Optometry School Dilemma -->HELP!!!

[SimpleS]

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I was once told by a non-SCO O.D. that, "There are good schools, but then there are great schools like SCO." My fiance (of 8 yrs) and I were accepted to ICO and PCO. I'm on the alternate list at SCO, but she didn't get in. I was told that my position on the list stands a good chance of attaining a seat. Both of us have always wanted to attend SCO ever since we decided to go into optometry. So I'm torn. She supports any decision I make and I know our relationship is strong enough to withstand a 4 yr separation, but is it worth it? Statistically SCO prepares their students very well for boards plus the cost of living and tuition is much cheaper. She is leaning towards Chicago. Education-wise I choose SCO, I would go to Chicago for her. Are the advantages of going to SCO great enough to make this sacrifice? Or am I fooling myself with my preconceived ideas about the schools, that there isn't much difference in the education I'll receive in any of these schools? How do these schools compare to you? I know it's my decision to make, but any input is much appreciated. Thank you everyone for your input!

(I don't mean to offend anyone with my comments about the schools. These are merely my opinions based only on my research. I apologize if I've offended anyone.)

 

[drbizzaro]

I was once told by a non-SCO O.D. that, "There are good schools, but then there are great schools like SCO." My fiance (of 8 yrs) and I were accepted to ICO and PCO. I'm on the alternate list at SCO, but she didn't get in. I was told that my position on the list stands a good chance of attaining a seat. Both of us have always wanted to attend SCO ever since we decided to go into optometry. So I'm torn. She supports any decision I make and I know our relationship is strong enough to withstand a 4 yr separation, but is it worth it? Statistically SCO prepares their students very well for boards plus the cost of living and tuition is much cheaper. She is leaning towards Chicago. Education-wise I choose SCO, I would go to Chicago for her. Are the advantages of going to SCO great enough to make this sacrifice? Or am I fooling myself with my preconceived ideas about the schools, that there isn't much difference in the education I'll receive in any of these schools? How do these schools compare to you? I know it's my decision to make, but any input is much appreciated. Thank you everyone for your input!

(I don't mean to offend anyone with my comments about the schools. These are merely my opinions based only on my research. I apologize if I've offended anyone.)

if you end up going to separate schools, you'll end up putting a huge strain on your relationship (even if it's perfect right now).

there have been multiple relationships and marraiges that have broken up because of optometry school, so you should be weary.

just do a search for "optometry" and "divorce", and you'll see that there were quite a few girls who went into optometry school married, and ended up divorced

just a warning, that's all. i'd say if the relationship is worth keeping, try to head to the same school

 

[sniklegem]

I go to SCO, but I must say that all of the school are great. Each has its own pros and cons, so look at all of them, and it seems that you have.

About your relationship... 8 years is a long time. If you all have spent that much time together then there's probably a reason you are making it work. Is it because you are around each other all the time, 24/7. Or have you all spent ANY time apart?

Try not to listen to the "facts", like 80% of all relationship you have coming into school end during school. I like to talk about the "stats", too, but every relationship is different. If it's worth it, then it'll work.

As an aside, there have been several people that I know personally who have met other optom students from other schools who started dating and ended up getting married after their respective graduations. 🙂

 

[qwopty99]

I was once told by a non-SCO O.D. that, "There are good schools, but then there are great schools like SCO." My fiance (of 8 yrs) and I were accepted to ICO and PCO. I'm on the alternate list at SCO, but she didn't get in. I was told that my position on the list stands a good chance of attaining a seat. Both of us have always wanted to attend SCO ever since we decided to go into optometry. So I'm torn. She supports any decision I make and I know our relationship is strong enough to withstand a 4 yr separation, but is it worth it? Statistically SCO prepares their students very well for boards plus the cost of living and tuition is much cheaper. She is leaning towards Chicago. Education-wise I choose SCO, I would go to Chicago for her. Are the advantages of going to SCO great enough to make this sacrifice? Or am I fooling myself with my preconceived ideas about the schools, that there isn't much difference in the education I'll receive in any of these schools? How do these schools compare to you? I know it's my decision to make, but any input is much appreciated. Thank you everyone for your input!

