ICO or SCCO

[EyeEyeEye]

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I currently live in the Chicago land area. I have been accepted to both SCCO and ICO. I am having trouble making this decision. I have always wanted to live in California!

• ICO has a more diverse clinical experience, it is close to my home, and I eventually do want to practice in Illinois.
• SCCO has a really nice campus, higher NBEO pass rates, better education for vision therapy (which is something I may be interested in), but the scope of practice is still more limited than in other states.

How important is it to make connections with doctors in the first few years of Opt school in the area you want to eventually work in?
Should I go to ICO simply because I will network with doctors that I may work with in the future?

Please give me your opinion of the type of education and environment for each school! And if it were you, what would you choose!?
Thank you

 

[optsuker]

I've had students from both schools and think the education is equal.

ICO is the way to go if finances are a factor. Travel alone will add up over 4 years and you'll miss a lot fewer family events/emergencies.

Networking with area docs is a factor, but not a deal breaker. OD's in the area will be primarily ICO grads, & it may help get your foot in the door.

For lifestyle, there's no better campus than SCCO. Most events can be held outdoors, the neighborhood is safe at all hours, and the WEATHER!
If your looking for a little more adventure and are willing to pay for it, this might be a good choice.

 

[JeffChou]

I don't think the networking is a dealbreaker, but I know that there are many opportunities to network with local doctors in the midwest at ICO. Alumni weekends, different speakers, local organizations, and a career center with many local alumni contacts(very numerous because of the sheer size and age of the school).

As for NBEO pass rates, ICOs are listed here: http://www.ico.edu/admissions/faq/#passrate. I don't know what SCCOs are, but I wouldn't take weigh my decision heavily on the NBEO results. Whatever school you go to should prepare you well enough.

It really is a personal decision. See where you want to go for the next four years. I would really consider cost if it makes any difference. You will probably need a car at SCCO, but the weather will be great all year (relative to Chicago). I wanted to live in another city so I left that part of town for Chicago.

 

[jefguth]

better education for vision therapy

I would question that statement. Now I don't know much about the program at SCCO, but I do know that if you do your peds/BC rotation at ICO you will get all the vision therapy you can stand. 😀

 

[Penguin2012]

It is likely that the education is similar. Make your decision on where you want to live the next 4 years, and not NBEO scores or perceived VT education.

I go to SCCO. The weather is beautiful and the area is very safe. The facilities are fantastic and there's always plenty to do in southern California whether you like to party or enjoy throwing a frisbee outdoors in the middle of winter (because it doesn't get very cold ever).