Choosing a program: SCCO vs. PCO

[mariecurie07]

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Hi there -

I've been going through this site for some time and while I originally had no intention of ever posting, I figured I might as well toss a line out and see who bites. 🙂

I am currently trying to decide between SCCO and PCO. I am from Oregon and ultimately will probably want to practice in the Northwest, but I want to experience a different part of the US while in school. I have no issues with location or cost. Both schools were nice, the people were friendly, and I know I would get a good education at either place.

So, besides cost, location*, weather, etc... does anyone have suggestions on how to make this important decision? Random: SCCO doesn't have a cafeteria....

It is the little things that make the difference, right?

* extra question: does location factor in to where you ultimately practice after graduation? If I want to practice in the Northwest should I go with the school that offers more options (in terms of clinical externships) or go with the school that is physically closer?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[optoapp2012]

I have visited SCCO, but not PCO - so I can't really help just between those two 🙂 But in terms of picking near or far...you should definitely ask the schools if they will allow you to attend another state's conferences. For example, if you want to practice in Oregon later, ask SCCO if you can get time away to attend Oregon's Optometric Association meeting each year. I know some schools give students a certain number of days excused each year for that purpose.

Also, ask the schools about licensing practices in the states where you might want to practice. What are the different boards that you would have to take? Some states are just a written law exam while others are a practical (I don't think any NW states have the practical, but I'm not sure). You could also ask the admissions office if there are other Oregon students or alums they could connect you with, because they have likely been through the same process and are a few years down the road to know if there are any extra obstacles.

Overall, I think it's pretty normal to go to school in one state and end up practicing in another (not sure if it's a majority or anything - but tons of students do it at all the opt schools!). I think that's especially true with SCCO, since it's private and Cali is pretty saturated with optometrists. So I wouldn't worry about that!

Both seems like great schools and I imagine licensing and setting up your practice later won't be too hard from either. One other consideration is alumni in the area where you want to practice. That networking might be helpful down the road, but then again, most optometrists are really nice and helpful to everyone regardless of where they went to school =P GOOD LUCK!

 

[optsuker]

Both ar good choices.
PCO will definitely be "city living." & SCCO mandates having a car.

One big plus for SCCO will be the ability to travel home faster and cheaper, so you'll see your family more often @ SCCO.

SCCO does have 4th year rotations in the Pacific Northwest (real good ones @ Madigan Army Hospital in Tacoma & the Portland VA hospital)

 

[janedoe88]

Both ar good choices.
PCO will definitely be "city living." & SCCO mandates having a car.

One big plus for SCCO will be the ability to travel home faster and cheaper, so you'll see your family more often @ SCCO.

SCCO does have 4th year rotations in the Pacific Northwest (real good ones @ Madigan Army Hospital in Tacoma & the Portland VA hospital)

How is PCO city living? It seemed like PCO would mandate a car and SCCO wouldn't...

 

[optsuker]

How is PCO city living? It seemed like PCO would mandate a car and SCCO wouldn't...

For most of us, PCO= Penn College of Optometry (now Salus) and PuCo=Pacific

 

[janedoe88]

For most of us, PCO= Penn College of Optometry (now Salus) and PuCo=Pacific

Yes, I agree. I was saying that I heard that PCO AKA Salus required a car because there wasn't much transportation around the city and that the clinic was far away...also is there anything fun to do nearby the school? It seems really boring.

 

[mjl]

Yes, I agree. I was saying that I heard that PCO AKA Salus required a car because there wasn't much transportation around the city and that the clinic was far away...also is there anything fun to do nearby the school? It seems really boring.

A car would definately be helpful, the clinic is around a 10 minute drive away. On the up side, there is an ambundance of parking in and around the school. As far as there being anything fun, philly is a very short ride away, and there is penty to do there. Im not sure about anything within a walkable distance though.

 

[janedoe88]

A car would definately be helpful, the clinic is around a 10 minute drive away. On the up side, there is an ambundance of parking in and around the school. As far as there being anything fun, philly is a very short ride away, and there is penty to do there. Im not sure about anything within a walkable distance though.

Ya there's no way I'd be able to bring my car from CA =/

 

[mjl]

Ya there's no way I'd be able to bring my car from CA =/ I'm not sure if I should just cancel my interview to PCO. I've already gotten 3 interviews from schools I would rather go to. One is Western, and I know it would be crazy to chose Western over PCO, but I love California and want to practice in the state...

Another thing id like to mention is that I talked to several students while I was there and they said that while having a car definately made things easier, not having one wasnt a big deal. You are broken down into small groups within your class and those are the people you will go to clinic with everytime, so you can easily just arrange a ride with one of them and be set. Just something to think about.

 

[mariecurie07]

Thanks for the thoughts! I hadn't considered talking with the Oregon Optometric Assoc. I e-mailed them today, so hopefully they can give me some feedback.

Oh! The carpool idea for PCO sounds great! I am no expert with driving in the snow, so I would definitely be a ring-leader in getting something like that started. 🙂

I have yet to come across a PCO alumni here in Oregon, but have met 1 SCCO grad, but I figure both schools could connect me with someone.

 

[RegularGuy]

I'm a student at SCCO. I'm also from the northwest and plan to return after graduation.

SCCO doesn't have a cafeteria but it's not a big deal. A lot of people eat out together, run home to eat, or use the lounges (We have 2 student lounges with fridges, microwaves and vending machines.)

SCCO's clinic is located at the school, but you'll probably want a car because even if you live next door to the school, you'll need to get groceries and will want to explore Orange County and LA every once in a while. Southern California has a strong car culture overall, and SCCO is in the middle of suburbia, so I would totally recommend a car.

It's hard to say whether SCCO or PCO will provide more networking opportunities for the Pacific NW. Every class here has a couple of people from the pacific NW, but I dunno much about PCO. However, I do know that SCCO has a few rotation sites up there, and that's would be a good way to network (and when you're at your rotation, make sure you go to optometric society meetings so you can meet people).

Also, like optsuker said, it'll be a lot easier to get home from California than from PCO.

Honestly, though, whichever school you go to, though, you can probably just move to the state you want to work in, network, and get a job. (Even if your first job isn't the best).