How do I tell if a program is good/competitive?

[katii]

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Hi all, I'm very new to optometry, having only discovered it as a potential career last week. Many aspects of the profession appeal to me (autonomy, good work-life balance, etc), and I'd really like to apply this year in the 2013-2014 cycle.

My question is, seeing how there are only 21 programs in the country, how do you tell if a program is particularly good or competitive or rigorous? As far as I know there is no official "ranking" of the schools, so are there ones that are particularly good or hard to get in vs others? Or is it more about personal fit?

Thanks!!

 

[OhhDee]

Hi all, I'm very new to optometry, having only discovered it as a potential career last week. Many aspects of the profession appeal to me (autonomy, good work-life balance, etc), and I'd really like to apply this year in the 2013-2014 cycle.

My question is, seeing how there are only 21 programs in the country, how do you tell if a program is particularly good or competitive or rigorous? As far as I know there is no official "ranking" of the schools, so are there ones that are particularly good or hard to get in vs others? Or is it more about personal fit?

Thanks!!

No, there is no official ranking. In general, it is recommended to stay away from the newer, less proven schools. Some seem to be doing better than others though, so I can't say they are all bad. Other than that it is just where you feel the best fit- facilities, location, weather, etc..

http://www.opted.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Profile_of_the_Entering_Class_2012.pdf

^^That link of stats on last years entering classes could be used to form some sort of ranking and should give you an idea which programs are tougher to get into.

 

[Commando303]

Hi all, I'm very new to optometry, having only discovered it as a potential career last week. Many aspects of the profession appeal to me (autonomy, good work-life balance, etc), and I'd really like to apply this year in the 2013-2014 cycle.

My question is, seeing how there are only 21 programs in the country, how do you tell if a program is particularly good or competitive or rigorous? As far as I know there is no official "ranking" of the schools, so are there ones that are particularly good or hard to get in vs others? Or is it more about personal fit?

Thanks!!

Not that it's the only thing (or close to it) that comprises the quality of a school's program, but one common denominator among the optometry colleges is the N.B.E.O. exams — the national examinations all their students must take.

Perhaps it is a good idea to contact the colleges in which you are interested, and ask for their first-time (not overall) N.B.E.O. pass-rates for the past five years (i.e., for each of the three parts of the examination). I don't know every college will honor this request, but even refusals might lend to you pertinent information.

Best of luck.

 

[tkuhug]

I would also ask for employment rates from schools.