(I don't mean to offend anyone with my comments about the schools. These are merely my opinions based only on my research. I apologize if I've offended anyone.)

Absolutely no reason for you to spend 4 years apart just to get an SCO OD as opposed to an ICO OD.


Time and time again, the only thing you'll witness is that it is the individual, and not which institution they went to, that determines their success. If you're going to be a good OD, it's because you applied yourself and you care about the work you do. This is independent of the school you graduated from. Both schools will give you the didactic education you need to pass the boards. Whether you do or not, remains with you.

There are good ODs who come out of ICO, and there are bad ODs who come out of SCO. I'm sure there are folks who come out of SCO having just done the bare minimum, and practice optometry at a minimal or sub-minimal competence. I'm sure there are also hard working, dedicated optometrists who perform exceptionally well, who are graduates of ICO.

The point is, the school you attend won't determine your success as an optometrist. Even 1 year out of graduation, a committed, hardworking ICO grad will outperform (i.e. be a better optometrist than) a lazy SCO grad, even if there is some initial discrepancy in the "quality" of their educations, a fact that hasn't even been established yet. Even if we assume there is a discrepancy, someone who applies himself at ICO will probably learn more optometry at ICO than someone who does the minimum to get by at SCO.

I wouldn't make the "quality of education" at SCO the deciding factor.

 

[IndianaOD]

Hmm,

I've never head SCO was a "great school". That is a personal opinion.

My opinion: Berkely, IU, and OSU are the "great" schools.

 

[cunikki]

hahah yeah i dont know how to comment cause basically there are a lot of really good schools and all of which will give you a good education and when you graduate you will all be the same doctors. if you are planning on going to sco based on one persons opinion that it is better than ico that is just stupid.
if you went there to visit and felt that it was so much better than that is something to think about.
basically no one really cares at all where you went to school.... and where you went really will not have any effect on how successful you will be or your ability to get patients
if i were you and my relationship was really important i would go to the same school
but then again if your relationship was that important i dont think you would have spent 8 years without getting married? hehe just my personal opinion

 

[jc812]

Try going to the same school as your wifey.

You will be able to support one another, study together, share living costs, etc. If you end up going to different schools, then it would be a definite surprise you two would stay together at the end of the road.

It doesn't matter what school you go to. Sorry, but it is what it is!

 

[still_confused]

Don't worry if noone seems to think that SCO is a "great school" noone thought IU was a great school until we were properly informed.

 

[sniklegem]

but then again if your relationship was that important i dont think you would have spent 8 years without getting married?

HAHAHAHAHA
I totally thought this when I read the OP's post.

Again, though, all the schools are great in their own way. I've got friends at all the schools, and we all seem to complain about the same things (ugh, 2nd year), and praise the same things (GREAT faculty... mostly 😛).

 

[stevemc1]

Again, though, all the schools are great in their own way. I've got friends at all the schools, and we all seem to complain about the same things (ugh, 2nd year), and praise the same things (GREAT faculty... mostly 😛).

Dang...I got screwed at Houston. Specially 4th year Peds clinic.🙁

 

[IndianaOD]

Dang...I got screwed at Houston. Specially 4th year Peds clinic.🙁

Stephen,

Should have just waited for Incarnate Word for a real education!

 

[rpames]

I am a proud graduate of ICO. I guess I don't really rank the schools. SCO is a fine school...is it better than ICO, IU, Ohio...I don't think so. I got a great education at ICO. I passed all the boards the first time, and my class always had a better than average boards pass rate. In fact, 100% of my class passed part III (the clinical one) on the first shot!

Go with your girlfriend. But first, ASK HER TO MARRY YOU. My God man! Put together $1000 bucks and get a ring on her finger. Also, if you do pop the question, don't you dare spend a ton of money on that ring. You are both going to get plenty of debt in school. Put a big rock in the ring later.

