Criteria for choosing which school

[Caerulus]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone,

I was curious as to what criteria everyone uses to choose which opto school to attend? I assume common ones include:

1. Tuition/Cost of Living
2. City vs Rural
3. Location/Weather
4. Reputation? (Although I have heard there really isn't a ranking of the schools)
5. Feel of the school when you visited
etc.

Reason I am asking for everyone's opinions is because I am trying to choose between 2 schools. I am leaning towards the more expensive school.....I am fortunate enough that money is not a big issue for me. However, I want to be sure!

Thanks!

 

[janedoe88]

Hi everyone,

I was curious as to what criteria everyone uses to choose which opto school to attend? I assume common ones include:

1. Tuition/Cost of Living
2. City vs Rural
3. Location/Weather
4. Reputation? (Although I have heard there really isn't a ranking of the schools)
5. Feel of the school when you visited
etc.

Reason I am asking for everyone's opinions is because I am trying to choose between 2 schools. I am leaning towards the more expensive school.....I am fortunate enough that money is not a big issue for me. However, I want to be sure!

Thanks!

I would think about where you want to live the rest of your life. I'm from CA and know I want to practice in CA, so that's how I decided. There is a reputation known about the schools, I would talk to more people and see if you can figure out which ones are higher ranked. As for tuition/living, I don't think $3000 between schools should change your opinion, you could always chose to live in a cheaper apartment.

 

[Caerulus]

I would think about where you want to live the rest of your life. I'm from CA and know I want to practice in CA, so that's how I decided. There is a reputation known about the schools, I would talk to more people and see if you can figure out which ones are higher ranked. As for tuition/living, I don't think $3000 between schools should change your opinion, you could always chose to live in a cheaper apartment.

Actually I am comparing between one in the US and Waterloo in Canada (I'm Canadian).

So including the extra amount I have to pay for being an international student....the difference for 4 years is about 80,000 dollars.

 

[sugarandspice]

Actually I am comparing between one in the US and Waterloo in Canada (I'm Canadian).

So including the extra amount I have to pay for being an international student....the difference for 4 years is about 80,000 dollars.

I'm canadian also. Personally US schools gave me a better impression and ODs I know seem to agree US schools give more clinical exposure. Like you said Waterloo is much cheaper so if accepted i'll definitely go.
Which school in US are you comparing against?

 

[Caerulus]

I'm canadian also. Personally US schools gave me a better impression and ODs I know seem to agree US schools give more clinical exposure. Like you said Waterloo is much cheaper so if accepted i'll definitely go.
Which school in US are you comparing against?

Pacific University. I also got the exact same impression.

What about you?

 

[optoapp2012]

Hi everyone,

I was curious as to what criteria everyone uses to choose which opto school to attend? I assume common ones include:

1. Tuition/Cost of Living
2. City vs Rural
3. Location/Weather
4. Reputation? (Although I have heard there really isn't a ranking of the schools)
5. Feel of the school when you visited
etc.

Reason I am asking for everyone's opinions is because I am trying to choose between 2 schools. I am leaning towards the more expensive school.....I am fortunate enough that money is not a big issue for me. However, I want to be sure!

Thanks!

Other factors for me included the patient base - do you want to see particular populations? A diverse population? Do you want to see lots of ocular disease? What age groups do you want to see?

Also the specialty clinics they have. Certain schools have certain strengths and they also have clinics that are kind of a joke because there isn't a patient base to fill them.

One thing with Pacific is to decide whether you mind that you will have to drive a fair amount the their clinics. That may not bother you at all.

Think too about their extracurriculars and how active those clubs are - is there a private practice club that brings in lots of speakers and provides good exposure? Is there a SVOSH group and how often or well funded are the trips?

You will get a good education at any of the schools if you seek it out. What tailors the schools to different people will likely be its location (several of the factors you listed above), the caliber of your peers, and the strengths/weaknesses/focus of the clinic and patient base. Of course feeling like they WANT you there is important too. I've felt like some schools have really wanted me and others haven't conveyed that, and it's been different schools for everyone that I've talked to.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Caerulus]

Other factors for me included the patient base - do you want to see particular populations? A diverse population? Do you want to see lots of ocular disease? What age groups do you want to see?

Also the specialty clinics they have. Certain schools have certain strengths and they also have clinics that are kind of a joke because there isn't a patient base to fill them.

One thing with Pacific is to decide whether you mind that you will have to drive a fair amount the their clinics. That may not bother you at all.

Think too about their extracurriculars and how active those clubs are - is there a private practice club that brings in lots of speakers and provides good exposure? Is there a SVOSH group and how often or well funded are the trips?

You will get a good education at any of the schools if you seek it out. What tailors the schools to different people will likely be its location (several of the factors you listed above), the caliber of your peers, and the strengths/weaknesses/focus of the clinic and patient base. Of course feeling like they WANT you there is important too. I've felt like some schools have really wanted me and others haven't conveyed that, and it's been different schools for everyone that I've talked to.

