PCO Summer Enrichment Program

[lil20102010]

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Hello,

I am invited to PCO's summer enrichment program and I am wondering if there is anybody who has gone through this program at PCO? How hard is it? What is the passing rate? If you pass, do they offer you a seat? Any info. will be helpful.

Thanks!
lil20102010

 

[dontlikephysics]

Hello,

I am invited to PCO's summer enrichment program and I am wondering if there is anybody who has gone through this program at PCO? How hard is it? What is the passing rate? If you pass, do they offer you a seat? Any info. will be helpful.

Thanks!
lil20102010

I asked the admissions counselor at PCO about this program and she told me that there is "no guarantee" of an interview if you complete this program and the admissions committee is blind to who goes through it.

 

[lil20102010]

I asked the admissions counselor at PCO about this program and she told me that there is "no guarantee" of an interview if you complete this program and the admissions committee is blind to who goes through it.

How about if your acceptance is depends upon successfully completing the SEP program??

 

[dontlikephysics]

How about if your acceptance is depends upon successfully completing the SEP program??

I haven't heard of anything like that before. But if they told you your successful completion of the SEP program will lead to acceptance then congrats to you, you should be good to go upon completion this summer.

 

[Eye Man]

As far as I am aware the program is offered to select individuals who are of minority, poverty or been out of school for some time. These individuals still have to apply to be enrolled into the program. Completion of the program doesn't result in automatically being accepted, but it does truly help. They will pay the tuition, books and give you a cramped place to live while they throw a condensed version of the first semester at you over the summer. I remember some older posts stating that people that successfully manage and pass the program either were accepted that year or the next.

I think that this is a cool program if you dont work and have the time. Its practically free and you get to know the faculty early as well as get a good portion of the first semester already done so when you go through it again it will all be refresher.

 

[dontlikephysics]

As far as I am aware the program is offered to select individuals who are of minority, poverty or been out of school for some time. These individuals still have to apply to be enrolled into the program. Completion of the program doesn't result in automatically being accepted, but it does truly help. They will pay the tuition, books and give you a cramped place to live while they throw a condensed version of the first semester at you over the summer. I remember some older posts stating that people that successfully manage and pass the program either were accepted that year or the next.

I think that this is a cool program if you dont work and have the time. Its practically free and you get to know the faculty early as well as get a good portion of the first semester already done so when you go through it again it will all be refresher.

No, it is actually for just anyone interested. You just have to get get accepted into the program. I was going to do it but I have already been offered acceptance elsewhere. The counselor said it will give you an idea of what optometry school curriculum is like, but not that it was for minorities, people who have been out of school for a while, etc. If you really want to go to optometry school it's a good option to try to do this program or a similar one at another optometry school. GL guys.

 

[FourEyedGirl]

I was told that you must receive an invitation to apply; as the invitations are extended on a case by case basis. Just wondering...has anyone ever applied to the SEP and not been accepted?

 

[iiis]

lil20102010,

Can I ask how you received an invitation to SEP? Did they review and invite you after you sent in your application?

 

[FourEyedGirl]

iiis,

I also received an invitation to the SEP program. In my OptomCas application, I explained my extenuating circumstances during undergrad. I believe this is why I was offered an invitation to apply for SEP. The invitation came in the form of an email - the email was sent to about 30 people, as I could see all the email addresses. I spoke with my friend, a graduate from PCO, who did the SEP program some years ago...she said that everyone in the program class (about 25 people) came from an underpriviledged background, minority group, or had been out of school for some years.


Hope this helps~

 

[iiis]

Thanks for your response, FourEyedGirl!

 

[OD4eyes]

Hi I was offer the SEP. I did send in the application already. However, I'm not 100% if I want to commit my last summer to studying. The main reason I do not want to do the program is for financial reasons. Yes, tuition and housing is free (food & transportation is not). However, I was anticipating on working the remaining of the summer. Even though it sounds beneficial, will it make a difference on how I perform 1st year? Will I have leg up? I believe that I will do well without the program but I also feel that I should do the program because I might regret it. I think completing this program will have no bearing on whether I succeed or not. It is just a step forward. Any opinions or experiences with the program? Please I welcome suggestions.

 

[Mewcakes]

I recommend skipping it. You are about to dive into 4 solid years of rigorous study. Unless you think you will struggle and would benefit from learning material twice, it would be a bummer to spend one of your last free summers studying. Optometry school will teach you everything you need to know, don't worry. It's like when people ask "what should I study in preparation for optometry school?". The overwhelming answer is "NOTHING! Go play in a lake or something, don't worry about school. They'll teach you everything you need to know when you get there". So unless you know that you in general have real troubles learning, I'd say kick back and relax! Go find a lake and subsequently play in it.