 

[Jay12]

Hey rpames,

Seeing as your a recent graduate of ICO, do you have any advice for students who are going to start there this fall? (i.e. studying tips, living situation (RC), things to look out for, great places to eat nearby, etc....) thanks a bunch! 🙂

 

[SimpleS]

I appreciate everyone's input. If there's anything else anyone would like to add, please feel free to do so. The more input the better!
Here are some answers to the comments:
We're not together 24/7, but we haven't really been away from each other for long periods of time either. My fiance and I have been engaged for the 7 years, so she does have a ring on her finger. It's a mutual decision not to get married because of time and money as we were undergrads with full-time jobs and a house to pay for. It was either hold off for a wedding that we wanted, or go to the drive thu chapel on the Strip. So we decided to wait.

I have a question for ICO students or alumni. Is there any truth in the "weeding out" of students at ICO? And is ICO restructuring their curriculum to adjust to the changes the Boards are making? I would ask our student tour guides, but they didn't give us any contact info, and it's kinda hard get a hold of admissions, let alone have them answer the many questions I have. If we go to ICO I don't think we'd be living in the RC. How's the living situation outside the RC, is it cost-comparable? Any advice from ICO or SCO students and alum is much appreciated! Thanks again everyone!

 

[jefguth]

I appreciate everyone's input. If there's anything else anyone would like to add, please feel free to do so. The more input the better!
Here are some answers to the comments:
We're not together 24/7, but we haven't really been away from each other for long periods of time either. My fiance and I have been engaged for the 7 years, so she does have a ring on her finger. It's a mutual decision not to get married because of time and money as we were undergrads with full-time jobs and a house to pay for. It was either hold off for a wedding that we wanted, or go to the drive thu chapel on the Strip. So we decided to wait.

I have a question for ICO students or alumni. Is there any truth in the "weeding out" of students at ICO? And is ICO restructuring their curriculum to adjust to the changes the Boards are making? I would ask our student tour guides, but they didn't give us any contact info, and it's kinda hard get a hold of admissions, let alone have them answer the many questions I have. If we go to ICO I don't think we'd be living in the RC. How's the living situation outside the RC, is it cost-comparable? Any advice from ICO or SCO students and alum is much appreciated! Thanks again everyone!

There is no "weeding out." They are restructuring the curriculum, but mostly by moving courses around in the schedule. Personally, I think the RC is very expensive for what you get.

 

[EyeBaller]

Go to the same school.

 

[somnief]

.

 

[IndianaOD]

There is no "weeding out." They are restructuring the curriculum, but mostly by moving courses around in the schedule. Personally, I think the RC is very expensive for what you get.

Why would ICO "weed out?" As a private institution their motivation is $$$.

 

[cunikki]

holy cow! somnief! sounds like you have been burned in relationships 🙂 i was just commenting as a female that most females do not really enjoy being 'in a relationship' for 8 YEARS without it going somewhere. pretty much every long distance relationship i have seen in opt school has ended sometime during the first couple years
sorry for posting information... i didnt think that switching from dental school to opt school was a big deal? it certainly is not for this student.... im really not getting the point of why it would even bother you.. im just saying it happened

if you dont want to read peoples personal opinions what are you doing on a forum?

ps you dont know me and i am pretty sure that anyone who has ever seen me practice knows i will be an awesome doctor.... not that im sure how having opinions and being able to express my thoughts would make me a bad doctor????

 

[jefguth]

Why would ICO "weed out?" As a private institution their motivation is $$$.

No school, neither private nor public, would want to "weed out" large groups of students. No matter where the school gets their funding from the costs of provding the basic education will be very similar. The difference; public schools get large chunks of funding from the state to subsidize their programs. Loose a student and you loose a chunk of the state funding and the tuition fees.

What makes this even more critical is that a student that gets dropped from a professional program, such as optometry, cannot be replaced and represents a significant hole in funding, especially if they leave early in the program. For every student that doesn't make it to second year their is a future loss of at least $60,000.

