POP program at NOVA

[drummergirl1719]

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Hi everyone i have been recently offered the POP program at NOVA but i don't know if it's worth it. can anybody that is currently in this program tell me a little bit about it. i also dont have the money for it. please tell anything you can tell me about this program.
thanks

 

[Taven7755]

I would say that it is all about your life situation and expectations. If you can get into another program THIS year, then you'd be crazy to take 5 years to do something you can get in 4. If this is your only option, and other circumstances make a full load imposing, then it may be a good option.

The problem is that you will have a lot of pressure on you to do REALLY well in your 1st year classes. As someone that went through that last year, I can tell you that there are 3-4 classes in which getting an A (which is required to not take it again) is next to impossible. With this said, people do get it done, and this gives you a much lessened work load in your second year. I hope this helps. Feel free to ask away if you have more questions.

 

[shal43]

Hi, I am in a similar situation and spoke to NOVA today. I haven't been accepted anywhere for Fall of 2011, so I was considering the POP program as well since I was offered earlier today.

If anyone has participated in this program, I would like to hear more details!
A few questions if anyone can answer them:

1.) I heard you have to maintain a 3.0 gpa while enrolled in this program for the first year. is that true?
2.) Approximately how many credit hours are taken each semester for the POP program?
3.) Any specific classes that you may be aware of
4.) Tuitions?

 

[BrownEyes2011]

You take around 4 1st year Optometry classes and 1 math class (from NSU's Undergrad) during your first semester. You take 3 1st year Optometry classes and 1 speech/writing class (undergrad) and Optics (undergrad) in your second semester.

If you have no other options for a 4-year OD program, this program is great. Gives you a chance to prove yourself to NSU. The success rate is very high (39 out of the 40 who have done POP thus far have been successful). You have to get a 3.0 overall (this include your OD classes AND undergrad). Point blank...if you want to do Optometry...you'll do anything to get you there, right? Go POP if you have no other choice. 🙂

 

[shal43]

Thank you so much for giving us information on the program Browneyed 🙂

If anyone has any idea what the process is for the program please reply! As well as any information on tuitions

 

[physicslover]

Do you apply directly into the program? Or are you given it as an option if you don't get in to the OD program?

 

[shal43]

It's not something you can directly apply to. I haven't seen it anywhere on the website, but NOVA offers it on a personal basis I think?

 

[nc2tarheels]

the program seems kind of odd. Why would you pay an extra $20-30k on tuition for a year of opto school that you won't need? I mean, you could get a full time job in your hometown, retake the oat (assuming this is the reason you didn't get in), and apply again next year. You'll have an entire year to retake the OAT and there's NO WAY you won't get in if you only work and study. I'm assuming you're done with a bach too.

 

[BrownEyes2011]

the program seems kind of odd. Why would you pay an extra $20-30k on tuition for a year of opto school that you won't need? I mean, you could get a full time job in your hometown, retake the oat (assuming this is the reason you didn't get in), and apply again next year. You'll have an entire year to retake the OAT and there's NO WAY you won't get in if you only work and study. I'm assuming you're done with a bach too.

You could do that. Sure. You actually pay around $18k and it helps out because if you pass those OD classes with a 90 or better, you are exempt from taking that class when you enter 1st year. And most people who do this program end up exempting from at least 1 or 2 classes, if not most (some all!). If you're willing to spend the money to "secure" your spot, then go for it.

 

[Taven7755]

I understand the desire to feel like you have "made it" into op school, so I get why people would want to do it....with this said, I would exhaust every resource to avoid it. My two cents is that IF you really feel strongly that you can do this, I would not do a POP program here. If your OAT could get better, go to a local school and get some A's, etc, I would do that. The money part is secondary.....the fact is that you will spend 2 years taking your 20 or so 1st year classes, and at this school those classes are horrendously time consuming and difficult. It is easy to say that you are in and that is all that matters, but sitting in our SO FUN optics class for 2 years, the same place you were the year before, that could get to be drudgery. Signing up for 3 years of that hell (I am a 2nd year now) would not be something you want to do if you can avoid it. I am only telling you what you would be telling yourself in 3 years time....

Here is what I can say about the first 2 years here....get them over with!