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Which school would you pick as a Chicago resident? And why?
Ico vs Sco
- Thread starter Iwantobe0D
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As a current student at SCO, this may be a bit biased but I wanted to give you some info on why I chose SCO. I am also from Chicago and was deciding between SCO and ICO when I applied to optometry school. They are both very good schools so it is a hard choice. The first bit of advice if you have not already done so is to visit both schools. I think that is a good way to get an idea of what it would be like as a student there. I knew I wanted to go to SCO once I visited because it had a "family" feel to it and I knew I would get the support I needed during the stressful (yet fun and exciting) years of optometry school. I also really liked SCO's campus- it has beautiful clinical facilities and lecture halls. Now that I am a student at SCO, there are more and more reasons why I love SCO. The class size is on the larger side in comparison to other schools out there and it has been nice to work with and learn from so many of my classmates who come from all over the country and all different backgrounds. With that being said, you still have so many opportunities to meet with and talk with professors and staff doctors to work more one on one if you need to discuss any class topics or clinical questions. I also like the clinic size at SCO- both in space as well as the volume of patients we see. SCO takes many types of vision and medical insurances to make sure we can see as many patients as possible, so I am learning so much in clinic seeing my own patients. Besides classes and clinic, there are so many clubs to get involved with and opportunities to give back to SCO and the Memphis community.
This is a hard decision to make and both schools are top notch- I think you need to think about what school kind of fits with what you are looking for. Before moving to Memphis, I had lived in Chicago for most of my life and I plan to return there when I am done. But I have really enjoyed these last couple of years living in a new city and experiencing something different. There are so many things to do in Memphis- good food, good music, sporting events, walking/biking trails, musicals/plays and so much more.
Feel free to ask any more questions (and sorry for the long post!)
This is a hard decision to make and both schools are top notch- I think you need to think about what school kind of fits with what you are looking for. Before moving to Memphis, I had lived in Chicago for most of my life and I plan to return there when I am done. But I have really enjoyed these last couple of years living in a new city and experiencing something different. There are so many things to do in Memphis- good food, good music, sporting events, walking/biking trails, musicals/plays and so much more.
Feel free to ask any more questions (and sorry for the long post!)
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Thanks for the input!
Hi opto19! I really appreciate your input. I have a few questions, I'll post them here so others can benefit from the response.
I've been extended an interview to SCO, and it's one of my top schools! At this point, what are my chances of getting in? Since the interview is closed file, I guess they just want to get to know the applicant better. Do you have any interview tips? From what I've heard, the interview is pretty chill.
I know the school is located in an older area, but where do most of the students live? What is the average commute like? I would like to check out some of the areas students live in when I come to Memphis & I'm trying to get an idea of where the nicer apartments are located. Do you think a 30 minute commute is excessive?
Thank you so much!
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A lot of students live on Mud Island. 15 minute commute. Check it out and ask the students during your interview day where they recommend.
Congrats on your interview at SCO and I'm glad to hear it is one of your top schools. I'm not sure how many spots have already been claimed this interview cycle, but in the past, interviews were conducted even through February of the spring semester so I would think your chances of getting in now would be good. The interview is really to get to know the applicant better- they have your personal statement but they want to hear from you personally why you are interested in school and how you have prepared. It is very relaxed so try not to stress too much! Just be yourself because that is all they really want to see. Also be prepared to ask any questions you have because your interviewer is the perfect person to ask.
Most students live on Mud Island like the previous person said. It has several different apartment complexes and students from other schools live here too. I have lived on Mud Island for the last 2.5 years and I have really enjoyed being close to friends and you are right on the Mississippi River so there are beautiful walking/biking paths close by. It's about a 10-15 minute commute to SCO. Other places students live are Midtown (which is very close to school- maybe like 5 minutes depending on the exact location) and some live out in the suburbs around Memphis usually in houses (that would be about a 30 minute commute or so). I don't think 30 minutes is excessive but I would say it is nice that I live pretty close because it makes the commute to school to study on my own time or to go in and practice in the lab very manageable.
I hope that helps! Let me know if you have anymore questions!
