Opting for MCPHS over other schools

[ScramblerPpm]

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I am looking for thoughts on enrolling in the MCPHS optometry program over other accredited programs. I've been accepted at PCO and SUNY but I really can't see myself living in either city for 4 years. Worcester seems safer and more fitting for me as far as the city goes. Also it is closer to home. MCPHS is granted preliminary accreditation and based off of the success of their other programs, I feel like this school will be in the higher ranks once it becomes more established down the road. I know it is a gamble going to a school that is currently unaccredited, but it is almost guaranteed accreditation unless something goes terribly wrong. Any thoughts on enrolling in this program over others?

 

[Blondiechick919]

You would be a HUMONGOUS

 

[Blondiechick919]

Idiot to go to MCPHS over SUNY. Just my opinion obviously, but I feel like a lot of people would agree. Not because it's closer or for accreditation status, but their clinic is crap compared to SUNY or PCO and they have to "share" patients with NECO.

 

[OhhDee]

If you think you would be totally miserable in other, bigger cities, than I think you would have to consider it because that could have a negative effect on your academic performance.

 

[ScramblerPpm]

Idiot to go to MCPHS over SUNY. Just my opinion obviously, but I feel like a lot of people would agree. Not because it's closer or for accreditation status, but their clinic is crap compared to SUNY or PCO and they have to "share" patients with NECO.

How do you know that their clinic is crap? Also, NECO is an hour east so I don't believe they necessarily share patients. Just because they're new doesn't mean their clinic is bad. I would love to hear your reasoning if you has any insight into their clinic that I don't.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved the clinic at PCO, but if I could take PCO's institute with SUNY's curriculum and stick it in Worcster, I would be happy. But what it comes down to is where do I feel comfortable living for the next 4 years.

 

[Jason K]

I am looking for thoughts on enrolling in the MCPHS optometry program over other accredited programs. I've been accepted at PCO and SUNY but I really can't see myself living in either city for 4 years. Worcester seems safer and more fitting for me as far as the city goes. Also it is closer to home.

Your biggest problem is that, after going to any OD program, you're likely going to have to move far, far away from home, in order to find work to support yourself. If you are not ok with living away from a particular city, I would be very careful about signing on for a $200K OD degree.

 

[ScramblerPpm]

Your biggest problem is that, after going to any OD program, you're likely going to have to move far, far away from home, in order to find work to support yourself. If you are not ok with living away from a particular city, I would be very careful about signing on for a $200K OD degree.

Closer to home isn't my concern, it's just a plus. I don't mind living far away for work, nor is that necessarily true that I will have to.

 

[ScramblerPpm]

Maybe if I formulate this into a formal question...

We all take the same boards in the end, how important is what school you graduate from vs. how well you did on the boards determine job possibilities?

 

[PinkCupcake]

You'll be better off in an accredited program over an unaccredited one. Established programs have curriculum down to a science and know exactly what to teach at each stage of your education to give you the best chance possible to pass boards. New programs will need time to get to this point and from what I have read about the new schools they are struggling with the curriculum (both in the classroom and in the clinic). Plus, accreditation is never a guarantee (no matter what mcphs admissions people told you). Go with the sure bet and pick SUNY or PCO. It's only 4 years and then you never have to return to either city ever again.

 

[Jason K]

....... nor is that necessarily true that I will have to.

What makes you so sure of this?

 

[Blondiechick919]

You'll be better off in an accredited program over an unaccredited one. Established programs have curriculum down to a science and know exactly what to teach at each stage of your education to give you the best chance possible to pass boards. New programs will need time to get to this point and from what I have read about the new schools they are struggling with the curriculum (both in the classroom and in the clinic). Plus, accreditation is never a guarantee (no matter what mcphs admissions people told you). Go with the sure bet and pick SUNY or PCO. It's only 4 years and then you never have to return to either city ever again.

