OSU vs. PCO --- I need help!

[JPink82]

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I will be entering as class of 2010 in the fall...I have been accepted to 3 schools so far and am choosing between OSU and PCO. I really don't know which to pick, can someone help me out and give me some advice? I live close to PCO, but I don't think that's a good reason to pick the school ---- HELP! Any advice or comments will be appreciated!!

 

[hviz]

I will be entering as class of 2010 in the fall...I have been accepted to 3 schools so far and am choosing between OSU and PCO. I really don't know which to pick, can someone help me out and give me some advice? I live close to PCO, but I don't think that's a good reason to pick the school ---- HELP! Any advice or comments will be appreciated!!

Here is my partial perspective:

Where are you planning to practice when you're done with school? Ohio optometrists make more, on average, than those in PA.

Is tuition a problem for you? It's very expensive for out-of-staters going to osu...but i think you can get residency after one year.

At OSU, they won't hold your hand through the learning process. You have to be ready to seek out your own resources and ask around for help. However, this "tough love" has proven effective, for OSU students consistently score above average passage rates throughout the years.

As you know, the buildings are kind of outdated...but it's a plus to be immersed in the whole college experience of attending a big 10 school.

In conclusion, come to OSU and join me! 😀

 

[JPink82]

Here is my partial perspective:

Where are you planning to practice when you're done with school? Ohio optometrists make more, on average, than those in PA.

Is tuition a problem for you? It's very expensive for out-of-staters going to osu...but i think you can get residency after one year.

At OSU, they won't hold your hand through the learning process. You have to be ready to seek out your own resources and ask around for help. However, this "tough love" has proven effective, for OSU students consistently score above average passage rates throughout the years.

As you know, the buildings are kind of outdated...but it's a plus to be immersed in the whole college experience of attending a big 10 school.

In conclusion, come to OSU and join me! 😀

Tuition isn't a problem for me, but I did look up income status for Ohio vs. PA and Ohio is definitely higher! And the board passing rate the first time is 92% OSU vs. 79% PCO...which is a big difference...Thanks for the info. So are what year are you at OSU? Maybe I'll see you there!

 

[Hines302]

If Tuition is not a problem... then go to OSU! The first year tuition cost was the only thing keeping me from attending OSU... and I decided to bite the bullet anyways because I was so impressed with OSU's program. Here are some of the reasons I chose OSU:

1. I plan to earn my OD/MS degree... and the opportunity to participate in research.
2. OSU's program (and OSU in general) is just much bigger and more well known. Why its true that anywhere you go to school you will be a great Optometrist... I think there are many more opportunities at OSU to get involved.
3. The buisness ciriculum at OSU impressed me (anyone who interviewed there knows that they place a large emphasis on this). Non of the other schools adressed this issue.
4. The chance to attend such a great university like OSU. OSU's Optometry porgram (as you have pointed out) is one of the top in the country with respect to enterting class profiles (GPA and OAT) and in first time board passing rates.
5. Everyone that I have talked to at OSU have been really nice and helpful. You can tell that they are all very passionate about the profession.

Hope this helps!

 

[sweetzpassion]

HEy congrads on getting into PCO and OSU 👍 JPink82. Sorry, to change your topic but i had a question that when did u hear from PCO. When did u interview , i am asking beocz i had an interview early this month and i haven't heard anything from them.
Thanks Reply soon

 

[ML1983]

HEy congrads on getting into PCO and OSU 👍 JPink82. Sorry, to change your topic but i had a question that when did u hear from PCO. When did u interview , i am asking beocz i had an interview early this month and i haven't heard anything from them.
Thanks Reply soon

I heard back 2 weeks later. My interview was on Dec. 2, I heard back Dec. 15.

