ICO and UHCO are my top two choices. Can anyone list some pro/cons for either/both schools?
ICO vs. UHCO
- Thread starter pamin002
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I do not know much about UHCO because I did not apply there, but here are my thoughts on ICO:
Pros:
1) Facilities: The new "Eyepod" pre-clinical facilities are top-notch as is the Illinois Eye Institute.
2) Curriculum: More hands on, starting the first semester. It is a recent change to their curriculum, they get you in the lab your first semester.
3) Board Rates: ICO has had over 90% passing rates for all three parts the last several years. (http://www.ico.edu/admissions/faq/#passrate)
Cons:
1) Tuition: 30K/year. No in-state tuition. Cost of living in Chicago is HIGH.
2) Research: ICO is not a research school at all. This is a con only if you are interested in pursuing research.
3) Location: ICO is located in downtown Chicago, so the area is not the best, esp. at night. However, this is the case for many schools so it is not only unique for ICO. Being a closed campus really improves safety though, and I would recommend any first-year student to stay in the RC.
**Although, I have not visited UHCO, I have heard that is it very much into research (comparable to Berkeley) and that it's facilities are pretty nice!
Hope this helps!
Pros:
1) Facilities: The new "Eyepod" pre-clinical facilities are top-notch as is the Illinois Eye Institute.
2) Curriculum: More hands on, starting the first semester. It is a recent change to their curriculum, they get you in the lab your first semester.
3) Board Rates: ICO has had over 90% passing rates for all three parts the last several years. (http://www.ico.edu/admissions/faq/#passrate)
Cons:
1) Tuition: 30K/year. No in-state tuition. Cost of living in Chicago is HIGH.
2) Research: ICO is not a research school at all. This is a con only if you are interested in pursuing research.
3) Location: ICO is located in downtown Chicago, so the area is not the best, esp. at night. However, this is the case for many schools so it is not only unique for ICO. Being a closed campus really improves safety though, and I would recommend any first-year student to stay in the RC.
**Although, I have not visited UHCO, I have heard that is it very much into research (comparable to Berkeley) and that it's facilities are pretty nice!
Hope this helps!
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I visited/interviewed at UHCO, it's also where I will be attending.
Some of the facts I gathered were:
20k in state/30k out of state tuition (cost of living is lower than Chicago though)
They get you into clinicals sooner than other schools - 2nd semester of your sophomore year.
They are currently building a new research/eye care center, should be done in 2 years or so.
Like the above poster said, research-wise, they are pretty high up there, with only Berkeley and maybe 1-2 other schools with better research facilities.
They do not have a "placement program" for when you graduate.
UofH isn't in the best area of Houston, but it's such a large campus that going from the school to the parking, which is right next to the facility, a lot isn't that big of a deal. However, the place where most students live is about 5-10 minutes away and is in a much safer area of Houston - this area also has a lot of people our age living there as well as plenty of bars within walking distance (Thank god...).
Some of the facts I gathered were:
20k in state/30k out of state tuition (cost of living is lower than Chicago though)
They get you into clinicals sooner than other schools - 2nd semester of your sophomore year.
They are currently building a new research/eye care center, should be done in 2 years or so.
Like the above poster said, research-wise, they are pretty high up there, with only Berkeley and maybe 1-2 other schools with better research facilities.
They do not have a "placement program" for when you graduate.
UofH isn't in the best area of Houston, but it's such a large campus that going from the school to the parking, which is right next to the facility, a lot isn't that big of a deal. However, the place where most students live is about 5-10 minutes away and is in a much safer area of Houston - this area also has a lot of people our age living there as well as plenty of bars within walking distance (Thank god...).
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I'm a current 1st year at ICO, and i can tell you that there are research opportunities. not a whole lot, but there are. many of them want you to stay in chicago and commit your summer after first year towards working in that research lab.