^ this. And if patients don't know about a clinic (basically, it opened THIS SUMMER) it will likely not be great. You CANNOT tell me MCPHS will have the same clinic experience as SUNY or PCO. It's simply impossible.

 

[ScramblerPpm]

^ this. And if patients don't know about a clinic (basically, it opened THIS SUMMER) it will likely not be great. You CANNOT tell me MCPHS will have the same clinic experience as SUNY or PCO. It's simply impossible.

No, I never claimed that it would be the same clinical experience.

 

[ScramblerPpm]

What makes you so sure of this?

What makes you so sure that I will have to "move far,far away"?

Once again, it doesn't matter to me if I have to move far away. Why are you focusing on this? That isn't my concern. Like I said, it is merely a convenience that it is close to home. Not a deciding factor. The location itself is ideal because the city seems safer, not because it is 3 hours away from where I am from.

 

[ScramblerPpm]

You'll be better off in an accredited program over an unaccredited one. Established programs have curriculum down to a science and know exactly what to teach at each stage of your education to give you the best chance possible to pass boards. New programs will need time to get to this point and from what I have read about the new schools they are struggling with the curriculum (both in the classroom and in the clinic). Plus, accreditation is never a guarantee (no matter what mcphs admissions people told you). Go with the sure bet and pick SUNY or PCO. It's only 4 years and then you never have to return to either city ever again.

Thanks for giving me an objective answer. 👍

 

[PinkCupcake]

No problem. I'm a teacher, that's what I do.

 

[OpticalBlackOut]

I am looking for thoughts on enrolling in the MCPHS optometry program over other accredited programs. I've been accepted at PCO and SUNY but I really can't see myself living in either city for 4 years. Worcester seems safer and more fitting for me as far as the city goes. Also it is closer to home. MCPHS is granted preliminary accreditation and based off of the success of their other programs, I feel like this school will be in the higher ranks once it becomes more established down the road. I know it is a gamble going to a school that is currently unaccredited, but it is almost guaranteed accreditation unless something goes terribly wrong. Any thoughts on enrolling in this program over others?

To me, it comes down to this.
Current and established ODs do not trust the new schools...most of them think there are too many schools as there is, and they will be your future employers.
Why should they hire you when there are many others vying for the same spot?

Of course, if you think you'll be starting cold or you already have job options lined up, then it's essentially the same degree if you pass all your boards.

 

[LifeHacker]

Honest Guide to MCPHS. This guide is really good. I wish I saw this when I was a first year, it would actually makes things so much easier.
http://www.tumblr.com/blog/mcphslifehack

 

[Optom2016]

Aight ya'll I'm late to the debate but as a first year optometry student at MCPHS I have to add my two cents. First off we are a new program not a new school. MCPHS was the first school in Boston and they wouldn't have invested the money into our program for nothing. Secondly, our teachers were chosen because of their experience and their connections. Dr. Register our Dean is also part of the Board of Accreditation, she obviously can't judge our school but she's inspected enough other schools to know what we need to not just pass but also succeed.

We may face some flak from ODs who are wary of a new school but I know that our clinical knowledge and skills will change their minds. We see patients 3 weeks into our first semester. We start small with case histories but over time we become proficient with more parts of the examination. Currently I am at the end of our first year and we are doing a proficiency in Gonioscopy next week! I doubt many (if any) other first years can say they have come so far. Alongside being able to actually work with patients, we gain an infinite amount of experience being in clinic and working alongside the doctors. We learn how to deal with various ocular diseases by working hands on and the experience we gain from each clinical session is immeasurable.

We do have a new clinic and it did take time to get patients through the door but we have worked out the kinks and patient flow is not a problem. Our location is Worcester allows us to see TONS of interesting cases because the city does have a lot of need especially for eye care.

PCO, SUNY, and NECO are all good schools but don't write us off right away just because we're "new". The attitude of my classmates will quickly show you that we all work hard and want to be the best. Please send me a message if you have any questions.