Good luck with your decision!

Those are some good points too. Thanks!

I felt that I got a good idea of those things when I visited Pacific (they have a strong binocular base), but unfortunately I did not find out much for the school in Canada, thus it is hard to compare. Waterloo's interview format was very different, in that you don't get to really ask the professors anything (6 minute interviews). There was a round table discussion with the current students, although it was more of a presentation. However, I am sure Waterloo is a great school!

From the 3 schools I interviewed at/visited, all of them say that they have a large/diverse patient base with chances to see different ocular diseases. Is there a better way to research this?

 

[NAE429]

A few other things you might want to consider:

-Types of externships/diversity of externship program. Do you want to specialize?-different schools cater to different specialties. Do you have your heart set on externships in a particular area (which may make a difference if you want to land a permanent job in a particular area)?

-Board pass rates

-Distance from "home"-could work as a pro or a con.


my final decision came down to an $80,000 price difference too, and it was overall very difficult to decide. I completely understand where you're at right now.

 

[Caerulus]

A few other things you might want to consider:

-Types of externships/diversity of externship program. Do you want to specialize?-different schools cater to different specialties. Do you have your heart set on externships in a particular area (which may make a difference if you want to land a permanent job in a particular area)?

-Board pass rates

-Distance from "home"-could work as a pro or a con.


my final decision came down to an $80,000 price difference too, and it was overall very difficult to decide. I completely understand where you're at right now.

I thought in the 4th year rotations you can choose locations all over the US regardless of which school. Waterloo told me that most of their rotations are in the States as well. Or is the externships you were talking about something else?

I haven't really decided which specialty I want to specialize in (maybe won't even specialize in anything), but I definitely prefer staying on the West Coast (closer to home, weather etc.).

May I ask which school you were deciding between and which you chose?

 

[Squint]

quality of clinical experience

 

[janedoe88]

Well do you want to live in the US or Canada? I think you should pick Canada, you could use that $80,000 to start your own practice. I interviewed at Pacific and didn't think it was that great. First of all, you're on the undergrad campus instead of the graduate campus- lame. Second, the buildings are old and the technology is old. It's also an hour away from Portland aka civilization, I would feel isolated.

 

[QueenieCSS]

Actually I am comparing between one in the US and Waterloo in Canada (I'm Canadian).

So including the extra amount I have to pay for being an international student....the difference for 4 years is about 80,000 dollars.

I choose Pacific over another school that would have saved me about $75,000. I think I based a lot of it off of feel from my interview day. I just felt more comfortable there and thought I would learn better in that environment, especially because I don't think the education is that much different between schools.

I'm not Canadian so I can't speak to the differences in clinic abilities versus Waterloo but if you have any specific questions about Pacific you want answered before you make your decision, feel free to PM me.

Good luck - whichever decision you make, I am sure it will be the right one for you 🙂

 

[optoapp2012]

Well do you want to live in the US or Canada? I think you should pick Canada, you could use that $80,000 to start your own practice. I interviewed at Pacific and didn't think it was that great. First of all, you're on the undergrad campus instead of the graduate campus- lame. Second, the buildings are old and the technology is old. It's also an hour away from Portland aka civilization, I would feel isolated.

I don't think prioritizing new technology over old is a good idea actually. I used to feel that way too, and got all wowed about the automatic phoropters and all that jazz. But the reality is that you are highly unlikely to be using those in any practice right out of school - whether private or commercial. So it's probably a better idea to get the majority of your experience on the commonly used technology since that's what you will be using after graduation. That's not to say that the new stuff isn't important to be exposed to - I think exposure to it is the only way you would ever feel comfortable incorporating it into your practice. I think all the schools have a wide range of new and old stuff, except some of the newer schools that only have new things (maybe 1-2 of the old). Most schools have a wide array of fundus cameras, etc. So I think it's much more important to prioritize *breadth* of exposure to technology rather than just old vs. new.

As for how to get a better sense of the patient base - I would ask to be put in touch with a 3rd and/or 4th year student. Try to get linked up with at least a couple different ones, since they will each have their own experiences to share. Ask them what kinds of things they see most commonly, and what are some special things they have only seen once maybe but were really cool things to see. That gave me a sense of what I might see at each school. It was a student from Indiana that told me they pretty much only see myopia with astigmatism - I don't think anyone would have told me that from the admissions office! The students are much more likely to be bluntly honest with you. But different students will have seen different things through their clinical experience, so asking more than one is important!

