NOVA help???

[BearDown06]

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Hey everyone, I have recently been accepted to ICO and should hear from NOVA anyday. I am going to have a hard time deciding if I get into NOVA because I absolutely loved the school when I interviewed, but ICO is a great school and close to home.

Will NOVA prepare you for Board III and not just the Florida Board?

How is having dental students in the same science classes as the optometry students? Is the info learned still tied into the optometry field?

How is the clinical education at NOVA? When do you first get exposure to the clinical settings?

Any other info about NOVA would be great. As I said, NOVA was a great campus when I visited and everyone went out of their way to make it feel like home. I just want to make sure that I choose the right program for myself.

I know going to any optometry school will get you the proverbial "OD" tag, but with NOVA being such a new program and not as many alumni as other schools, is it still fairly easy to make contacts and find a job after graduation?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Docc99]

Haha like i said in the other post of yours, NOVA is becoming a pretty solid school. I heard this and that about them before I interviewed but I think they offer you a lot. The interdisciplinary classes are the basic sciences like biochem and micro. They are taught by medical doctors on the faculty there. I talked to the students that were down there and they seemed to like it. Also they have tests every monday. I liked that cuz it will help keep me focused. The clinic starts in the summer of before your third year. One first year told me that she could do an entire refraction already, after only two months of school. I feel that there curriculum is through and extensive and the clinical rotations and externship oppurtunities make them a hard school to pass up. However, it wouldn't hurt to consider a school closer to home to save up some money. I hope the info helps , GOOD LUCK

 

[flodstudent2009]

I'm a second year student at Nova and so far my experience at this school has been great. The clinical exposure begins in the first year via clinical observations and during the second year we go to schools/community centers/etc and perform vision screenings. Clinic begins after the spring semester of the second year. As for having dental students in the same class, we only have general science courses with them. The courses are not really geared to optometric or dental issues, it just covers the basics. All in all the only negative thing I can say about the school is the exam schedule. The Monday exams were implemented last year when I began school and for the most part it wasn't too bad. It, however, can be stressful and overwhelming when we have 2 exams on one day and another exam during the middle of the week which was pretty much the case both last semester and this semester thus far. Other than that, I'm enjoying my time here at Nova. Hope this helps. 🙂

 

[averatec]

Any advice on what NOVA particularly looks for? What should I emphasize on my essays?

 

[swiftiii]

Haha. Nova accepts every type of student. I think the key is to play up your strong points.

Seriously, I have talked to a lot of my classmates, and our applications were so varied. I know one guy that was rejected the first time with a 4.0 and another that got in with a 2.2 (though I don't know if anyone else is supposed to know that.) The first guy was just too conceited the first time around. The other one has a STRONG background in optics. As for myself, most people know I didn't get in by my grades. Be poised and positive in your essay. Show you have the brains and the determination to succeed in the profession, and you should be fine.

 

[keg601]

Haven't been on here since before I started school, but I thought I would throw a couple shoutouts to my school. I absolutely love Nova...I got into PCO & ICO, but am SO glad I chose the way I did...I'm sure you will learn a ton wherever you go, but after a couple of months in school I feel like I could confidently give the majority of an eye exam...The faculty here are awesome and while yes, biochem & microbio can get a little monotonous, classes like Optometric Theories & Methods and the Head & Neck Anatomy are taught by awesome professors who really want you to learn...The philosophy down here is that you made it, you got into school so help eachother become great optometrists! From what I hear the clinical experience here is great (although I've only really been observing so far) and I actually live with a dental student. Being surrounded by other health professionals is kind of fun, but doesn't play too much of a role in your education. The only class we've had so far with the dental students is basic anatomy. Okay...back to the books, finals in a week and a half!