why they decided to change to optometry. The recipient
is selected by the Financial Aid Committee, and the award is presented at the Scholarship and Awards
Ceremony.
Dr. Joseph J. Levitan Prize
Is offered to a graduating student who has demonstrated excellence in the doctor/patient relationship.
Academic performance is not considered, but candidates must be in good academic standing with acceptable
grades. The award is presented at the Commencement Celebration.
Wallace F. Molinari Scholarship Award
This scholarship is given to a second, third, or fourth year student who has a GPA of 3.5 or better, has
extraordinary financial need, has proven academic and leadership achievement. It is presented at the
Scholarship and Awards Ceremony.
Foster Namias Scholarship
Awarded to a student who shows financial need and is in the top 5% of the second or third year class. The
Scholarship and Awards Committee is given a list of those students that fit this criterion and are asked to make
their selection. The Financial Aid Committee approves their selection. The award is presented at the
Scholarship and Awards Ceremony.
The New England College of Optometry Award for Clinical Excellence
Provides one award to a second year student in the four-year program who has demonstrated superior clinical
competence. The OD2 Preceptors are asked to make this selection. The student recipient is notified in June.

.......

 

[CDN_twin]

Hi everyone,

I just received an invitation to an interview at NECO and I'm still deciding if I should attend it. For me, there are two big turnoffs of going to NECO: 1) high tuition; 2) low board passing rate. However, I think it'll still attend it if I can manage to win some scholarships. I have very good stats, 3.93 gpa, 390aa, 400ts; given these stats, does anyone with past experience applying to NECO know if the school will give me generous scholarships? Please also consider the fact that I'm not a US citizen (I'm a Canadian) and right now seems to be pretty late in the game.

Any input is welcome! Thanks for reading my message. =)

Forget about NECO...apply to Waterloo!!!! (Your stats look very good!)

I've actually applied to NECO. I've been accepted to 3 optometry schools already but haven't heard anything from NECO yet (They are extremly slow and the lady who answers the phone can be rude). But I don't think I'd go there too because of the same reasons: low NBEO, and very expensive. Plus, you can't bring a car and a lot of students live far away from the school.

Boston is a great place though and NECO is known for their research.

As for scholarships, here's a list I got off their Financial Aid Handbook ( http://www.neco.edu/finaid/handbook/FA-Handbook-AY06.pdf --starting on page 9): under heading, "DOES THE COLLEGE OFFER ANY SCHOLARSHIPS?"

