PCO vs NOVA

[jb4teen]

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Hi, I am in debate between PCO and NOVA. I was just wondering your guys opinions on the 2. Anything would help. If you had to pick between these 2, which would you pick and why? Also, I saw in another thread NOVA's boards were around 55%. Does anyone know PCO's passing rate? Even estimates would work. Thanx for the input.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

PCO is a much better school than NOVA.

 

[MikeD]

Hi, I am in debate between PCO and NOVA. I was just wondering your guys opinions on the 2. Anything would help. If you had to pick between these 2, which would you pick and why? Also, I saw in another thread NOVA's boards were around 55%. Does anyone know PCO's passing rate? Even estimates would work. Thanx for the input.

I interviewed at both places and I would definitely pick PCO because of the great faculty and the new curriculum that allows you 1-1/2 years of externships. Out of ICO, NOVA, SUNY, PCO allows you to see the most patients before you graduate.The Eye Institute is located not in the best part of town, but this will expose you to an array of visual problems and diseases. I dont think you will get that kind of exposure at the externship sites in Florida. Good Luck.

 

[r_salis]

(Just an FYI... SUNY is starting students seeing patients in clinic the summer after 2nd year starting this summer, so we'll be getting to see a few more patients than before... 😉 )

 

[KwijiboOO]

I interviewed at both places and I would definitely pick PCO because of the great faculty and the new curriculum that allows you 1-1/2 years of externships. Out of ICO, NOVA, SUNY, PCO allows you to see the most patients before you graduate.The Eye Institute is located not in the best part of town, but this will expose you to an array of visual problems and diseases. I dont think you will get that kind of exposure at the externship sites in Florida. Good Luck.

Yeah I agree, PCO may look dingy but I think they put out better prepared docs than NOVA. NOVA is pretty much schooling till your 3rd year but in PCO, you see patients the first week doing easy stuff so you'll be more comfortable around them. But NOVA's got the weather. mm mm mmmmmmm

 

[jb4teen]

I think I'm going to go against the tides. Overall, Nova fits me the best, from housing to tuition to location. I really like how they have classes with dentistry students. You'll meet so many people. Also, I like the school being on the campus with all the other Health Proffesions and Undergrads. PCO is kinda out by itself. It seems like you will have your optometry collegues and thats it. Which isn't bad, but I just think I'll be alot more comfortable going to school at Nova. The only downside is the education maybe better in PCO. But I know I’ll pass boards, I’ll work twice as hard if I have to. In the end everyone will optometrists and I don’t think it’ll be a huge deal where you got your degree.

 

[MikeD]

I think I'm going to go against the tides. Overall, Nova fits me the best, from housing to tuition to location. I really like how they have classes with dentistry students. You'll meet so many people. Also, I like the school being on the campus with all the other Health Proffesions and Undergrads. PCO is kinda out by itself. It seems like you will have your optometry collegues and thats it. Which isn't bad, but I just think I'll be alot more comfortable going to school at Nova. The only downside is the education maybe better in PCO. But I know I’ll pass boards, I’ll work twice as hard if I have to. In the end everyone will optometrists and I don’t think it’ll be a huge deal where you got your degree.

Yeah...I agree...its all about being comfortable and what school fits you the best 🙂

 

[JapAnime]

I think I'm going to go against the tides. Overall, Nova fits me the best, from housing to tuition to location. I really like how they have classes with dentistry students. You'll meet so many people. Also, I like the school being on the campus with all the other Health Proffesions and Undergrads. PCO is kinda out by itself. It seems like you will have your optometry collegues and thats it. Which isn't bad, but I just think I'll be alot more comfortable going to school at Nova. The only downside is the education maybe better in PCO. But I know I’ll pass boards, I’ll work twice as hard if I have to. In the end everyone will optometrists and I don’t think it’ll be a huge deal where you got your degree.

Actually, even if you did work hard at Nova and passed the boards, it's kinda useless. I am not in any way trying to be mean, but I have read your post and have asked a few optometrists which schools they think would be better...all of them gives PCO the thumbs up. They say that there's no point in going to a school that will not prepare you well clinically. They all agree that the more exposure you get to eye pathologies, the better OD you'll become. One of the optometrist (who is an ICO alumni) I spoke to said that if he were to ever hire a graduate from NOVA or PCO, he would hire the one from PCO. He feels that they would be more prepared. This might not always apply to everyone. You just might be a genious and will do fine if you go to NOVA. It is true that in the end everyone will obtain an OD degree regardless of where they went to school at. However, the experience is what makes a person. A lot of exposure builds on experience...and the more experience = more marketable. I hope this information helps you in your decision making.

 

[MRFREEZE]

There are many reasons to consider Nova. During the application process, I found the staff to be very helpful. The backgrounds of the faculty (as well as the students) are diverse. While many people may say that Nova has a long way to go, I have spoken with Optometrists who believe that the school is moving in the right direction. The patient base is extremely varied because of the location of the school. I believe that the ability to develop as a clinician doesn't depend completely on the number of patients you see, but, also, the quality of your experiences. Also, because Nova is still so new, it is looking to the future of Optometry to establish its reputation and not resting on its laurels. It is an exciting time for the school. Ultimately, it is just about which school feels right to you & where you think you will do best.

 

[KwijiboOO]

I know NOVA has wireless network throughout the school, does PCO?