 

[janedoe88]

I don't think prioritizing new technology over old is a good idea actually. I used to feel that way too, and got all wowed about the automatic phoropters and all that jazz. But the reality is that you are highly unlikely to be using those in any practice right out of school - whether private or commercial. So it's probably a better idea to get the majority of your experience on the commonly used technology since that's what you will be using after graduation. That's not to say that the new stuff isn't important to be exposed to - I think exposure to it is the only way you would ever feel comfortable incorporating it into your practice. I think all the schools have a wide range of new and old stuff, except some of the newer schools that only have new things (maybe 1-2 of the old). Most schools have a wide array of fundus cameras, etc. So I think it's much more important to prioritize *breadth* of exposure to technology rather than just old vs. new.

As for how to get a better sense of the patient base - I would ask to be put in touch with a 3rd and/or 4th year student. Try to get linked up with at least a couple different ones, since they will each have their own experiences to share. Ask them what kinds of things they see most commonly, and what are some special things they have only seen once maybe but were really cool things to see. That gave me a sense of what I might see at each school. It was a student from Indiana that told me they pretty much only see myopia with astigmatism - I don't think anyone would have told me that from the admissions office! The students are much more likely to be bluntly honest with you. But different students will have seen different things through their clinical experience, so asking more than one is important!

All of the OD's I've interned for (Private Practices, Lenscrafters...etc) have used new technologically advanced machines. If you want to be behind, then that's your problem. I think considering which schools have updated their technology is a very important criteria to consider. Unless you want to be staring at a new device like an idiot when you get your first job...

 

[darcyohara]

They have the new phoropters at Pacific. They will make sure their students have experience w/ both types.

 

[Caerulus]

As for how to get a better sense of the patient base - I would ask to be put in touch with a 3rd and/or 4th year student. Try to get linked up with at least a couple different ones, since they will each have their own experiences to share. Ask them what kinds of things they see most commonly, and what are some special things they have only seen once maybe but were really cool things to see. That gave me a sense of what I might see at each school. It was a student from Indiana that told me they pretty much only see myopia with astigmatism - I don't think anyone would have told me that from the admissions office! The students are much more likely to be bluntly honest with you. But different students will have seen different things through their clinical experience, so asking more than one is important!

This is a great idea! Thanks

 

[Shnurek]

It's also an hour away from Portland aka civilization, I would feel isolated.

With this attitude/preference you will not be very successful as an OD unless you are amazingly attractive, have a great personality and have great business skills.

 

[janedoe88]

With this attitude/preference you will not be very successful as an OD unless you are amazingly attractive, have a great personality and have great business skills.

Good thing I have all three 😉

I'm either going to Western or SCCO- I'm a city girl 🙂

 

[Shnurek]

I'm either going to Western or SCCO- I'm a city girl 🙂

Ya and so are half of all current opto students 😉 You'll have lots of competition and some people are taking jobs at 65k in southern cali. Be forewarned.Go to SCCO if you must. Its better than Western.

 

[love4eyes]

Good thing I have all three 😉

I'm either going to Western or SCCO- I'm a city girl 🙂

Janedoe88, you got accepted to SCCO? Yey, that's awesome! Congratulation. I guess NP is out of the picture, correct? 👍

Back to the topic. Optoapp2012 made some great points. I am taking note of it as well. As of now, my main criteria is accreditation of the institution, reputation of the clinical, and the tuition.

 

[janedoe88]

hahaha yes I am definitely going to be an OD!!! (Plus I don't think I could have been a nurse anyways) thanks 😀

 

[love4eyes]

hahaha yes I am definitely going to be an OD!!! (Plus I don't think I could have been a nurse anyways) thanks 😀

I'm happy for you, Janedoe88! Yey, celebration time.

 

[janedoe88]

I'm happy for you, Janedoe88! Yey, celebration time.

w00t! 🙂

 

[QueenieCSS]

I don't think prioritizing new technology over old is a good idea actually. I used to feel that way too, and got all wowed about the automatic phoropters and all that jazz. But the reality is that you are highly unlikely to be using those in any practice right out of school - whether private or commercial. So it's probably a better idea to get the majority of your experience on the commonly used technology since that's what you will be using after graduation. That's not to say that the new stuff isn't important to be exposed to - I think exposure to it is the only way you would ever feel comfortable incorporating it into your practice. I think all the schools have a wide range of new and old stuff, except some of the newer schools that only have new things (maybe 1-2 of the old). Most schools have a wide array of fundus cameras, etc. So I think it's much more important to prioritize *breadth* of exposure to technology rather than just old vs. new.

I completely agree with this - when I first started we didn't have the automated phoropters and I thought I was going to be totally lost when I got out in the real world. Now, half of our practice lanes have the automated ones so we really learn how to use them. And not only do the new classes learn how to use them but they are tested on it for proficiencies too.

They aren't too hard to learn, nor do they take too long to pick up on. I am glad I learned how but I have to be honest, I don't want any in my practice when I graduate. Give me the rest of the technology goodies - the new OCT, Fundus cameras, computer VA charts, etc - but you can keep your automated phoropter. But - I am glad I learned, just in case I end up at a rotation or practice that has them.