DOES THE COLLEGE OFFER ANY SCHOLARSHIPS?
The scholarships listed below, including the Merit Scholarship, a renewable scholarship offered to qualified
incoming students, are funded by private donors and College resources. They are awarded to a student with the
expectation that the recipient will continue to make satisfactory academic progress and conduct herself or
himself in an ethical and professional manner. If a student who receives an award is later judged by the Student
Affairs Committee as not meeting the College’s standards (please refer to the Student Handbook), the award
may be rescinded for at least one term of study.
If a scholarship application is required, it is noted in the description of the award. Otherwise, students are
selected by committee based on academic merit and/or financial need. The NECO Scholarship Application is
posted on this website by November 1 and must be submitted by December 1. Only current students may
apply.
Alumni Association Scholarship
Provides eight awards to students in good academic standing and with demonstrated financial need and
community service. Student applies using the College’s Scholarship application. The recipients are selected by
an Alumni Association Scholarship Committee and are announced at the Scholarship and Awards Ceremony in
early spring.
John Asarkof Scholarship
Awarded to a fourth year student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in vision rehabilitation. The
selection committee is made up of members of the low vision faculty. The selection of this scholarship will
take place in the spring quarter and will be awarded at the Commencement Celebration.
William C. Barrett Memorial Scholarship for Clinical Excellence
Provides an award to a fourth year student with outstanding clinical skills and documented financial need.
Priority is given to students meeting these criteria who served in clinical rotations at the Omni Centers in
Atlanta, Georgia and Phoenix, Arizona. The scholarship award will be used to reduce the outstanding principal
on the recipient’s most costly student loan. The recipient is selected by the preceptors at the Omni Atlanta and
Omni Phoenix. The award is presented at the Commencement Celebration.
Beider Moral Obligation Scholarship
Offered to approximately eight students in the third or fourth year who have a cumulative grade-point average
over 3.60 and who are financially needy, earnest, and faithful. The award is applied to the student recipients’
accounts. Recipients are selected by the Beider Moral Obligation Scholarship Committee.
Dr. John Carter Scholarship
9
Provides an award to a third year student who has achieved a grade of A in all pharmacology coursework.
Other additional factors may include demonstrated academic leadership and exemplary character. The award is
presented at the spring Scholarship and Awards Ceremony. Pharmacology faculty selects the recipient.
Class of 1969 Scholarship
Awarded to a fourth year student with demonstrated financial need and outstanding clinical performance. The
award is presented at the Commencement Celebration.
Stacy Friedman Pinsker and Rosemore Family Foundation Scholarship
Is awarded to a student with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The recipient is determined by the Scholarship and
Awards Committee in consultation with the Rosemore family.
Emanuel S. Glasser Scholarship
Provides an award to a student who shows demonstrated financial need; is in good academic standing; exhibits
extraordinary interest and enthusiasm in both academics and clinical practice, as well as a demonstrable
dedication to the New England College of Optometry. Student applies using the College’s Scholarship
application. The recipient is selected by the Scholarship and Awards Committee, and the award is presented at
the Scholarship and Awards Ceremony.
Israel and Sylvia Grossman Scholarship
Awarded to a student in the second, third, or fourth year who has demonstrated academic achievement and
financial need, and who has the potential for becoming an active and concerned member of the alumni body of
the college and the optometric profession. Student applies using the College’s Scholarship application and the
recipient is chosen by the Scholarship and Awards Committee. The award is presented at the Scholarship and
Awards Ceremony.
The Rose and Warren Guilford Dr. Arnelda Levine and Dr. Janet Mechanic OD1 Award
Is offered to a first year student with a GPA of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale), and an OAT score of 300 or more.
Preference is given to female students. The selection is made by the Scholarship and Awards Committee and is
presented at the Scholarship and Awards Ceremony.
The Edith and Erich Heymans Scholarship
Provides an award to a needy OD-3 student of high scholastic standing who exhibits integrity, dedication, and a
high level of accuracy. Student applies using the NECO Scholarship Application. The Scholarship and Awards
Committee makes the selection. The award is presented at the Awards and Scholarship Ceremony.
The Otto Hochstadt Scholarship
Awarded to a first year student with a remarkable GPA in the Bio-Science curriculum; shows financial need
and is considered industrious. The chair of the Bio-Science department will appoint a committee of first year
faculty to select the recipient. The award is presented at the Scholarship and Awards Ceremony.
The Dr. Hyman R. Kamens Scholarship
This award is given to a fourth year student who has demonstrated leadership and commitment to serving others
in the field of optometry. The recipient will be selected by a committee. Students will be notified in the spring
quarter to submit a brief essay why they believe they should receive this award. The award will be presented at
the Commencement Celebration.
10
The Klein Family Scholarship
Awards a scholarship to a first year student with at least a 3.25 GPA and an OAT score of 300+, and who
demonstrates financial need. The Financial Aid Committee selects the student, and the presentation is made at
the Scholarship and Awards Ceremony.
Monte N. Kofos Scholarship
Awards two scholarships to student in the third and fourth years that have demonstrated academic achievement
and financial need, and who has the potential to contribute to the optometric profession. Student applies using
the College’s Scholarship application. The selection is made by the Scholarship and Awards Committee. The
award is presented at the Scholarship and Awards Ceremony.
Jean M. Lank Memorial Scholarship
The successful candidate is a first year student who is a nurse (RN or LPN) or an adult making a career change.
In the fall, qualified students are notified of the deadline to submit a letter of application indicating their career
change: what careers they were in and what they did, why they decided to change to optometry. The recipient
is selected by the Financial Aid Committee, and the award is presented at the Scholarship and Awards
Ceremony.
Dr. Joseph J. Levitan Prize
Is offered to a graduating student who has demonstrated excellence in the doctor/patient relationship.
Academic performance is not considered, but candidates must be in good academic standing with acceptable
grades. The award is presented at the Commencement Celebration.
Wallace F. Molinari Scholarship Award
This scholarship is given to a second, third, or fourth year student who has a GPA of 3.5 or better, has
extraordinary financial need, has proven academic and leadership achievement. It is presented at the
Scholarship and Awards Ceremony.
Foster Namias Scholarship
Awarded to a student who shows financial need and is in the top 5% of the second or third year class. The
Scholarship and Awards Committee is given a list of those students that fit this criterion and are asked to make
their selection. The Financial Aid Committee approves their selection. The award is presented at the
Scholarship and Awards Ceremony.
The New England College of Optometry Award for Clinical Excellence
Provides one award to a second year student in the four-year program who has demonstrated superior clinical
competence. The OD2 Preceptors are asked to make this selection. The student recipient is notified in June.

