ICO Class of 2010

[ski2bOD]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I know someone started a thread for the entering class of 2010 but it seems to be out of the forum. So I thought I'd start a new one.

My name is Ben, I am from Anchorage, Alaska. I went to the University of Nevada on a Skiing scholarship. I earned a degree in Biochemistry last spring. I am currently living in Denver, CO and trying to get as many days skiing in as I can. I'll miss not having mountains in Chicago but I am hoping that living in a big city will have its perks. I loved everything about ICO when I interviewed. They presented the school very well and made you feel that they will be there for what ever you need on your journey to becoming an optometrist. I am looking forward to starting up in the fall and I look forward to meeting my new classmates.

Cheers!

 

[rpames]

Wow! You sure seem excited. Welcome to the ICO family. I'll be a 4th year when you start so we probably won't cross paths much, but I hope to see you around.

Congrats on getting in.

 

[sparikh]

I had started the thread a month ago but I we can do it again. My name is Sonny Parikh and I live in the surburbs of Chicago. I went to school in chicago and am graduating in May. I also want to meet some of my classmates! Are you living on campus?

 

[pre_opt_sku]

My name is Sharla and I go to the University of Regina and got my chemistry degree last year. I'm not sure if I'll be going to ICO, but I look forward to meeting you all if I do!

 

[ski2bOD]

I had started the thread a month ago but I we can do it again. My name is Sonny Parikh and I live in the surburbs of Chicago. I went to school in chicago and am graduating in May. I also want to meet some of my classmates! Are you living on campus?

yes, i think i will be living on campus. can't beat the price and conveince for the first year, and i figure it'll help me get back to school mode.

 

[LooshOTH]

Is anyone planning on NOT living on campus? If so, where do you plan on living?

 

[in_translation]

Is anyone planning on NOT living on campus? If so, where do you plan on living?

Nice (although expensive) places, if you're looking off campus, are the Hyde Park and South Loop areas.

 

[prettygreeneyes]

Hi! My name is Brittany. I'm a senior at UNR majoring in Biology. I will finally graduate in May!!! 😀 I may be attending ICO... I was accepted in November but am still applying to Pacific and SCO, so we'll see. If I do go to ICO, I will be living off campus. My husband and I actually hope to buy a house... but I have no idea what home prices are like in the suburbs around Chicago! Anyone have any experience with homeownership in Chicago... or know of anyone who does???? At the very least, we have a dog, so we have to find somewhere that allows pets! Boy it would be great if the dorms didn't mind that I have a husband and a dog... don't know how my suitemates would like that though...

 

[rpames]

It is nearly impossible to find even a town house in the area that is worth living in for less then 200k. I have a friend who got a townhouse for about 190k. It is pretty nice. The problem with some places is that they are so far away. I have some classmates who drive up to 1.5 hrs to get to school sometimes, that is not worth it to me. But to answer your question, your are looking at about 200k for an adequate place with a very small yard.

 

[prettygreeneyes]

It is nearly impossible to find even a town house in the area that is worth living in for less then 200k. I have a friend who got a townhouse for about 190k. It is pretty nice. The problem with some places is that they are so far away. I have some classmates who drive up to 1.5 hrs to get to school sometimes, that is not worth it to me. But to answer your question, your are looking at about 200k for an adequate place with a very small yard.

😱 😱 That sounds like the housing market in Reno, NV. $200,000 is barely enough to buy you a shack! Thanks for your reply!

 

[IceNine]

IceNine here, from Mississauga, Ontario and whose true identity willl remain unknown. Although, I can tell you that my nick name is from a book in the 60's called 'Cat's Cradle' by K.Vonnegut.

ICO was a one shot deal for me. It was either ICO or a life as a mediocre scientist/unsuccessful writer. But, seeing as how the two prime movers in life happen to be luck and time I guess I was one of the fortunte ones.

On that note, all the best to the entering class of 2006!

 

[ski2bOD]

😱 😱 That sounds like the housing market in Reno, NV. $200,000 is barely enough to buy you a shack! Thanks for your reply!

looking forward to having a fellow Wolfpack fan at ICO!

 

[prettygreeneyes]

looking forward to having a fellow Wolfpack fan at ICO!

Likewise... glad to hear you chose ICO! Just curious... why ICO over SUNY (I think I read that somewhere?) You were a bch major right? You must know Dr. Blomquist... he's awesome! GO PACK!!!!! 😎

 

[eye-c-u]

I know someone started a thread for the entering class of 2010 but it seems to be out of the forum. So I thought I'd start a new one.