 

[JPink82]

HEy congrads on getting into PCO and OSU 👍 JPink82. Sorry, to change your topic but i had a question that when did u hear from PCO. When did u interview , i am asking beocz i had an interview early this month and i haven't heard anything from them.
Thanks Reply soon

I interviewed at PCO on 1/3/06, and heard back in like 4 weeks. You will get a letter saying that they will make a decision within 3-4 weeks (which is the longest wait period in all of the schools I interviewed at...). But don't worry, PCO generally take longer than other schools, GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[JPink82]

If Tuition is not a problem... then go to OSU! The first year tuition cost was the only thing keeping me from attending OSU... and I decided to bite the bullet anyways because I was so impressed with OSU's program. Here are some of the reasons I chose OSU:

1. I plan to earn my OD/MS degree... and the opportunity to participate in research.
2. OSU's program (and OSU in general) is just much bigger and more well known. Why its true that anywhere you go to school you will be a great Optometrist... I think there are many more opportunities at OSU to get involved.
3. The buisness ciriculum at OSU impressed me (anyone who interviewed there knows that they place a large emphasis on this). Non of the other schools adressed this issue.
4. The chance to attend such a great university like OSU. OSU's Optometry porgram (as you have pointed out) is one of the top in the country with respect to enterting class profiles (GPA and OAT) and in first time board passing rates.
5. Everyone that I have talked to at OSU have been really nice and helpful. You can tell that they are all very passionate about the profession.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for your comments/opinions --- I am really leaning more towards attending OSU!! And I totally agree, everyone I've kept in touch with from OSU have been super nice and helpful. Perhaps we'll meet when school starts! Yay 🙂

Altho, I was equally impressed with PCO's business curriculum. I got to talk about that curriculum during my interview there and it seemed really good, too.


....So, what is it like to live in Ohio???

 

[hviz]

I will be attending OSU this fall also 🙂

Life is Ohio is okay...I've lived here almost all my life so don't find it very exciting but you'll probably like it a lot because it's something new.

First off, the shopping here is great (one of the main reason I chose OSU over IU lol)....there are delicious restaurant chains from italian to sushi...the nightlife is getting wayyy better with 3 nice clubs opening up in the past year (plus tons of house parties, but that was so freshman year)....and did i mention the food?

Oh yeah, the people are nice too =)

 

[poohhairt]

HEy congrads on getting into PCO and OSU 👍 JPink82. Sorry, to change your topic but i had a question that when did u hear from PCO. When did u interview , i am asking beocz i had an interview early this month and i haven't heard anything from them.
Thanks Reply soon

I interviewed last Friday and received my acceptance email on Tuesday.

 

[Angelstar]

I will be attending OSU this fall also 🙂

Life is Ohio is okay...I've lived here almost all my life so don't find it very exciting but you'll probably like it a lot because it's something new.

First off, the shopping here is great (one of the main reason I chose OSU over IU lol)....there are delicious restaurant chains from italian to sushi...the nightlife is getting wayyy better with 3 nice clubs opening up in the past year (plus tons of house parties, but that was so freshman year)....and did i mention the food?

Oh yeah, the people are nice too =)

You made a good choice. PCO is one of the worst schools .

 

[ML1983]

You made a good choice. PCO is one of the worst schools .

Ugh...and why do you say that?

 

[Angelstar]

Ugh...and why do you say that?

go to www.opted.org
Check the average OAT score and the average GPA for PCO

I have been told by many PCO graduates/students that PCO is not a good school. If you want to know why they think that, you can contact me via private messages. I do not want to start a fire thread.

 

[JPink82]

go to www.opted.org
Check the average OAT score and the average GPA for PCO

I have been told by many PCO graduates/students that PCO is not a good school. If you want to know why they think that, you can contact me via private messages. I do not want to start a fire thread.

Well, I've made up my mind --- I will be attending OSU, class of 2010! 🙂

Anyways, Angelstar, are you going to OSU?

I haven't heard bad things about PCO, although, I do admit that they do have rather lower GPA and OAT scores --- but they are great when it comes to clinical experience. Anyways, I do believe that it all depends on how a student will turn out once he/she enters an optometry school, no matter what school it is...

I'm just happy I've made up my mind!! Here I come, OHIO STATE!