.......the list of scholarships is from page 9 to 14...i couldn't fit all of them here

 

[anchan]

i wouldn't count on the school giving you a billion dollars for scholarship, most of them are only a few thousand at most, you'd still have pay for the bulk of your tuition with loans or your own money. i'm not sure of any schools that would give you a full ride scholarship.

as for low NBEO, what stats are you basing this off of? when other schools tell you that their board pass rate is 99% is that after part I, II or III? i could go ahead and tell you that at graduation, the boards pass rate for that class is 99% for NECO as well, because to be in practice you have to pass your boards...which of course most people eventualyl get around to doing becuase presumably they want a job.

currently boards part I, basic sciences has been the more challenging of the three parts and first time (note first time) national average pass rate is about 70%+/-, and in recent years our school has achieved a first time pass rate slightly below this but fairly on par with the national average.

anyway, all ihave to say is, even if you go to a school of your choosing becuase you feel they will help pass your boards, the job of an optometrist is not to write mc exams for the rest of their lives. even if the school does a good job of presenting all the material available to you for the boards yet you decide not to study for the NBEO, you can't be guranteed to pass. it all depends on how much effort you put into it.

and besides, it's not like you'll get kicked out of optometry school if you don't pass your boards, you can retake them pretty muhc as many times as you want to. NBEO is not the biggest factor when choosing a school, look at everything the school as to offer, the city that it's located in, different programs, etc.

i'm not going to tell you that NECO is the best school, because it isn't, but to choose soley on the basis of NBEO pass rates would be a foolish thing to do.

 

[medonly]

i wouldn't count on the school giving you a billion dollars for scholarship, most of them are only a few thousand at most, you'd still have pay for the bulk of your tuition with loans or your own money. i'm not sure of any schools that would give you a full ride scholarship.

as for low NBEO, what stats are you basing this off of? when other schools tell you that their board pass rate is 99% is that after part I, II or III? i could go ahead and tell you that at graduation, the boards pass rate for that class is 99% for NECO as well, because to be in practice you have to pass your boards...which of course most people eventualyl get around to doing becuase presumably they want a job.

currently boards part I, basic sciences has been the more challenging of the three parts and first time (note first time) national average pass rate is about 70%+/-, and in recent years our school has achieved a first time pass rate slightly below this but fairly on par with the national average.

anyway, all ihave to say is, even if you go to a school of your choosing becuase you feel they will help pass your boards, the job of an optometrist is not to write mc exams for the rest of their lives. even if the school does a good job of presenting all the material available to you for the boards yet you decide not to study for the NBEO, you can't be guranteed to pass. it all depends on how much effort you put into it.

and besides, it's not like you'll get kicked out of optometry school if you don't pass your boards, you can retake them pretty muhc as many times as you want to. NBEO is not the biggest factor when choosing a school, look at everything the school as to offer, the city that it's located in, different programs, etc.

i'm not going to tell you that NECO is the best school, because it isn't, but to choose soley on the basis of NBEO pass rates would be a foolish thing to do.

