Question from lost pre-optometry student

[princesspinknes]

Hi! I just wanted to ask you guys in general why and how you chose whichever school you are currently at...I dont know if anyone is really going to respond, but if you have 2 minutes, it would really mean a lot. I'm currently applying for admission for Fall 2007 & I'm at a loss as to where to go, what I want, how can I decide what I want..etc..I don't even know how to narrow it down!! please help a lost pre-opt kid out. Thanks!

 

[Ben Chudner]

Hi! I just wanted to ask you guys in general why and how you chose whichever school you are currently at...I dont know if anyone is really going to respond, but if you have 2 minutes, it would really mean a lot. I'm currently applying for admission for Fall 2007 & I'm at a loss as to where to go, what I want, how can I decide what I want..etc..I don't even know how to narrow it down!! please help a lost pre-opt kid out. Thanks!

Cost of education!! You will get a great education at all of the schools in the states (I have no frame of reference for the Canadian schools or IAUPR). I would look to the schools in which you can receive your degree with the least amount of student loan debt.

 

[Elfego Baca]

I second Ben Chudner's opinion. Just go where it will be cheapest for you. If you're lucky enough to live in a state that has a state supported opometry school, go there. Or else, go to the place that gives you the most grant or scholarship money. If you have to go to an out-of-state state supported school, check and see how easy it is to get state residency. Some schools are much easier than others. Berkeley used to be fairly easy, but that may have changed. Student loan debt can be absolutely crushing to pay off. Figure out how much you're going to have to borrow and how much per month it will cost to pay off, and decide if going to a particular school (or any school) makes sense for you.

 

[iiiimonica]

good advice and if cost is the same, go to the school that gives you the best vibe. and by vibe i mean where you can see yourself for the next 4 years. but cost should be a huge factor

 

[MD2b20004]

good advice and if cost is the same, go to the school that gives you the best vibe. and by vibe i mean where you can see yourself for the next 4 years. but cost should be a huge factor

All good advice, I was just about to summarize what was already said by the other wise SDNers

 

[princesspinknes]

wow..it never even occurred to me to think of that..thanks you guys. do you have any advice on what schools are more clinical & what schools are more research? i keep trying to answer the question "why do you want to come here" & its juss so hard to answer..how did you begin researching what schools you were interested in?

 

[in_translation]

wow..it never even occurred to me to think of that..thanks you guys. do you have any advice on what schools are more clinical & what schools are more research? i keep trying to answer the question "why do you want to come here" & its juss so hard to answer..how did you begin researching what schools you were interested in?

Check out the schools' websites or send away for information. A lot of times you can tell the focus of a school (more clinical or research-based) by looking at their course offerings. If there are plenty of chances for laboratory research for credit, or if a school touts their research program or publications in its packets, then there's a clue. If they stress their state-of-the-art clinic and clinical preparation, then there's another. Obviously, all schools are going to try and stress their strong points in their propaganda, but if you look closely and critically, you can get some hints as to what to expect.

 

[r_salis]

Easy school or hard school = same degree. Plan accordingly.

 

[princesspinknes]

which schools are easy & which are hard?

 

[eyestrain]

which schools are easy & which are hard?

It's professional school, so they'll all be a little difficult at times. Like some of the other posters, I think you should go to which ever school is the cheapest for you.