So the question is, when are you going to give up this BS that private schools are just all the money. Realize that public schools collect commiserate fees from students and state subsidies.

 

[IndianaOD]

No school, neither private nor public, would want to "weed out" large groups of students. No matter where the school gets their funding from the costs of provding the basic education will be very similar. The difference; public schools get large chunks of funding from the state to subsidize their programs. Loose a student and you loose a chunk of the state funding and the tuition fees.

What makes this even more critical is that a student that gets dropped from a professional program, such as optometry, cannot be replaced and represents a significant hole in funding, especially if they leave early in the program. For every student that doesn't make it to second year their is a future loss of at least $60,000.

So the question is, when are you going to give up this BS that private schools are just all the money. Realize that public schools collect commiserate fees from students and state subsidies.

Because it's the private schools flooding the market with ODs. All the unnecessary new schools are private. There is no way to pressure a private school like we can a public school into change. I know a lot of people don't care, but almost all of the decent OD research comes from public schools.

Public universities IMHO care more about their reputation and quality of research than the private.

 

[somnief]

.

 

[SimpleS]

Thanks to all those that gave their input. I really appreciate all the different perspectives.

 

[DrSpontaneouz83]

As an ICO first year student, I wouldn't necessarily say it is a "weed out" school but people, such as myself, suffered from the IMMENSE amount of work. As a result of relationship problems, lack of focus, and thinking I will do fine on a test studying the night before..I was recently dropped from the program due to low grades. This is hard for me to swallow considering I had an impressive application entering the class. However, being out of school for 2 years before starting optometry school, it is safe to say your focus gets lost at times. At any rate, it is extremely important to remain focused. In my opinion, any school will be hard and the education at any school will lead you to passing the boards if you truly apply yourself. I believe the different percentages of the NBEO rates from different schools are a mixture of good students and bad students from each respective school. If I knew this beforehand, I would have gone to the cheapest school. P.S. be prepared for the high school mentality of people forming "clicks" in graduate school and egocentric personalities, it sadly doesn'y disappear.

 

[drbizzaro]

As an ICO first year student, I wouldn't necessarily say it is a "weed out" school but people, such as myself, suffered from the IMMENSE amount of work. As a result of relationship problems, lack of focus, and thinking I will do fine on a test studying the night before..I was recently dropped from the program due to low grades. This is hard for me to swallow considering I had an impressive application entering the class. However, being out of school for 2 years before starting optometry school, it is safe to say your focus gets lost at times. At any rate, it is extremely important to remain focused. In my opinion, any school will be hard and the education at any school will lead you to passing the boards if you truly apply yourself. I believe the different percentages of the NBEO rates from different schools are a mixture of good students and bad students from each respective school. If I knew this beforehand, I would have gone to the cheapest school. P.S. be prepared for the high school mentality of people forming "clicks" in graduate school and egocentric personalities, it sadly doesn'y disappear.

sorry to hear that bud! but it's true that first year for many schools is pretty killer! "cliques" are everywhere and many students act immature even in optometry school... same for the workplace too...

hope things turn around for you bud

 

[gochi]

I'd just like to say that if I were in this situation, I would attend SCO and my partner any other school because of the tuition discrepancy. You said SCO is cheaper relative to the other schools so i think saving 50% of your tuition would be better then a cohesive relationship. You guys can always see each other during breaks/holidays etc.

 

[JeffChou]

Forget about SCO. I don't think any school is as important as being with your fiance. Share a small place, pay for the extra cost, enjoy living together. You can give your money to optometry school, but don't give away your happiness.

 

[ML1983]

PCO's an awesome school. Loving every minute of it.

 

[gochi]

PCO's an awesome school. Loving every minute of it.

From what I have read, the only problem with PCO is the distance between the main campus and the clinic, which you use during your first year.

 

[Remalf]

It doesn't matter which school you go to. You'll end up selling Sno cones and frames at Wal Mart either way so go with whichever school is more convenient and/or cheap.