PCO vs. NOVA

[Hitman99]

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Hi all,

I know there's been lots of threads regarding which school is better than which, but I'm just been accepted into NECO, PCO and NOVA. For me, after visiting all the campuses, I think my choice comes down to either PCO and NOVA.

I really like PCO's 2.5 year externship, as it results in students seeing about 3000 patients when all is said and done. For NOVA, the new technology is definitely impressive and the program itself seems good.

I was just wondering if anyone can give me some thoughts on which school they think is better.

Thanks.

 

[3eb4me]

Congratulations!
Why not NECO? What are you stats if you don't mind?

 

[ariel winter]

NECO all the way! i may be a bit biased though!

on a serious note, make a list of all the things you like/dislike about each school and rate them accordingly. you must follow what your heart feels right. i know you will make the choice best for yourself! good luck! 🙂

 

[Hitman99]

My stats are:

GPA: 3.36
OAT: 370 (science), 350 (AA)

 

[idoc2b]

where are you from? i've heard NOVA's new technology is very impressive and think it would be great to go to school in florida.

 

[Hitman99]

I'm from Canada - the cold!

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

H

Hi all,

I know there's been lots of threads regarding which school is better than which, but I'm just been accepted into NECO, PCO and NOVA. For me, after visiting all the campuses, I think my choice comes down to either PCO and NOVA.

I really like PCO's 2.5 year externship, as it results in students seeing about 3000 patients when all is said and done. For NOVA, the new technology is definitely impressive and the program itself seems good.

I was just wondering if anyone can give me some thoughts on which school they think is better.

Thanks.

Having worked with graduates of both I would say go to pco. I went to nova and know many people at nova, there part 1 pass rate is low 65%.

 

[SuperSara]

I'm from Canada - the cold!

Hey Hitman,
I'm from BC, Canada and I started at Nova this past August. It's the only school I applied to in the US, so I can't compare it to PCO but I'm really happy here. The environment is great, the facilities are new and full of technology and the education is what you make of it. I think if you study hard you'll be fine for the boards. I'm thrilled about my choice to come here!

 

[3eb4me]

Consider the class sizes. PCO has the biggest entering class of all the opt schools. 161 in 2005, whereas Nova had 95.

Also, consider the tuition 22k(Nova) vs 26k(PCO). The four year difference will be 16k dollars. I don't know about the living expenses for each school.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

Pco Is A Better School.

 

[KaBlamO]

Consider the class sizes. PCO has the biggest entering class of all the opt schools. 161 in 2005, whereas Nova had 95.

Also, consider the tuition 22k(Nova) vs 26k(PCO). The four year difference will be 16k dollars. I don't know about the living expenses for each school.

so what if it's 161. only like 30 people go to class anyways. 😛

 

[3eb4me]

so what if it's 161. only like 30 people go to class anyways. 😛

Kidding right?
Is this the same for all opt school?

 

[UABopt]

Kidding right?
Is this the same for all opt school?

LOL… no that is not the case everywhere. At UAB we go to class whether we want to or not… well most of us do anyway. Class attendance is required. Besides, missing pop quizzes would not be very good for one’s grade. That is part of what makes optometry school so rigorous, to me at least. You go to class and lab and clinic from 8 in the morning to 5 at night (some days even later... 7pm or so), and then you go home and study for the rest of the evening or stay at school and practice.

 

[gsinccom]

LOL… no that is not the case everywhere. At UAB we go to class whether we want to or not… well most of us do anyway. Class attendance is required. Besides, missing pop quizzes would not be very good for one’s grade. That is part of what makes optometry school so rigorous, to me at least. You go to class and lab and clinic from 8 in the morning to 5 at night (some days even later... 7pm or so), and then you go home and study for the rest of the evening or stay at school and practice.

what about at Pacific or SCCO or SCO? how does it compare to UABopt's experience and the PCO "need to attend" class experience? any takers from these other schools on the comparision?

 

[bellaluna]

PCO is in a better city, in my opinion. Ft. Lauderdale seemed to consist of malls and restaurants and people that were too happy. Give me dirty busy cities and changing seasons and people that are mean!

🙂

 

[MikeD]

I interviewed at both and chose PCO. I was concerned with NOVA's board pass rate and everything ran smoother during my interview at PCO.