NECO vs. SUNY

[youngn]

Ok people, so I'm having the toughest time ever deciding which school I want to go to. I've been accepted to both NECO and SUNY and I'm absolutely 50/50 right now. I have 15 days to decide, so time is a factor. I love both Boston and NYC. Boston seems to fit my personality more, but I've always wanted the experience of living in NYC and now seems to be the best time to do it! I need something to sway me. Biased opinions, objective opinions, any concrete reason I should choose one over the other would be great. Please nothing along the lines "I just love SUNY" or "NECO had a sweet vibe" because that's less than helpful, and that's all I really have read on these forums so far. I really would also like input as to which school has a better reputation. Here's what I've noticed as positives so far:

NECO:
Pros...
1. Early clinical exposure. They hyped this up a lot at the interview, and I would consider it to be a major advantage as well.
2. The outreach they do with the whole city as well as internationally seemed outsanding.
3. College seemed to be focused on everybody helping each other out.
4. I loved the laid back feel with a cafe in the lower level and the projection of lecture on the wall downstairs
Cons...
1. Bad reputation from the scandal a few years ago (clarification on this would be appreciated)
2. Classrooms / Labs seemed smaller and cramped (and maybe it's my inexperience, but the equipment seemed older compared to SUNY as well. Is this true?).
3. Apparently they have low board pass rates on average?

SUNY:
Pros...
1. Better stats of incoming classes than NECO. I think this says a lot about the school. Better scores = better school?
2. Cheaper for me since I can apply for in-state tuition after the first year
3. The entire college / clinic was in one building, which seems vey convenient and I loved the atmosphere of the enormous amounts of Optometrists working at once on a floor.
4. Higher than average board pass rates I believe
Cons...
1. People at SUNY did not seem as friendly as at NECO and I've read that the feel is more "cut-throat."
2. Wasn't as impressed with clinical exposure (clarification here would be great)
3. Student facilities seemed to be lacking compared to NECO (gym, lounge, etc.)

All of these points are my current perceptions, and I am glad to be corrected! I really am just looking for the best education, clinical exposure, and experience (which are pretty standard expectations I know). Any feedback is appreciated!!

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[optomgirl578]

I would also like to hear what others think about NECO. I've thought about the pros/cons as well, and my list is pretty much the same as the one posted above. I have <15 days before I need to make a decision about NECO, so any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[paranoiahectic]

New york is new york...most of us NewYorkers are reserved and unfriendly! haha. I went for the interview at SUNY, I personally liked the new gym and new lounge..maybe the fresh scent of recent renovation. The board scores, tuition, and location (im from NY) would be what I'd chose it for...but then the housing is a problem..you can live in Manhattan for around 1200-1400$ with roommates and it gets more expensive depending on how close you want to live to the school. Then you can also live in Queens...which you can take train for 15mins travel..and run into not so cool people on the way...everyday. lol. Anyway that was my turnoff...the housing (so was the clinic). i dont like to commute.

 

[fLuxe]

I don't really think reputation matters for optometry schools excluding the newer, unaccredited ones. Just pick the school that feels right for you and has the things that are most important to you (board scores, clinical experience, distance from home etc). In my experience, people already kind of know where they'd rather go and are looking for someone to validate their thoughts.

Also, if you liked Boston better but want to try living in NYC, maybe see if NECO offers a 4th year externship there. Just a thought.

 

[youngn]

Hmmmmm looking into the externships is a really good idea! I'll call them today. And yes, I definitely am looking for validation, because this is going to be the next four years of my life and I want to make sure I am making the right decision...

How do people feel about NECO and the cheating incident that happened a few years ago? Did that ruin their reputation or just simply provide a slight bump in the road for them? I wanted to ask in the interview but I felt like that would be a little inappropriate...

 

[Optedirectioned]

Unless you are very wealthy, I would say go to the place that is cheaper. In your case, I think SUNY would be cheaper because you can apply for in-state tuition after your first year. All schools train you properly and prepare you as an optometrist. So unless there is something that you REALLY don't like about SUNY, I would suggest you go to SUNY. Less debt when you graduate in 4 years gives you more freedom with what you want to do with your life.

 

[Eye Doc 2000]

I'm sorry you didn't get the warm fuzzies at SUNY. As another poster intimated, New Yorkers seem to be all business. Come to SUNY and you will be, too! It is related to a large number of tourists milling around and not understanding that the rest of us are trying to get to work, etc. Trust me. I came to New York from down south. I found people to be generally friendly and helpful. SUNY supports her students. There is a fanstasic dean of students there, Dr. Philpott.

Clinical exposure is key in your education. SUNY is a clinical machine. All types of patients, all types of eyes, and plenty of them. SUNY students often say they chose SUNY because of the clinical exposure. SUNY routinely posts some of the highest boards passage rates in the country. Part of that is because by the time you get to the practical part of the NBEO all the exam procedures are second nature. You've done them like a billion times already.

School reputation IS important, especially if you plan to pursure an optmetric residency. New York's laws for optometric scope aren't great (no orals or injectables) but they are at least better than Massachusetts. Also, SUNY is not looking to merge with another school that hasn't even opened yet. You might want to do a Google on that before you make a decision.

 

[OD 2 BE]

I'm sorry you didn't get the warm fuzzies at SUNY. As another poster intimated, New Yorkers seem to be all business. Come to SUNY and you will be, too! It is related to a large number of tourists milling around and not understanding that the rest of us are trying to get to work, etc. Trust me. I came to New York from down south. I found people to be generally friendly and helpful. SUNY supports her students. There is a fanstasic dean of students there, Dr. Philpott.

Clinical exposure is key in your education. SUNY is a clinical machine. All types of patients, all types of eyes, and plenty of them. SUNY students often say they chose SUNY because of the clinical exposure. SUNY routinely posts some of the highest boards passage rates in the country. Part of that is because by the time you get to the practical part of the NBEO all the exam procedures are second nature. You've done them like a billion times already.

School reputation IS important, especially if you plan to pursure an optmetric residency. New York's laws for optometric scope aren't great (no orals or injectables) but they are at least better than Massachusetts. Also, SUNY is not looking to merge with another school that hasn't even opened yet. You might want to do a Google on that before you make a decision.

Just wanted to clarify something, NECO and MCPHS are no longer forming a merger. I received an email a few weeks ago from neco that said its no longee happening.

 

[Digitalized]

Hmmmmm looking into the externships is a really good idea! I'll call them today. And yes, I definitely am looking for validation, because this is going to be the next four years of my life and I want to make sure I am making the right decision...

How do people feel about NECO and the cheating incident that happened a few years ago? Did that ruin their reputation or just simply provide a slight bump in the road for them? I wanted to ask in the interview but I felt like that would be a little inappropriate...

You're about to pay them in the six figures for their product. Keep in mind that you're the customer. If they're going to be evasive about a scandal, then that speaks for quality and integrity. One of my greatest wishes for students in general is that we eventually join together to remind schools that we are the ones paying and that they are service providers for us. I'm pretty sure it would instantly cut about 50% of the BS if there were more unity.

 

[log88]

All I want to say regarding your decision is that even if SUNY might be cheaper then NECO, tuition wise, you have to think about living costs in NYC and in Boston. I live in Boston right now and I went to NYC for the weekend. A regular dinner in Boston costs me $30 to $40. It costs $50-$60 in NYC. Overall, it will cost the same after 4 years, with Suny's tuition being cheaper. So if finances is in your mind, I think its a tie between both schools. Also, I think NYC can get very overwhelming.