PLEASE GET RID OF THE LADY WHO ANSWERS THE PHONE at NECO!!!!!
she is unprofessional., rude and may risk NECO a law suit with her racist comments and sharing data from other applicants. One of the factors that I refused NECO's offer. It tells a lot about the instituton when they choose such persons to represent them. Just my two cents.....!
Good luck!

 

[ODpsyche]

Thanks cdn_twin, anchan, and medonly for replying my post. Your comments are much appreciated! =)

To anchan,
It sounds like you are a student from NECO. What do you think about the school in general? The most I heard is that the atmosphere of the school is pretty laid back. You mentioned that NECO is not the best school; can you share what aspects you don't like about the school? As for my comment about low NBEO, I was referring to the first-time pass rate of part I of the exam. Searching through the optometry forum, I remember I saw a thread that listed the recent pass rate for NEBO part I; out of all schools that were listed (I recall about 5-6 schools were listed), NECO had the lowest pass rate. I found it a bit worrying. Some people in this forum relate the low pass rate to NECO's curriculum, which is thought to be not very well-organized. Can you also share your comments on that?

Of course, if other people would also like to share your comments, you are more than welcomed to do so!

Thanks!

 

[anchan]

to medonly, ok because i own NECO i will fire her immediately. haha all joking aside, maybe i can put in a comment for you, could you provide some details on your negative experiences with her?

ODpsyche:
yes i'm a current 1st year student at NECO, i think my opinion is still preliminary at this point in time. but i will say what i can.

generally i would agree and say that the student body is fairly laid back...and maybe this is the reason we don't do that well on NBEO? i'm not 100% sure one why we falter with the NBEO I, personally i don't see any particular problems with the curriculum, i will admit it's not perhaps as academically intensive as it could be but this could be to offset the more invovled clinical aspect of the curriculum. up until a few years ago the pass rates were actually fairly impressive but it seems things have hit a slump, i'm not sure if it just specific to the type of students that been admitted into the school over the past couple of years or there is inherently problems with the curriculum. but of course the school recognizes this as a drawback and have or is in the process of implementing improvements to the curriculum in which they feel need to be addressed to help students excel at the NBEO.

as for best school out there, it's hard to define what is "best" as it is fairly subjective. but if you wanted me to make an ultimate mega ideal optometry school i would say NECO is not it, and neither is any optometry school on this planet because it's just not possible to be "the" perfect 100% school, we might as well just call it heaven instead of optometry school. but every school out there strives to offer what it can to give their students the appropiate training to join the profession, therefore in the end the choice is up to you which you think is the "best" school for you based on how their offerings can meet your interests.

as for something i dislike about the school, i think that being a private school disallows from taping in a large resource pool perhaps say a state-affiliated institution could. this restricts what the school can do on many levels, but this is likely true with the some of the other private optometry schools as well.

and again about the low board scores, if it's really such a worry for you, don't go to NECO then, if you feel it's not going to give you the education you want then there is no reason to go to the school.

 

[lauraoptometry]

I just can't believe this!!! we are in the same situation !!! I have a GPA of 3.94 and scored 390 in OAT. I can't chooose between NECO and Waaterloo now.

so which school did you end up with and how do you like it so far?

I would really appreciate it if you can contact me in person
[email protected]

thanks so much OD psche🙂

laura

 

[stoikiometry]

Last Activity: 08-09-2006 04:18 PM

Although he may not be logged in, I don't think he comes here anymore.