Please help i am bogged down between two schools

[diams]

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Hey Everyone,
I believe since this forrum is for students already in optometry school i thought i would ask you which school should i choose to go to since i can't decide on my own.I got accepted in ICO,PCO,NOVA and NECO.I am really bogged down which one to go to ICO or PCO.If you all know anything about these two schools please feel free to share it with me ...what are the advantages and disadvantages for both schools.Anxiously waiting for y'alls replies.

 

[4eyed]

Hey!

Now that I'm accepted to PCO and ICO .. I'm confused as well. I know at PCO 50% of your experience is in the clinc, but at ICO do you get enough clincal experience? PCO begins externships a half a year earlier. For ICO, you go on exterships in your 4th year and must stay two quarters at ICO. Those of you attending these schools... could you shed some light on the clinical experience aspect of each schools?

How about the quarter system verses the semester system? I would think that the quarter system(ICO) might be a better way to divide the intense amount of information. What do you all think?

For ICO, the RC is something that shouts convenience. Having the Eye Institute and the main building right across the street is something that would reduce stress.. At PCO, the clinic is about 3-5 minutes from the main building and they don't have any dorms(though the colonaide is right across the street) At ICO, the students living in the dorm sometimes get together and do things in the city for a break.

Thanks for bringing up this post diams!

 

[Opii]

Just my personal opinion.
1. PCO
2. ICO
3. NECO
4. NOVA

 

[rani82]

Hi Opii,

I have yet to take the OAT and am hoping I get into ICO or NOVA - just wondering - why would you rank NOVA last?

You input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[diams]

Now it seems like PCO is better but in terms of the boards and preparation for the boards can somebody tell me whether PCO prepares students for the Boards.Also what do you guys think of Michighan College of Optometry is it better than any of the four i mentioned PCO,ICO,NOVA,NECO.
But whatever it is you guys can think of please please let me know....PCO vs ICO vs MCO

P.S. a side note to Rani (whoever asked about why NOVA should be the last) its probably because they are new and their clinic is fairly small than the other schools and i don't like the idea of sharing my freshmen year classes with pharmacy,dentistry,osteopathic and god knows what other doctored professional students.I felt like i would not get much out of those clases and teh tuition is kinda a lot...that's my take.
diams

 

[blazenmadison]

Hey Everyone,
I believe since this forrum is for students already in optometry school i thought i would ask you which school should i choose to go to since i can't decide on my own.I got accepted in ICO,PCO,NOVA and NECO.I am really bogged down which one to go to ICO or PCO.If you all know anything about these two schools please feel free to share it with me ...what are the advantages and disadvantages for both schools.Anxiously waiting for y'alls replies.

PCO is an expanding school. They started an audiology program with a DDS in charge and just recently Physician assistant program headed up by a DVM. It was rumored PCO is changing names. Does anyone think they're losing focus on optometry?

 

[Opii]

Hi Opii,

I have yet to take the OAT and am hoping I get into ICO or NOVA - just wondering - why would you rank NOVA last?

You input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

If location isn't a factor, these are the reasons why I placed them in that order.

1. PCO - Is one of the oldest schools around. It has produced lots of leaders in our profession. It has about a 78% pass rate on Part I. It is a well rounded school, all aspects such as diseases, binocular vision, etc... are well emphasised.
2. ICO - Is a well rounded school. The pass rate on Part I is up there in the 70's or higher. (look up passing rates in other threads, I don't exactly remember).
3. NECO - It has a 50-60% pass rate. Binocular Vision isn't emphisized much in the program overall although I have heard good things about the BV professor himself.
4. NOVA - It is the newest school. From my observations I have seen that the newer the school the more "kinks" they have to work out to make it a strong school. As mentioned above you would take first year with pharmacology students and other diciplines. So the lectures aren't written with the Optometry boards specifically in mind by the lecturers but rather a more general type of lecture on the subject matter. It has about a 50% pass rate on the NBEO part 1. The good thing about NOVA is the location. You'll never get bored, and they do have strong residency programs such as Bascom Palmer.

I don't know much about Michigan's optometry school.

But you know the saying... "It's what you make of it"

 

[Opii]

PCO is an expanding school. They started an audiology program with a DDS in charge and just recently Physician assistant program headed up by a DVM. It was rumored PCO is changing names. Does anyone think they're losing focus on optometry?

I hope not. Those are alot of subjects to tackle.

 

[DrSpontaneouz83]

ICO begins its clinical experience the 2nd year, but you're doing more observing. I interviewed at PCO and was turned off by their facilities and eye clinic...it kind of led me to choose ICO. I heard both are great schools though and prepare their students well in their clinical education. Most ODs I've worked with say both schools are about 50/50 but I was not impressed with Philly so went with Chicago (p.s. the people there were super nice).

 

[Katalio]

Hey!

Now that I'm accepted to PCO and ICO .. I'm confused as well. I know at PCO 50% of your experience is in the clinc, but at ICO do you get enough clincal experience? PCO begins externships a half a year earlier. For ICO, you go on exterships in your 4th year and must stay two quarters at ICO. Those of you attending these schools... could you shed some light on the clinical experience aspect of each schools?

How about the quarter system verses the semester system? I would think that the quarter system(ICO) might be a better way to divide the intense amount of information. What do you all think?

For ICO, the RC is something that shouts convenience. Having the Eye Institute and the main building right across the street is something that would reduce stress.. At PCO, the clinic is about 3-5 minutes from the main building and they don't have any dorms(though the colonaide is right across the street) At ICO, the students living in the dorm sometimes get together and do things in the city for a break.

Thanks for bringing up this post diams!

Hi there,

Just want to clarify something about PCO housing. PCO does not have dorms at all, so bascially you have to find housing yourself. There is the Colonade (2 buildings, Mannor and Estate) and Wyncote House (5 mins walk, 1-2 mins drive). Those two are the closest to the school, but there are other housings such as Trilogy or Lynwood Gardens that you may consider.

The Eye Institute takes a bit more than 3-5 mins to get there from PCO. I would say around 10 minutes without traffic and 15 with traffic. (Unless there is some short cuts that I was never aware 🙂 )

As for clinical Aspect, bascially here is an overview on what PCO students do,

1st yr 1 term --> Observing 3rd year students x 6 times.
1st yr 2nd term --> Observing 2nd year students x 12 times, sometimes they perform VA taking, lensometry work.
2nd yr 1st term --> Follow 3rd year students around once/week doing refraction, external test etc
2nd yr 2nd term --> You bascially perform primary care with 1st years helping you with some minor stuff. Also, you rotate around other sections including Emergency, Optical dispensing, Low Vision, Visual field testing etc. Some of those you need to do, some you observe 4th yr.

Hmm... I believe primary care carries thru all the way till you leave for Externship at Decemeber.

 

[sethuel1]

ICO begins its clinical experience the 2nd year, but you're doing more observing. I interviewed at PCO and was turned off by their facilities and eye clinic...it kind of led me to choose ICO. I heard both are great schools though and prepare their students well in their clinical education. Most ODs I've worked with say both schools are about 50/50 but I was not impressed with Philly so went with Chicago (p.s. the people there were super nice).

At ICO you have observing the first year, once a quarter