My name is Ben, I am from Anchorage, Alaska. I went to the University of Nevada on a Skiing scholarship. I earned a degree in Biochemistry last spring. I am currently living in Denver, CO and trying to get as many days skiing in as I can. I'll miss not having mountains in Chicago but I am hoping that living in a big city will have its perks. I loved everything about ICO when I interviewed. They presented the school very well and made you feel that they will be there for what ever you need on your journey to becoming an optometrist. I am looking forward to starting up in the fall and I look forward to meeting my new classmates.

Cheers!

Hello Ben, Congrats on your acceptance. I just signed up on this site. I was hoping to get some advice on ICO's interview. Basically more on what types of questions they asked? and how long did it take to hear back from them?? This is my first interview; i have two interviews on the same weekend!! Any words of advice??

 

[pre_opt_sku]

Hello Ben, Congrats on your acceptance. I just signed up on this site. I was hoping to get some advice on ICO's interview. Basically more on what types of questions they asked? and how long did it take to hear back from them?? This is my first interview; i have two interviews on the same weekend!! Any words of advice??

There is an ICO interview thread http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=231698
Also look through the interview feedback sticky. Good Luck.

 

[ski2bOD]

Likewise... glad to hear you chose ICO! Just curious... why ICO over SUNY (I think I read that somewhere?) You were a bch major right? You must know Dr. Blomquist... he's awesome! GO PACK!!!!! 😎

I was a BCH major, Dr Blomquist was my thesis advisor, so i know him pretty well. He is super nice and a really smart guy. I liked ICO better than SUNY for a couple of reasons. First, SUNY seemed super competitive between classmates. I didnt get that feeling at ICO, everyone seemed to be really supportive of each other and I liked that. Also SUNY is located in the middle of Manhattan, which means mucho $$$ to live. I figured that even though the tution is less at SUNY the cost of living would make it comparable to ICO. I was more impressed with ICO's clinic too. The one thing that I really liked about SUNY was their board pass rates (90%ish), but I figure that as long as I study and do well in classes that shouldnt be a problem.

 

[pre_opt_sku]

IceNine here, from Mississauga, Ontario and whose true identity willl remain unknown. Although, I can tell you that my nick name is from a book in the 60's called 'Cat's Cradle' by K.Vonnegut.

ICO was a one shot deal for me. It was either ICO or a life as a mediocre scientist/unsuccessful writer. But, seeing as how the two prime movers in life happen to be luck and time I guess I was one of the fortunte ones.

On that note, all the best to the entering class of 2006!

Hooray for a fellow Canadian!

 

[ski2bOD]

Hello Ben, Congrats on your acceptance. I just signed up on this site. I was hoping to get some advice on ICO's interview. Basically more on what types of questions they asked? and how long did it take to hear back from them?? This is my first interview; i have two interviews on the same weekend!! Any words of advice??

Thanks! ICO's interview is more fun than stressful. They make you feel very welcome and present their program very well. The actual interview is one on one which (at least mine) was very laid back. It was more conversational than anything, I think the professor that interviewed me talked more than I did! Anyways, I think that asking questions about is important, not only to learn more about what you are looking in a program but to show tham that you are interested and have knowledge about the prefession and what you are getting yourself into.

I prepared for the interview by looking at some on the questions people posted in the interview thread at the top of the forum. I wrote down my answers to the questions and just looked over them and kind of talked them out loud. Basiclly just be yourself and you cant go wrong. They got back to me within a week (a very long week ;-)

good luck!

 

[eye-c-u]

Thanks! ICO's interview is more fun than stressful. They make you feel very welcome and present their program very well. The actual interview is one on one which (at least mine) was very laid back. It was more conversational than anything, I think the professor that interviewed me talked more than I did! Anyways, I think that asking questions about is important, not only to learn more about what you are looking in a program but to show tham that you are interested and have knowledge about the prefession and what you are getting yourself into.

I prepared for the interview by looking at some on the questions people posted in the interview thread at the top of the forum. I wrote down my answers to the questions and just looked over them and kind of talked them out loud. Basiclly just be yourself and you cant go wrong. They got back to me within a week (a very long week ;-)

good luck!

Thank you for the advice, I'll let you know how it goes and if I'm going to be one of your new classmates.

 

[achino2]

Hello fellow-future-ICO'ers! My name is Pete Chinosornvatana, I am 21 and I'm from Skokie (a suburb of Chicago, only 20 mins away!). I currently go to University of Illinois of Chicago and am a Biology major. I am actually friends with Sonny (sparikh), and we're currently roommates (338!) and will both be attending ICO this coming Fall! Hope to meet some of you!

 

[in_translation]

The one thing that I really liked about SUNY was their board pass rates (90%ish), but I figure that as long as I study and do well in classes that shouldnt be a problem.

You should be fine at ICO with boards as well - their parts II and III are well above 90% pass, and their part I is 80%, which is 8% above the national average.