ICO vs. Western

[cheno]

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Yes, another one of these..
So I've been accepted to ICO and Western for the class of 2018. I really like both schools but I need to make a decision ASAP.
It’s nice how Western has a smaller class so it’s easier to get know the other students and faculty and it would be easier to get used to living there and network in the area since I’m from California too. Professionally, I've always been interested in Asian/Chinese american health issues and promoting health awareness, so being in CA would probably allow me to get involved in the community that way more than Chicago? (please help correct or guide me in the right direction if there are an asian-american health/community volunteering in Chicago too)
But, I really liked ICO when I went there. The faculty seem nice and even though the class size is larger, that means there’s more diversity... and it's in a big city, Chicago, where there will be a lot diverse patients and many disease cases. Personally, I’ve always wanted to live on the opposite coast for a couple years so weather isn't a deal breaker. (I'm more concerned about fitting in with with the culture). I just don’t know if it’s worth throwing away the chance to attend an established school to go to Western.
I know there may be some stigma about attending a new school. At the same time, it seems like Western has some things going and it's doing something different with the whole vision rehab specialty....
How much would graduating from a more established institution play a factor in employment or for applying to residencies?
thank you for reading!

 

[Patluq]

Yes, another one of these..
So I've been accepted to ICO and Western for the class of 2018. I really like both schools but I need to make a decision ASAP.
It’s nice how Western has a smaller class so it’s easier to get know the other students and faculty and it would be easier to get used to living there and network in the area since I’m from California too. Professionally, I've always been interested in Asian/Chinese american health issues and promoting health awareness, so being in CA would probably allow me to get involved in the community that way more than Chicago? (please help correct or guide me in the right direction if there are an asian-american health/community volunteering in Chicago too)
But, I really liked ICO when I went there. The faculty seem nice and even though the class size is larger, that means there’s more diversity... and it's in a big city, Chicago, where there will be a lot diverse patients and many disease cases. Personally, I’ve always wanted to live on the opposite coast for a couple years so weather isn't a deal breaker. (I'm more concerned about fitting in with with the culture). I just don’t know if it’s worth throwing away the chance to attend an established school to go to Western.
I know there may be some stigma about attending a new school. At the same time, it seems like Western has some things going and it's doing something different with the whole vision rehab specialty....
How much would graduating from a more established institution play a factor in employment or for applying to residencies?
thank you for reading!.

Ive lived in chicago and Southern California and i can tell you that the asian american culture is very limited in chicago, let alone other cities in the midwest. Also ICO will feel like undergrad with class size so just think about if you prefer that or smaller groups. In all, culture is something southern california is known for so if thats your main thing western isnt a bad school

 

[iSeeNary]

I've asked several professionals for their opinions because I was pretty much in the EXACT same situation (I'm also from Cali). ALL voted that I go to ICO instead of Western without hesitation. Feel free to PM me if you want to know their specific reasons. But it's pretty much the reasons I'm sure both you and I already know. For me, it was reassuring to hear it from someone else.

 

[OpticalBlackOut]

Ive lived in chicago and Southern California and i can tell you that the asian american culture is very limited in chicago, let alone other cities in the midwest. Also ICO will feel like undergrad with class size so just think about if you prefer that or smaller groups. In all, culture is something southern california is known for so if thats your main thing western isnt a bad school.

Disagreed. Did you know that ICO is 10 minutes away from Chicago's Chinatown? Did you know that ICO's clinic works with underprivileged patients (including Chinese patients that cannot afford to pay for an exam) with the Chinatown Cultural Center to sign up these patients with Chinese speaking students...as translators & provider of exams?
Yes, Illinois is not the same as California, but there are still plenty of opportunities for volunteer work.

Also, 160 is undergrad size?

 

[Patluq]

Disagreed. Did you know that ICO is 10 minutes away from Chicago's Chinatown? Did you know that ICO's clinic works with underprivileged patients (including Chinese patients that cannot afford to pay for an exam) with the Chinatown Cultural Center to sign up these patients with Chinese speaking students...as translators & provider of exams?
Yes, Illinois is not the same as California, but there are still plenty of opportunities for volunteer work.

Also, 160 is undergrad size?.

Hmm i guess I forgot about the downtown so that makes sense. The orange county area, not too far from Western, does have a huge Asian population so that would help but it definitely doesn't outweigh what ICO is as a school.

 

[cheno]

Disagreed. Did you know that ICO is 10 minutes away from Chicago's Chinatown? Did you know that ICO's clinic works with underprivileged patients (including Chinese patients that cannot afford to pay for an exam) with the Chinatown Cultural Center to sign up these patients with Chinese speaking students...as translators & provider of exams?

Just wondering, do you know what specific ICO programs work with places like the Chinatown center? Is is an organization that students can work with, or is it part of the service learning curriculum hours or an externship rotation? Do you know about how many students at ICO participate in these type of programs/how are they chosen to participate?

 

[Rain Clouds]

Congrats on your acceptances! Just want to comment on a couple of things...

There is no problem getting to know other students and faculty at ICO. You get to know everyone very well. 🙂 In undergrad, everyone's taking different classes at different times in different buildings and living in different places. ICO is one of the largest optometry schools, but it's a private school with no other programs. You're with your class and faculty ALL the time. It becomes a small world very quickly.

Next consider that ICO has hundreds of alumni actively practicing in California. Literally, hundreds. (WUCO is graduating it's second class this year) Being in California might have a tangible benefit if you're actively taking the time to work with doctors, but going to ICO isn't gonna separate you as much from Californian doctors as you might think.

Sure, you probably will be able to get involved with more Asian healthcare issues on the West Coast. How important is that to you, though? One great thing about separating yourself from your usual environment for three or four years is that you can experience different places with different needs, where there are different ways to take action. Chicago has a great Chinese community that is growing and still finding its identity in Chinatown. And so here's an idea, if you decide to go to ICO and there isn't as much involvement with the Chinese community as you hoped, then do something about it! Being a student who sets up vision screenings and awareness events and campaigns will set you apart.

As far as fitting in goes, one thing you learn quickly about Chicago is that the city proper is mostly made of folks that aren't from Chicago. It's a city of expats, where a usual greeting is "Where you originally from?" since more often than not, your typical Chicagoan isn't actually from Chicago. Especially in the academic community.

I can tell you that if you decide to go to ICO, at the very least, you won't regret the quality of your education or the diversity of your clinical experience.

Best of luck on your decision, and if you come to ICO, see you next year!

 

[Rain Clouds]

Just wondering, do you know what specific ICO programs work with places like the Chinatown center? Is is an organization that students can work with, or is it part of the service learning curriculum hours or an externship rotation? Do you know about how many students at ICO participate in these type of programs/how are they chosen to participate?

I haven't heard of that specific program that the other poster was talking about, but I could look into it. We do get a fair number of Chinese patients at the clinic.

 

[mathcod]

Definitely choose ICO if the alternative is Western. No question. There is Chinatown to volunteer in if it is that important. Like many volunteer opportunities at the school (which you'll receive plethera of emails begging for volunteers), they are usually spear-headed projects from involved faculty who just need more helpers, but you can always ask to get more involved. Former faculty Dr Lee volunteers extensively in Chinatown, you can always contact him if it floats your boat.

"Congratulations to ICO's Dr. David Lee on receiving the 2012 Community Service Award from the Asian American Coalition of Chicago. Dr. Lee and the coalition's other award recipients were honored at the 29th annual Lunar New Year Celebration this past weekend. The entire ICO community is very proud of Dr. Lee!" He also won a lifetime achievement award and worked with the chicago PD if memory serves me right.